Onward Fellowship - World's First G&T Prep for Grades 5-12
Onward Fellowship is the world's first Gifted & Talented (G&T) prep program for Grades 5-12. Harvard student mentors guide small cohorts (1 mentor : 20 students) through a project-based curriculum. Every student finishes with a portfolio piece, a live Demo Day presentation to industry judges, and a Certificate of Completion. Sessions are 2 hours, live on Zoom, weekly. Programs run as 6-week online programs or 10-week extended terms.
Pathways
- Creative Writing - Narrative craft using Will Storr's "Flaw & Change" framework. Flagship pathway.
- STEM & Innovation (STEAM for Junior) - Project-based science, technology, engineering, arts, math. Mars-mission narrative for Junior.
- AI & Entrepreneurship - Build a real AI-powered product with the Fellowship no-code stack (Lovable, Base44, Canva AI, Brand-in-a-Box, AI Pitch Writer). Dreamer / Builder / Founder progression.
- Communication & Leadership - Storytelling, debate, advocacy campaigns, public speaking.
- Sustainability - Verified case studies (Ecosia, Patagonia) and competition prep (ISEF).
- Test Prep - AI-tutor supported, trap-pattern based.
Programs
Partner schools and programs
More programs
- Young Debaters Fellowship | 3-Weekend Intensive, Harvard student mentors - A 3-weekend online debate intensive for Grades 8-12. Structured argumentation, rebuttal, delivery and a final debate competition with Harvard student mentors. USD 599.
- Future Entrepreneurs Fellowship | 3-Weekend Intensive, Harvard student mentors - A 3-weekend online entrepreneurship intensive for Grades 8-12. Build an MVP with AI tools, design a Business Model Canvas, and pitch to Harvard student mentors. USD 599.
- Accelerated Leadership Program | Onward - A three-day immersive Student Leadership & Governance Council for Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12, led by Harvard student mentors.
- Advanced Leadership Program (Online) | Onward - A three-weekend online Student Leadership & Governance Council for Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12, led by Harvard student mentors.
- Communication & Leadership - 3-Weekend Live Program | Onward - A three-weekend live program on Zoom for Grades 6-8 and 9-12, led by Harvard student mentors. Six two-hour sessions, project-based, with a judged showcase finale.
- Quantum Machine Learning Program for Grades 8-12 | Onward - A hands-on 3-weekend online quantum machine learning program for Grades 8 to 12. Write real code in Python and PennyLane and build a team quantum classifier.
- Future Changemakers Fellowship | 3-Weekend Intensive, Harvard student mentors - A 3-weekend online fellowship for Grades 8-12 to design a real social impact project with Harvard student mentors. USD 599.
- Week Without Walls | Harvard student mentors on your campus - A 5-day in-school enrichment week led by Harvard student mentors. Choose from HPAIR Leadership, Pre-Med, Pre-Law, Debate, AI, and a London start-up internship - delivered on your school's campus.
- Onward × Cognita Group | Online program led by Harvard student mentors - A 6-week online Harvard student mentor-led program for Cognita students worldwide. 6 pathways: Communication, STEM, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, AI, Finance. Grades 6-12. USD 399/student.
Mentors
All mentors are current Harvard undergraduates and are described as Harvard student mentors or Harvard student-led. Concentrations represented include Computer Science, Economics, Government, Statistics, Applied Math, English, History, Molecular & Cellular Biology, and Engineering Sciences. Every mentor completes cross-cultural mentoring training before leading a cohort.
Methodology
- Onward Creator Cycle: Wonder, Investigate, Imagine, Build, Show, mapped to 8 core exit competencies.
- Weekly student loop: Learn, Study, Watch, Do.
- Skills Intelligence System: 20-skill taxonomy with an 8-level rubric and per-skill mastery score (0-100). Weighting: Level 40%, Freshness 25%, Velocity 20%, Consistency 15%.
- Capstone formats: 5-Day Summit, 3-Day Intensive, 1-Day Showcase, or Virtual Showcase.
Program specifications
- Grade ranges: Junior Grades 5-8, Senior Grades 9-12
- Mentor ratio: 1:20
- Session length: 2 hours, live on Zoom, weekly
- Program Fee (6-Week Online Program): USD 349-399
- Outcome: portfolio piece + Demo Day + Certificate of Completion
- Application: two steps. Submit the application form, then pay.
Partners
HPAIR - Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations; HUSO - Harvard Undergraduate Society of Outdoors; WiCS - Women in Computer Science (Harvard); Next Billion Lab - venture-building partner for the Entrepreneurship Olympiad; Base44 - vibe coding tools for the Fellowship AI & Entrepreneurship pathway; Gavel - debate / leadership content partner.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is this program for?
- High-aspiring students in Grades 5-12. Junior cohort covers Grades 5-8; Senior cohort covers Grades 9-12.
- Is the program fully online?
- Most regional programs are fully online via live Zoom, with the Demo Day held online. Selected programs, such as Onward Brazil Scholars, include an in-person intensive capstone.
- How long are the sessions?
- Sessions are 2 hours, live on Zoom, weekly. Programs run as 6-week online programs or 10-week extended terms.
- What is the mentor-to-student ratio?
- 1 mentor : 20 students. This ratio is fixed across every cohort.
- Who are the mentors?
- Current Harvard student mentors lead each pathway. Concentrations represented include Computer Science, Economics, Government, Statistics, Applied Math, English, and Molecular & Cellular Biology. All mentors complete cross-cultural mentoring training.
- What does my child finish with?
- A completed portfolio piece (essay, AI product with pitch deck, STEM prototype, or leadership campaign), a live Demo Day presentation, a Certificate of Completion, and competition submission guidance.
- What is the Program Fee?
- For the 6-Week Online Program, the Program Fee is USD 349-399 depending on cohort. Scholarship codes may be available. Regional and school-partner programs are priced separately.
- How does this fit my child's school schedule?
- Live sessions run on weekends or inside school enrichment periods. Designed for zero school disruption.
- Will my child receive a certificate?
- Yes. Students receive a Certificate of Completion.
- Is there homework?
- Light project work between sessions, structured by the Learn, Study, Watch, Do framework.
- How are pathways differentiated by age?
- Junior (Grades 5-8) uses STEAM branding and visual / narrative scaffolding. Senior (Grades 9-12) goes deeper into AI & Entrepreneurship and analytical work.
- What competitions can my child enter?
- Recommended competitions are listed in the Competitions Library at https://joinonwards.com/competitions-library, including ISEF for Sustainability and the Entrepreneurship Olympiad through Next Billion Lab.
- How do schools partner with Onward?
- Through the Onward-Managed delivery model - zero teacher workload, weekend Zoom or enrichment-period delivery, co-branded materials.
Resources and guides
- Gifted and Talented Programs: A Complete Parent Guide - What G&T programs are, the four main types, how they run, what they cost, and how to judge one before enrolling.
- Do Gifted and Talented Programs Help with College Admissions? - What admissions officers actually read, how a gifted program can and cannot help, and why a finished project matters more than the program name.
- Is My Child Gifted? A Parent's Guide to IQ and Talent Testing - How gifted identification works, what IQ scores measure and miss, how the main talent tests compare, and what to do once you suspect your child is gifted.
- All resources and guides
- LinkedIn Playbook for High School Students | Onward Fellowship - A free LinkedIn masterclass for high school students: an interactive profile checklist, copy-paste AI prompts, real post examples and a 30-day posting plan.
- Blog
- AI Project Ideas for High School Students: 10 to Build - Here are 10 AI project ideas high school students can build, the tools to use, and how to turn one into a portfolio piece for applications. Published October 23, 2026.
- WISC vs. CogAT: Which Gifted Test Is Right for Your Child? - WISC and CogAT measure different things. Learn what each test shows, who gives it, and what to ask before booking one for your child. Published October 17, 2026.
- How to Prepare for ISEF: What Judges Actually Look For - Thinking about ISEF? Learn how the fair works, how projects are judged, and how to start a first project as a high school student. Published October 13, 2026.
- Free vs. Paid AI Competitions for Teens: Which Is Worth It? - Free competitions cost nothing; paid programs add mentors and structure. Here's how to decide what's worth it for your teen. Published October 7, 2026.
- Does the International Math Olympiad Help Admissions? - Does the International Math Olympiad help admissions? Learn how officers read it, what counts at each level, and where younger students can start. Published September 22, 2026.
- Public Speaking Classes for Teens: A Parent's Guide - Looking for public speaking classes for teens? Learn what separates real practice and feedback from filler, and how to help your teenager start. Published September 19, 2026.
- Math for Gifted Students: Challenge Them at Home - Is your child racing ahead in math class? Here are practical ways to challenge a gifted young mathematician at home and beyond. Published September 15, 2026.
- All blog posts
Key pages
- About
- How It Works
- Outcomes
- Pathways overview
- For Schools
- Get Started
- Partners
- Project Library
- Competitions Library
- Onward LaunchPad (AI Founders Challenge)
- FAQ - Onward LaunchPad - Answers about the Onward LaunchPad program, curriculum, competition format, fees and scholarships.
- Prizes - Onward LaunchPad - Cash prizes, mentorship, certificates and recognition for Onward LaunchPad finalists.
- What Students Learn, Week by Week | Onward LaunchPad - The 10-week Onward LaunchPad curriculum: AI concepts, the tools students learn (ChatGPT, Claude, Lovable and more), weekly deliverables and how each is assessed.
- Mentors - Onward LaunchPad - Meet the mentorship model behind Onward LaunchPad: Harvard student mentors, small cohorts, and weekly office hours.
- Brand Guidelines
- Gifted and Talented Programs for Grades 5-12 | Onward - Browse gifted and talented programs for grades 5-12: an online gifted program with Harvard undergraduate mentors, small cohorts and project-based pathways.
- Student Showcases | Onward Fellowship - Explore student project showcases from Onward Fellowship partner schools - Kings' School Al Barsha, Dunalastair School, ADNOC Schools and Onward Brazil Scholars.
- The Lab - Student Projects · Future AI Leaders Fellowship - A directory of real AI products built by Future AI Leaders Fellowship students - name, description, student, and grade.
- Onward Curriculum Platform | 9-Term Program for Grades 6-8 - A 9-term curriculum platform for schools and families. Replaces exam prep with '9 Real Things' across STEM, Writing, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership.
- Blog
- Mentors
- Masterclasses
- Support Our Mission