About

The RADIANT (Research, AI, Data Innovation, and New Technologies) track at the University of Notre Dame is an intensive 12-day Leadership Seminar (July 18 – July 29, 2026) that immerses academically gifted rising high school seniors in data science and artificial intelligence. Guided by faculty from the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society and supported by iTREDS scholars, the curriculum focuses on R programming, data visualization, and machine learning basics. Students use real-world datasets to address societal challenges, such as misinformation and climate change, within a framework of responsible innovation.

As a premier Leadership Seminar, the program is highly competitive—admitting only a small global cohort—and covers the full cost of tuition, housing, and meals. Participants are eligible to earn one transferable Notre Dame college credit upon completion. Instruction blends hands-on workshops with ethical discussions on the societal impact of technology, culminating in a final capstone project. Unlike introductory workshops, RADIANT functions as an applied analytical apprenticeship where students engage with contemporary methodological tools and quantitative reasoning.

To be eligible for the 2026 cohort, applicants must be current juniors (entering their senior year in Fall 2026) and at least 16 years old by August 1. The application requires a transcript, counselor report, teacher recommendation, and two essays; the submission deadline is January 21, 2026. While standardized tests are optional, they are encouraged to demonstrate quantitative evidence. This program is designed for student leaders who wish to leverage data science for social good, offering a prestigious, credit-bearing entry point into the world of AI and computational research.