Interested in pursuing economics as an undergraduate? Consider applying to an economics research program as a high schooler!
Engaging in economics research can offer you a unique opportunity to develop advanced analytical skills and gain a deep understanding of complex economic concepts. By exploring real-world economic issues, you can enhance their ability to interpret data, apply theoretical models, and evaluate policy impacts. This hands-on experience fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are invaluable across various disciplines. Furthermore, working on research projects allows you to collaborate with professionals and academics, broadening your perspectives and providing practical insights into how economic theories translate into real-world applications.
Here are 15 of the best economics research opportunities for high school students!
1. Horizon — Economics track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, behavioral economics, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
As part of the program, you will delve into machine learning techniques, the underlying mathematics, and practical implementation using Python. As part of the course project, you can choose to either analyze a real-world data set or explore the mathematical foundations of machine learning. This course is highly relevant to economics, as it equips you with the skills to apply data-driven approaches to economic analysis.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Date: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort
Program Dates:
- Summer seminar — June 24, 2024 — September 2, 2024
- Fall seminar — October 23, 2024 — February 19, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Hosted by the University of California, Los Angeles — one of the top public universities in the U.S. — the Economics Summer Institute is a three-week program offering both residential and virtual formats. Designed to immerse students in the world of economic analysis, this program allows participants to think critically, analyze data, and explore economic policy as if they were economists.
You will develop strong data analysis skills and apply these techniques to real-world economic issues!
Location: In person (UCLA, CA) or virtual.
Cost: $2947. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: Jun 24 — Jul 12, 2024 for the virtual program | Jul 15 — Aug 2, 2024 for commuters. TBD for 2025
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade in Spring 2024 can apply for the 2025 program. All participants must be at least 15 years old by the start of the program.
Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program (SSP) provides high school students with the opportunity to tackle college-level coursework for credit. The program offers a choice between a 4-week residential course or a flexible 7-week option, which includes residential, online, or commuting formats, with the possibility of enrolling in one or two courses. Students can explore a variety of subjects, and design their schedule based on their interests.
Economics courses include Principles of Economics: Microeconomics, Financial Accounting, and Public Finance, among others. This experience is designed to build confidence and academic skills by balancing rigorous coursework with extracurricular activities and social opportunities while allowing students to investigate potential fields of study.
Location: Residential (Harvard University, MA), Online, or Commuting options.
Cost: $3,900–$14,250 + $75 application fee
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: Jul 14 — Aug 9, 2024 (4-week residential-only program) | Jun 22 — Aug 10, 2024 (7-week residential, online, or commuting program)
Eligibility: For the 2024 program, high school students must graduate from high school and enter college in 2024, 2025, or 2026. They must be at least 16 years old by June 22, 2024, and should not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2024.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, established by Harvard and Oxford researchers, offers high school students the unique chance to develop an independent research project under the guidance of a PhD mentor. Participants will work closely with experts in their chosen field to produce a college-level research paper, with additional support from writing coaches. Students can specialize in various areas, including economics, and will benefit from direct mentorship from a PhD professor in the field. The program culminates in a symposium, providing an opportunity for students to present their work and potentially achieve publication.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,800 (12 weeks) | $5,400 (16–20 weeks). Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May.
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA.
Established in 1991, the Chicago Summer Business Institute offers high school students a prestigious paid internship experience focused on the financial services sector. This comprehensive program combines practical internships with classroom learning, including workshops, seminars, hands-on projects, and networking events. Participants engage in real-world economic research and financial analysis, gaining exposure to notable organizations such as Siebert Brandford Shank and Co., CSBI, and the City of Chicago Department of Finance.
The program is particularly inclusive, supporting students from low-income backgrounds, and helping them develop skills directly relevant to economics research. Many alumni have leveraged this experience to pursue further education in economics, business, and finance, including advanced degrees and MBA programs.
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Program Dates: June-August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications will open in spring 2024.
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors residing in Chicago with a B or 3.0 average and family income below $80,000/year
6. Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&Tsi) — University of Pennsylvania
The M&Tsi summer program is a dynamic opportunity for ambitious high school seniors and a select group of enthusiastic incoming juniors eager to blend management principles with technical concepts. This rigorous program not only offers a challenging academic experience but also provides full Penn college course credit upon successful completion.
Participants attend courses and guest lectures by Penn faculty and industry experts, then apply their knowledge by developing a prototype and go-to-market strategy for a high-tech firm. They present their projects and receive feedback from Penn faculty, experienced entrepreneurs, and industry innovators, gaining invaluable insights and practical experience.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, PA.
Cost: $9,000 On-Campus Program Fee + $100 application fee.
Application Deadline: Mar 31st, 2025
Program Dates: July 6–26, 2025
Eligibility: High school seniors and rising high school juniors.
7. Economics for Leaders (EFL) — Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE)
Founded in 1975, the Foundation for Teaching Economics is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering an economic perspective on global and national issues. Their selective summer program, Economics for Leaders (EFL), equips exceptional students with leadership skills and economic analysis tools for assessing complex public policy decisions.
The course combines leadership theory with practical applications of economic concepts, helping students develop advanced reasoning abilities and effectively evaluate and address challenging economic and policy issues. FTE has a longstanding and successful partnership with the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS). As part of this collaboration, the UCCS Department of Economics offers optional undergraduate credit to students who participate in the Economics for Leaders (EFL) or EFL Virtual programs.
Location: Several Residential and Virtual Sessions here.
Cost: $2,300 program fee for residential students and $800 for virtual students.
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: Several Residential and Virtual Sessions here typically in June. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors can apply.
8. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) — Haas School of Business, University of California (Berkeley)
This two-week course offers students a comprehensive introduction to essential business skills such as teamwork, communication, presentations, business plan creation, and research methods. With a select cohort of only 50 students, the program ensures an intimate and focused learning environment. Participants will be fully immersed in campus life, engaging in a range of activities including social events and guest lectures.
They will work collaboratively in teams to develop a business plan, which they will present at the end of the course. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to interact with UC Berkeley undergraduates, enriching their experience and providing valuable networking opportunities.
Location: University of California (Berkeley) campus, CA.
Cost: California Resident $6,292 | Out of State Resident $7,332.
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: Session I: Jul 6–20, 2024 | Session II: Jul 20-Aug 3, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: US and international high school students
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program offers a unique opportunity for students interested in accounting to explore essential financial and economic principles. Participants engage in hands-on projects covering topics such as budgeting, financial analysis, and planning, which are crucial for conducting robust economic research.
The program stands out for its strong emphasis on community involvement and networking, allowing students to connect with industry professionals and gain insights into economic and financial analysis. Through guest lectures and workshops led by experienced experts, participants deepen their understanding of the financial sector, equipping them with valuable skills for pursuing future studies in economics.
Location: Washington DC, VA.
Cost/Stipend: Free. Hourly stipend provided
Program Dates: 8 weeks (June — August)
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2024 program are currently closed. The application process for the 2025 program will open in fall 2024.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors
10. Anson L. Clark Scholar Program, Economics/Business/Finance/Marketing— Texas Tech University
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program is a rigorous seven-week summer research experience designed for twelve exceptionally qualified high school juniors and seniors from around the world. This program provides an opportunity to work closely with distinguished faculty members in a research-focused environment. In addition to engaging in weekly seminars, participants benefit from field trips, lectures, and discussions with both faculty and peers who share similar research interests.
The selection of Clark Scholars considers academic achievements, teacher recommendations, and professional aspirations. Previous scholars who concentrated on economics research have investigated topics such as the impact of IPOs on media coverage and the effectiveness of various digital advertising platforms in the travel industry.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost, stipend of $750 provided.
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2024 program was February 15, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: 6 weeks, from June to August as per previous year’s schedule.
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date and should graduate in 2024 or 2025 (U.S. and International).
11. Research Mentorship Program (RMP) — University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB)
The Research Mentorship Program is a competitive summer initiative designed for ambitious, high-achieving high school students worldwide who are eager to engage in multidisciplinary, university-level research. Participants select a research project from a diverse array of disciplines, including economics, and are paired with a mentor — whether a graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, or faculty member.
The program provides training in writing technical papers in a professional style and presenting research findings at formal academic symposiums. Additionally, students earn university credits that will be recorded on their permanent academic record at UC Santa Barbara.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA.
Cost: $4,700 (commuter option) | $6,599 (housing option)
Application Deadline: March 15, 2024
Program Dates: June 17, 2024 — August 2, 2024
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 (outstanding 9th graders may be accepted on a case-by-case basis) with a minimum 3.80 weighted GPA, can apply.
The Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) Politics, Law, & Economics (PLE) session offers high school students an in-depth exploration of the intersections between law, economics, and government. Designed for those interested in economics and legal frameworks, the program covers a broad spectrum of topics, including public policy, human rights, market regulation, and international law.
Through an interdisciplinary approach, participants develop critical thinking and legal analysis skills, addressing contemporary global issues from a legal perspective. The program emphasizes applying legal theories to analyze challenges such as political change and cross-border economic regulations, providing valuable insights for students pursuing future studies or careers in law and related fields.
Location: Yale Campus, CT
Cost: $6500
Application Deadline: January 10, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout June to August.
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old, a current sophomore or junior (or any international equivalent), and a first-time participant.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.