Online political science research programs for high school students offer a flexible yet rigorous way to explore how governments, institutions, and global systems operate. These programs introduce key areas such as political theory, policy analysis, international relations, civic engagement, and human rights. You’ll not only do research in topics like conflict, governance, and global justice, but also learn how to think critically about real-world issues and systems of power.
Participating in a research program allows you to develop valuable academic skills — from analyzing primary sources and interpreting data to writing structured arguments and presenting findings. These are essential for future study in political science, law, public policy, or international affairs.
Online programs make these opportunities super accessible, no matter where you live. They allow you to connect with expert mentors, attend live or recorded sessions, and collaborate with peers across the world. If you’re considering a future in government, policy, or global studies, an online political science research program is a practical and meaningful way to start.
Here is a list of 14 online political science research programs for high school students:
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP) – Political Science Track
Cost: $5,950. Financial aid available
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary according to cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. 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.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and more. If you’re interested in political science, you could choose courses like International Relations or Political Theory and Philosophy.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar 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. You can apply here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Political Science Track
Cost: $2,990. Financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled in high school, and demonstrate academic achievement (unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4). No prior knowledge of your field of interest is required.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper. You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more.
Past research has explored the impact of social movements on effective political change and public political attitudes, and their effect on democratic backsliding in countries. You can find more details about the application here.
3. Foreign Policy Research Institute Internships
Cost: None
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort; exact dates not yet released
Program Dates: Spring: February – May; Summer: June – August; Fall: September – December
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internship Program offers high school students a structured introduction to international affairs and policy research. You choose from tracks including research, events and development, communications, or operations, allowing for tailored skill-building aligned with individual interests.
As an intern, you will engage in tasks such as literature reviews, event planning, or content production, while attending seminars and workshops on foreign policy and professional development. The program emphasizes communication, time management, and collaboration within the context of international relations. You may also contribute to ongoing projects or publications, gaining experience in policy analysis and institutional operations.
4. Pasquines Internship
Cost: None; no stipend provided
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis
Program Dates: Available year-round
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Pasquines internship offers high school students practical experience in political reporting, policy research, and editorial writing, with a focus on U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa. As part of a non-profit, volunteer-led newsroom, you contribute to content that highlights territorial governance, federal relations, and regional policy issues.
You develop journalistic writing and political analysis skills while reporting on topics that intersect with representation, autonomy, and systemic inequality. The program is remote and flexible, making it accessible for you if you’re interested in the intersection of media and politics, particularly in marginalized or overlooked jurisdictions.
5. Civic Innovators Fellowship
Cost: None
Application Deadline: Not available at the moment
Program Dates: Mid-February to mid-April
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Civic Innovators Fellowship is a program for high school students interested in addressing public sector challenges through policy, law, and civic design. As a fellow, you examine systemic problems in areas like urban planning, governance, and legal equity, while studying the tools and frameworks used to build evidence-based, community-driven solutions.
Throughout the fellowship, you engage in policy research, stakeholder analysis, and project planning, culminating in the development of a civic action project. The program supports you with mentorship, peer collaboration, and seed funding, equipping you with the skills and resources to design and implement locally relevant policy or advocacy initiatives.
6. Summer Journalism Program – Princeton University
Cost: None
Application Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: Late July to early August (exact dates yet to be announced)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a free, year-long program for high-achieving, low-income high school juniors interested in political journalism and media studies. It combines virtual coursework and an in-person summer institute, featuring lectures, writing workshops, and mentorship from journalists and Princeton faculty.
You explore how media influences public opinion and policy, with exposure to professionals from outlets like The New York Times, Politico, and CNN. The program admits up to 40 students annually through a competitive selection process.
7. Cambridge Centre for International Research – CCIR Academy
Cost: $6,500
Application Deadline: May 15
Program Dates: Summer programs typically start in June
Eligibility: Current high school students
The CCIR Academy provides competitive online and in-person research programs for high school students, guided by faculty from Oxbridge and other U.S. institutions. You pursue independent research projects under the mentorship of subject experts, culminating in a formal research paper.
Program formats include the 1-on-1 Research Mentorship and the Future Scholar Programme, both of which support academic publishing, with past student work appearing in outlets like IEEE and the Columbia Undergraduate Research Journal. If selected, you may also access the CCIR Lab at MIT, conducting research on-site under PhD-level supervision. The focus is on research design, academic writing, and discipline-specific inquiry across STEM, social science, and humanities fields.
8. YLAC’s The Young Researchers for Social Impact (YRSI) Program
Cost: $300
Application Deadline: May 4
Program Dates: June 21 – July 20
Eligibility: Current 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students who are not more than 18 years old at the start of the program
The Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) program offers high school students the opportunity to contribute to live research projects in areas such as public policy, advocacy, environmental studies, and public health. Partnering with organizations like the World Resources Institute, Indian School of Democracy, and Teach for India, you gain hands-on exposure to governance and social equity issues.
You develop skills in survey design, data analysis, ethnographic research, and policy evaluation, applying these tools to case studies, stakeholder mapping, and fieldwork. The program emphasizes evidence-based approaches to understanding institutional structures and systemic challenges, making it a useful option to explore if you’re looking for a career in policy or social research.
9. Leadership Institute – Brown University
Cost: $3,218
Application Deadline: May 9
Program Dates: June 23 – July 18
Eligibility: Students completing grades 10 to 12, ages 16 to 18 by June 15
The Leadership Institute at Brown University offers high school students a political science–oriented exploration of leadership, civic action, and institutional change. You select a course aligned with your interests—topics often include social movements, global governance, public health policy, and gender equity—and examine these through the lens of political theory and civic engagement.
You engage in seminars, discussions, and collaborative workshops, analyzing how policy, power structures, and civic institutions shape social outcomes. A central component of the program is the Action Plan, a project designed to address a concrete issue in your own community using the tools of advocacy, public policy analysis, or grassroots organizing. Throughout the program, you will refine skills in public speaking, political communication, stakeholder mapping, and collaborative leadership, while building a foundation in applied political science.
10. Summer Internship Program at USC Center for the Political Future
Cost: Not specified
Application Deadline: To be announced
Program Dates: To be announced
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
The USC Center for the Political Future, in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, offers a remote summer research internship for high school students (grades 9–11, minimum 3.5 GPA). You analyze two panels from the Climate Forward Conference, completing a 5–10 page summary and a 5–10 page research essay that incorporates at least 10 external sources.
The program includes virtual check-ins, and you are expected to apply skills in policy analysis, research synthesis, and argument-driven writing. Final deliverables include a testimonial and optional publication on the program website. Completion results in formal recognition as a Summer Research Intern.
11. Research Internship at Foreign Policy Research Institute
Cost: None; some internships may be paid
Application Deadline: To be announced
Program Dates: June – August
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) offers remote and in-person research internships during the summer, fall, and spring terms. You are paired with scholars in focus areas such as the Middle East, Eurasia, Africa, or Asia, and will contribute to ongoing research while developing skills in foreign policy analysis, academic writing, and professional communication.
You may work on a research paper for publication on FPRI’s Intern Corner and attend weekly seminars on career development and international affairs. Some placements require language proficiency, data analysis, or prior fieldwork experience. You also gain access to FPRI’s events and network with professionals in the field.
12. Political Science: Impact, Activism and Your Career @ USC
Cost: $1,990
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis
Program Dates: Multiple start dates available between April 14 – August 18
Eligibility: Current high school students
The USC Pre-College Online Course in Political Science: Impact, Activism, and Your Career offers high school students an asynchronous, 2–4 week certificate program exploring careers in public service, politics, and advocacy. Through ~20–25 hours of recorded lectures, case studies, and assignments, you examine local to global political systems, campaign strategy, nonprofit operations, and issue-based activism.
The course emphasizes practical understanding of career pathways in government, civic engagement, and international policy, helping you align your interests with practical public service roles. You will finish with a completion certificate and greater clarity on how to pursue academic and professional goals in political science and social impact work.
13. Summer@Brown – Political Science Courses
Cost: $3,218 to $6,238 – varies based on selected courses
Application Deadline: May 9
Program Dates: Between June and July, varies based on selected course
Eligibility: Current high school students
Brown University’s Pre-College Programs offer high school students the chance to study political science and related disciplines through seminar-style courses. Options include Lessons in Leadership, which explores political and social change through case studies and theory; The Political Economy of Everyday Life, which introduces comparative methods to examine how institutions shape access to resources; and Philosophizing Politics and Economics (PPE), which examines political and economic systems from a philosophical perspective.
Additional offerings like The Politics of Science/Fiction in Film and Media and The Philosophy of Sports explore power, identity, and ethics through cultural lenses. Courses range from 2 to 7 weeks and involve daily seminars and independent work. You will earn a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
14. Harvard Summer School
Cost: $4,050 (4-credits) or $7,900 (8-credits)
Application Deadline: January 8
Program Dates: 7-week online program: June 21 – August 9
Eligibility: Current high school students
Harvard’s Secondary School Program (SSP) Online offers high school students the chance to earn 4 to 8 college credits through courses in political science, sociology, and global studies. Options include Science, Technology, and Political Theory, Globalization and Global Justice, Ukraine’s State and Society, and Self, Society, and Politics.
You complete college-level coursework, receive an official Harvard transcript, and gain access to virtual advising, peer engagement, and Harvard’s digital libraries. If you’re interested in political and social systems, this program can provide an academic foundation.
Image source – Pasquines