If you’re a high school student interested in exploring business, finance, or entrepreneurship through a research-focused lens, consider an online business research program. These programs let you analyze markets, assess risks, and develop strategies using real-world data.
You’ll work on case studies, explore economic trends, and apply business theories in a hands-on way, whether through simulations, data analysis, or independent research projects.
The programs in this list, including ones from top institutions like Harvard, Wharton, Cornell, Yale, and MIT cover topics such as financial modeling, data analysis, business strategy, and market research. You’ll also gain experience in presenting findings and crafting research-backed solutions, which are essential skills in any business field.
To help you get started, here are 15 online and free business research opportunities for high school students!
15 Free + Online Business Research Opportunities for High School Students
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Business Track
Location: Online
Cost: 100% financial aid is available
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I application deadline is April 13!
Eligibility: Open to current high school students with a minimum 3.3 GPA. No prior experience is needed.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research program for high school students who want to develop an independent research project. The program will pair you with a PhD mentor who will guide you as you conduct in-depth research in a topic of your choice.
You can choose your subject track in the application form, such as business, as well as a specific area of focus, such as entrepreneurship throughout your research experience! Previous students have worked on topics like the adoption of technology in firms. This program is a good option if you are looking for 1-on-1 mentorship and the chance to work on an advanced research project. Apply here!
2. Veritas AI’s AI + Finance Deep Dive
Location: Online
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. 100% financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: The summer early admission application deadline is March 23!
Program Dates: Varies according to cohort.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI’s AI + Finance Deep Dive program looks at how artificial intelligence and machine learning can be applied in the field of finance. You will learn how predictive modeling can be used in areas like banking, wealth management, and fraud detection.
The curriculum covers topics like financial tools, financial principles, data analysis, regression, neural networks, and more. You will learn through a combination of lectures, coding walkthroughs, and hands-on projects that use AI models to predict financial patterns.
3. Wharton Global Youth Program’s Future of the Business World
Location: Online
Cost: $4,099. Full and partial scholarships are available!
Program dates: Session 1 from June 16 – 27, Session 2 from July 7 – 18, Session 3 from July 21 – August 1
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 can apply!
Wharton’s Future of the Business World is a pre-college program that helps high school students develop business leadership skills. You’ll learn core concepts like design thinking, scenario planning, and strategic teamwork while analyzing current challenges in the business world.
The program includes two interactive simulations where you’ll manage a fictional company, making key decisions in a dynamic business environment. You’ll wrap up with a final project, using research and analysis to predict future trends in business.
4. Wharton Global Youth Program’s Essentials of Leadership
Location: Online
Cost: $4,099. Full and partial scholarships are available!
Program dates: Session 1 from June 16 – June 27, Session 2 from July 7 – July 18
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 can apply!
Wharton School of Business’s Essentials of Leadership is a two-week online program designed to help high school students develop leadership skills through research-based theories and real-world applications. You’ll build teamwork, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence while exploring foundational leadership concepts through lectures and group projects. The program also includes interactive business simulations, skill-building sessions with a TA, and hands-on activities like conducting an industry analysis and profiling a CEO.
5. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Online
Cost: None. There is a $25 application fee, but waivers are available for those who need them!
Program dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who are at least 15 years old!
George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program offers high school students a mentored research experience, including two business-focused internships. One explores blockchain, mathematical modeling, and data analytics, applying quantitative methods to financial systems.
The other examines market structure, investments, corporate finance, and the economics of AI, focusing on data-driven decision-making and financial modeling. Throughout the program, you’ll analyze business trends, conduct independent research, and work with faculty mentors to apply theoretical concepts to real-world economic and financial challenges.
6. EnergyMag Research Internship
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program dates: Rolling dates. You can choose between a half-time internship of 2-8 weeks or a quarter-time internship of 1-9 months.
Application deadline: Open all year round
Eligibility: Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class and have a minimum GPA of 3.25.
The EnergyMag Research Internship is a virtual program where high school students conduct business-focused research in the energy sector. You’ll analyze a specific company, market, technology, or industry issue, compiling findings into a detailed report.
Your research will involve collecting data, reaching out to industry professionals, and assessing market trends. At the end of the program, your report may be published, and you’ll receive a letter of accomplishment recognizing your work.
7. Babson Summer Study for High School Students
Location: Online
Cost: $6,295 and $95 application fee. Limited partial and full scholarships are available.
Program dates: July 7 – 28
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors.
Babson College’s Summer Study for High School Students is a pre-college program focused on entrepreneurship. Using the United Nations’ Global Goals as a framework, you’ll study social, economic, and environmental challenges while learning core business concepts in leadership, marketing, finance, and communication.
You’ll develop skills in market research, business modeling, financial planning, and persuasive communication. The program also covers competitive analysis, branding strategies, and investment decision-making. Upon completion, you’ll earn 4 college credits.
8. MIT THINK Scholars
Location: Online; the visit to MIT’s campus is the only in-person element
Cost: Free. Finalists receive a $1,000 stipend, weekly mentoring, and a paid trip to MIT’s campus.
Program dates: Finalists are announced in February, and projects are completed by June
Application deadline: January 1 of each year
Eligibility: All high school students can apply as individuals or in teams of two.
MIT THINK Scholars is a research competition that provides high school students with funding and mentorship to complete independent projects. If you have a business research idea that connects to STEM, such as financial modeling, market analytics, or blockchain applications, this program can support its development. Finalists receive one thousand dollars in funding and weekly mentorship sessions to refine their research.
9. PHC Group’s Mary Miller Summer Program
Location: Online
Cost: None. Pays a stipend!.
Program dates: Not specified. Check here for updates!
Application deadline: Not specified. Check here for updates!
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors.
PHC Group’s Mary Miller Summer Program is an internship for high school students seeking practical business experience and leadership development. You will gain insight into how PHC operates and tackles real-world business challenges.
As an intern, you will work under the guidance of a Public Health Director on projects related to social media strategy, industry research, and data analysis. The program provides hands-on experience in market research, digital marketing, and business decision-making.
10. Building-U High School Internship
Location: Online
Cost: None
Program dates: It takes place over three months during any time of the year
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: All high school students.
Building-U is an online platform that helps high school students explore postsecondary opportunities while gaining real-world experience. It offers a three-month internship where you can work in departments like resource research and development, multimedia, marketing, business development, social media analytics, student outreach, and data privacy.
As an intern, you will contribute to strategic planning, conduct market research, analyze data, and assist in content creation. The program provides practical experience in business operations, communication strategies, and organizational decision-making.
11. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute
Location: Online and in-person options available at Indiana University
Cost: Free
Program dates: Multiple dates available in June and July
Application deadline: Varies with each session
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Indiana University’s Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute is a free business program for high school students interested in business and leadership careers. You will attend workshops led by faculty from the School of Business and learn core concepts in management, entrepreneurship, marketing, and finance.
The program includes a hands-on business case project where you will apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios. You will also have opportunities to network with students, alumni, and professionals, particularly women in business, gaining insights into career pathways and industry trends.
12. Harvard Student Agencies’ Virtual Business Academies
Location: Online
Cost: $450, but need-based financial aid is available!
Program dates: Multiple sessions available. You can choose between week-long sessions in August or weekend sessions between August and December.
Application deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 who are at least 13 years old, with a few exceptions made for those in 8th grade.
In the entrepreneurship track, you will learn how to develop and launch a business by studying financial literacy, business planning, SWOT analysis, product-market fit, and pitching strategies. The program culminates in a startup pitch presentation to judges.
The management and strategy track focuses on corporate decision-making. You will analyze business performance, value companies, and use data-driven strategies to solve real-world problems. Case studies will help you understand how firms operate and how consultants develop solutions for business challenges.
13. Wake Forest University’s Online Business Program
Location: Online
Cost: $1,495. Financial aid is available
Program dates: Multiple 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week sessions available
Application deadline: Varies with each session
Eligibility: Students who are at least 13 years of age!
Wake Forest University’s Online Business Program gives high school students a behind-the-scenes look at how top companies like Netflix and Apple operate. Through video lessons, multimedia simulations, and mentorship, you will study business strategies, market disruptions, and performance analysis while learning how to evaluate competitors.
The program is designed to help you think like a business strategist by exploring innovative tools and real-world case studies. It all leads up to a capstone project where you will assess strategic threats to an actual company and propose solutions.
14. Cornell University Online Pre-College Summer Programs
Location: Online
Cost: $1,840 per credit. Financial aid is available
Program dates: Varies with each course
Application deadline: May 5
Eligibility: Rising and current high school juniors and seniors between the ages of 15 and 18.
This program lets high school students take college-level business courses alongside undergraduates and earn between 3 to 12 college credits. The summer session includes courses like Introduction to Business Management, Financial Accounting, Global Business Strategy, and Data Analysis and Business Modeling.
You will learn through lessons, discussion boards, interactive chat rooms, and video conferences, gaining direct exposure to college coursework. If you want to explore business at an Ivy League level while earning credits, this program offers a structured and immersive experience.
15. Open Yale Courses: ‘Capitalism: Success, Crisis, and Reform’
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program dates: This is a self-paced program
Application deadline: You can sign up anytime
Eligibility: Anyone can sign up!
Open Yale Courses provides free access to Yale University’s introductory courses, allowing you to explore business-related subjects at your own pace. Each course includes video lectures, transcripts, readings, and problem sets.
“Capitalism: Success, Crisis, and Reform” examines capitalism through the lens of biological evolution, comparing a firm’s survival to an organism’s adaptation in nature. Readings include works by Karl Marx, Adam Smith, and Aravind Adiga. Another option is “Financial Theory” which focuses on the analytical methods used by hedge funds, offering insights into investment strategies and market behavior.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like business, finance, and more, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Cornell University
