Fields like diplomacy, global policy, international law, and political science all rely on understanding how countries interact with each other. If you are considering studying any of these areas in college, exploring international relations during high school can be an excellent first step.
Research programs allow you to examine global issues in a structured way. You start to understand how international systems work, how policies are debated, and how researchers analyze global problems.
Why should you choose a research program?
A research program introduces you to the way academic research actually works. You learn how to study complex topics, evaluate sources, and explain your conclusions clearly. For students interested in global affairs, these experiences can also add depth to college applications by demonstrating serious academic curiosity.
With that in mind, here are 15 online international relations summer research programs for high school students! For more ways to explore global affairs during high school, you can also check out our blog on Free International Relations Programs for high school students.
15 Online International Relations Summer Research Programs for High School Students
1. Foreign Policy Research Institute Internships
Cost: None. Limited paid stipends by financial need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified (highly competitive)
Application Deadline: March 6 for summer
Dates: June – August (tentative), Spring (February–May), and Fall (September–December)
Eligibility: High school students welcome (college/grad typical; no U.S. citizenship required; no visa sponsorship)
Foreign Policy Research Institute internships place you within a policy research organization that studies international affairs and global security. If you join the research track, you focus on regional or thematic areas such as Eurasia, Asia, or national security and assist scholars with background research and policy analysis. The internship includes weekly seminars where experts discuss foreign policy debates and career paths within international relations. Throughout the summer, you prepare written work based on your research, which may be considered for publication in the institute’s Intern Corner series. Communication with supervisors takes place through scheduled meetings and written feedback as you refine your research paper.
2. Harvard Undergraduate International Relations Scholars Program (HUIRSP)
Cost: Tuition-based (rates by need; financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – 5(Summer, tentative)
Eligibility: High school grades 9–12 (U.S. equivalent; worldwide).
The Harvard Undergraduate International Relations Scholars Program runs as a short virtual conference where you examine contemporary global policy issues through discussions and team simulations. You will attend sessions led by policymakers, academics, and analysts who explain how international institutions respond to global challenges. In the Policy Lab component, you work in teams representing governments, international organizations, or nonprofit groups responding to scenarios such as climate negotiations or global health crises. Each team drafts policy proposals and presents them for feedback from mentors affiliated with Harvard. The program concludes with the presentation of policy recommendations developed during the simulation exercises.
3. Virtual Model UN Institute Summer Camp
Cost: $449 – $599 (Discounts available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Max class size 32
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 19, June 29 – July 2, July 20 – 24, August 10 – 14
Eligibility: High school students ages 13–18 (Beginner — Diplomat level; no prerequisites)
Virtual Model UN Institute Summer Camp is a five-day online program organized by Best Delegate that teaches the research and debate skills used in Model United Nations conferences. During the camp, you learn how to investigate international issues, prepare position papers, and construct diplomatic speeches that represent a country’s interests. Instructors explain the rules of parliamentary procedure used in UN-style debates while guiding you through exercises on negotiation and alliance building. The program culminates in a two-day simulation where you represent a country, debate policy questions, and collaborate with other delegates to draft a resolution.
4. ICRP Virtual Internship
Cost: Voluntary
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Bimonthly (15th of Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec)
Dates: Minimum 2-month (8-week) commitment
Eligibility: High school students
ICRP Virtual Internship places you within an organization that studies cultural relations and international policy discussions. Your work involves reviewing reports, summarizing research findings, and preparing briefing materials used in events or conferences related to diplomacy and cultural cooperation. You will also assist with planning international workshops and coordinating online discussions between participants from different countries. During conferences, you may help document conversations or conduct interviews with speakers such as diplomats or policy specialists. The internship runs remotely with flexible hours and includes opportunities to engage with global youth initiatives connected to Erasmus+ programs.
5. Summer@Brown – Political Science Courses
Cost: $2,816 to $9,870, depending on course format and duration. Limited financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Mid-May (tentative, based on previous years)
Program Dates: 1–5 week sessions, between June and July (based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, aged 14–18 by the program’s start date
Brown University’s Summer@Brown program offers a range of courses where you study international relations through themes such as conflict, leadership, civic engagement, and global governance. Course options include subjects like Conflict Transformation, Leadership and Civic Engagement, and the International Relations of Russia, China, and Europe, each examining how political institutions, diplomatic strategies, and regional power dynamics shape global events. During the program, you attend approximately three hours of daily class instruction led by Brown instructors, followed by an additional three hours of independent reading, research, or collaborative assignments that deepen your understanding of the material. Coursework involves analyzing historical case studies, discussing contemporary geopolitical developments, and completing written reflections or policy-style assignments.
6. University of London: Global Diplomacy – Diplomacy in the Modern World
Cost: Both free and paid options available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Flexible schedule
Eligibility: All high school students can apply!
The “Global Diplomacy – Diplomacy in the Modern World” course introduces you to the study of diplomacy and international relations. It explains how diplomacy works and how it connects with global politics today. During the course, you study how diplomacy developed over time, how diplomatic practices and procedures have changed, and how these changes relate to current political events. You also examine the role diplomats play in shaping relations between countries. The course has six modules. Each module covers a different part of diplomacy, including the role and responsibilities of diplomats and how diplomacy is used in different global situations.
7. LSE Business, International Relations and the Political Economy
Cost: Paid course fee (unspecified); CPD certified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Application Deadline: May 25
Dates: May 20 – July 15 (tentative)
Eligibility: Open to high school students; aimed at executives, managers, policymakers
LSE’s Business, International Relations and the Political Economy course examines how political institutions and international economic systems interact. Over eight weeks, you study topics such as globalization, international trade governance, geopolitical conflict, and shifts in global economic power. Course materials include readings and case studies that explain how political events affect global markets and business strategy. Weekly assignments require analyzing historical and contemporary examples of economic diplomacy and international regulation. The course concludes with a digital certificate issued by the London School of Economics.
8. HarvardX: Religion, Conflict and Peace
Cost: Free to audit; $149 certificate
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: Self-paced, 8 weeks
Eligibility: Open to all high school students (introductory, no prerequisites)
HarvardX Religion, Conflict and Peace is an online course that explores how religious belief interacts with political conflict in different regions of the world. Through case studies drawn from countries such as Myanmar, Nigeria, Syria, and Israel–Palestine, you analyze the ways religion shapes both violence and peacebuilding efforts. Video lectures and readings examine how religious institutions influence political systems, media narratives, and international diplomacy. Participants complete written assignments and quizzes evaluating these case studies. The course concludes with a final project examining a conflict or peacebuilding initiative of your choice.
9. Summer Geopolitics Academy for High School Students
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified (competitive selection)
Application Deadline: April 6
Dates: July 13 – 16
Eligibility: High school juniors from underrepresented communities
Summer Geopolitics Academy is a short virtual program hosted by the Institute for Global Affairs, where you examine international crises through policy simulations and workshops. Expert speakers introduce geopolitical developments affecting regions around the world, while you will analyze how those events influence diplomatic relations. Team exercises require preparing policy recommendations addressing issues such as security conflicts or economic disputes. Mentors guide discussions about how governments and international organizations respond to these challenges. If you complete the program, you will join a longer mentorship network that continues advising you through the college application process.
10. Brown Leadership Institute
Cost: $5,554 (online); higher for on-campus
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: May 8
Dates: June 22 – July 17
Eligibility: Grades 9–12, ages 14–18 by June 14
Brown Leadership Institute’s online program includes courses examining leadership and global policy issues through an interdisciplinary lens. You will study topics such as social justice movements, civic engagement, and international cooperation while completing independent readings and discussion assignments. Twice-weekly live sessions allow participants to analyze case studies and collaborate with peers from different countries. Each participant develops an Action Plan that applies the ideas discussed in the course to a real social or policy challenge.
11. Global Health Diplomacy (SUNY)
Cost: Free audit; paid certificate option available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: Flexible (self-paced)
Eligibility: All high school students
Global Health Diplomacy is an online course offered through Coursera that examines how health policy intersects with international relations. Through case studies such as Ebola and COVID-19 responses, you analyze how governments and international institutions coordinate global health interventions. Lectures explore negotiations within organizations such as the World Health Organization and the diplomatic tools used to address global disease outbreaks. You will complete quizzes and exercises evaluating how public health decisions influence international cooperation and political relationships. The course can be completed at your own pace and offers a certificate option upon completion.
12. Council on Foreign Relations Global Affairs Explained
Cost: Free audit; paid certificate option
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: Flexible (self-paced modules)
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Global Affairs Explained is an online course developed by the Council on Foreign Relations that introduces the structure of the international system. Course modules examine topics such as alliances, international institutions, nuclear proliferation, and economic interdependence among states. Video lectures and readings from CFR analysts explain how governments use diplomatic tools, including sanctions and negotiations, to pursue foreign policy goals. Short quizzes assess understanding of the material, while optional discussions allow participants to reflect on current geopolitical developments.
13. Georgetown Pre-College Online Program – International Relations
Cost: $1,895 (Enrichment) / $3,995 (College Credit); need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: 1–4 week Enrichment or 6–12 week college credit sessions, available throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students ages 13 and up (worldwide)
Georgetown Pre-College Online’s International Relations course examines how the global system is structured and how countries navigate shared challenges through diplomacy, international law, and economic policy. Developed and led by Dr. Anthony Clark Arend, Chair of Georgetown University’s Department of Government, the course covers topics such as populism’s threat to democracy, cyber conflict, human rights law, and the geopolitics of economic interdependence. A capstone project requires you to take on the role of a head of state navigating a global human rights crisis by writing a policy paper that recommends a course of action, whether diplomatic, economic, or military. Mentors and teaching assistants from Georgetown’s graduate and undergraduate programs provide feedback on assignments and guide you through the material at your own pace.
14. American University High School Summer Scholars – International Diplomacy Course
Cost: $1,044 per course; $100 non-refundable deposit required to reserve spot (due by June 1)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective (rolling admissions)
Application Deadline: Rolling applications; courses offered until capacity is reached
Dates: June 22 – July 17 (4-week asynchronous online course)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA; domestic and international students welcome
American University’s High School Summer Scholars program offers a fully online, asynchronous one-credit college course in International Diplomacy taught by AU faculty. The course covers topics such as international relations theory, diplomatic practice, conflict resolution, negotiation strategies, and contemporary global challenges. The self-paced, asynchronous format means you access all lectures, readings, and assignments through AU’s Canvas platform at times that suit your schedule, with no mandatory live sessions. Weekly assignments include discussion board participation, reading and video analysis, and written reflections on international affairs.
15. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes – Introduction to International Relations
Cost: $3,200 tuition; additional materials may cost up to $100; need-based financial aid available; financial aid application fee is $60 USD (waivable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective (less than 10% acceptance rate); small class sizes
Application Deadline: Typically in April/May for summer sessions
Dates: Session One: June 16–27; Session Two: July 7–18 (two-week intensive program, Monday–Friday)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 at the time of application; ages 13–18; worldwide participation
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offers an Introduction to International Relations course where you study how foreign policy shapes global politics and diplomatic relations. Over two weeks in a fully online format, you attend live classes for about two hours daily and discuss topics such as global power dynamics, international institutions, and U.S. foreign policy across different regions. Sessions include small-group discussions, readings, and debates on contemporary international issues. The program also requires 1–2 hours of independent work each day. Courses are ungraded and do not offer college credit, allowing you to focus on exploring international relations concepts with peers from around the world.
One more option—Horizon Academic Research Program
If you are looking for a competitive mentored research program in international relations, you can consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! It is a selective virtual research program that allows you to engage in advanced research and come up with a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1,000+ high school students so far, offering 600+ research specializations to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image Source – Georgetown University