If you’re a high school student interested in how economies function—whether through markets, public policy, or individual decision-making—online economics research programs can be a flexible and accessible starting point. These programs focus on developing key academic skills through guided, research-based learning.
You’ll learn to work with data, build strong arguments, and write about complex ideas. Some programs match you with a mentor who helps you plan and complete your project on topics like public policy, markets, or behavioral economics. These experiences help you build skills in analysis, writing, and problem-solving – skills that matter in careers like business, law, research, and public service.
To help you choose, here’s a list of 15 online economics summer research opportunities for high school students!
15 Online Economics Summer Research Opportunities for High School Students
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Economics Track
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June-August), Fall (September-December), Winter (December-February), and Spring (March-June).
Eligibility: You must be a current high school student with at least a 3.3 unweighted GPA. No prior experience in the subject is required.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program gives high school students a chance to work one-on-one with a PhD mentor on a topic they choose. Over 12 weeks, you’ll design and complete your research project, then write a full-length paper based on your findings.
You can explore subjects like economics, physics, psychology, international relations, computer science, chemistry, data science, or engineering. Along the way, you’ll build useful skills like research writing, data analysis, time management, and critical thinking. Apply here.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program – Economics Track
Location: Virtual
Application Deadlines: Priority: March 23; Regular I: April 20; Regular II: May 18
Program Dates: The summer cohort starts June 16. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply at least four 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 runs research programs during the academic year for high school students interested in subjects like economics, psychology, chemistry, data science, and others. You choose your topic and whether to focus on qualitative or quantitative methods.
After that, you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor or university professor. Over the trimester, you develop a 20-page research paper that meets college-level standards. Some students later submit their work to journals.
At the end, you get detailed feedback and a recommendation letter that can help with college or future research programs. Click here to apply!
3. UCSD’s Research Scholars – Business Research Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,500
Application Deadline: May 28
Dates: July 7 – July 25
Eligibility: Current high school students entering 9th through 12th grade
UCSD’s Business Research Track is a focused program where you learn how businesses are built, tested, and improved. You’ll study how to take an idea, test if it’s needed, and see if it can work in the real world. The program focuses on tools like SWOT analysis, TAM/SAM/SOM breakdowns, and financial modeling.
You’ll learn how to think clearly about risks, user needs, and long-term sustainability. By the end, you build a structured business pitch based on real data and strategy. It’s useful if you’re considering business, economics, or entrepreneurship in college or beyond.
4. eSCIP by UCLA
Location: Virtual
Cost: The fees depend on how many units you are enrolled in for your program; Click here to calculate your fees
Application Deadline: May 1
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Eligibility: Students enrolled in Grades 10-11 as of Spring; Minimum 3.8 GPA (unweighted, cumulative) at the time of application
In eSCIP by UCLA, you get a college experience without going to campus. If you choose the economics track, you will take ECON 1 and ECON 2. These courses cover microeconomics and macroeconomics. You will learn how to use supply and demand models, understand different market types, and study fiscal policy.
You will watch college-level lectures, join online discussions, and complete weekly assignments. The program also helps you build skills in managing your time and planning your work to handle deadlines. By the end, you earn transcripted credits and gain skills in economic analysis, critical thinking, and academic discipline.
5. Introduction to Investments Summer Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,170
Application Deadline: June 13
Dates: June 23 – July 11
Eligibility: Students in 9th – 12th grade
In UCLA’s Introduction to Investments Summer Institute, you analyze how financial systems move money across stocks, bonds, commodities, and private equity. You study how markets work, how to value assets, and how economic cycles affect investments. Topics include the Federal Reserve’s role, asset pricing theories, and past financial crises.
You watch faculty lectures and join peer-led discussions to deepen your understanding. Case studies help you apply tools like earnings multiples, risk-adjusted returns, and the efficient market hypothesis to real situations. You also learn about finance careers and how different asset types need different analysis and strategy skills.
6. Python for Economics and Finance Summer Institute Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,611
Application Deadline: June 13
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Eligibility: Students in 9th – 12th grade
In Python for Economics and Finance at UCLA, you build technical skills for economic analysis using Python. You work with structured data using pandas, run regressions, and create time series visualizations. The course covers data types, loops, flow control, and numerical programming with NumPy.
You learn coding basics alongside economics. You use code to explain price changes, spot macroeconomic trends, and check correlations. Your progress is assessed through exams and participation. This course focuses on hands-on learning and applying models directly to finance and economics.
7. Financial Decision Making
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,099 + $100 application fee
Application Deadline: May 1
Dates: June 16 – June 27; July 7 – July 18
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-12
The Financial Decision Making program trains you to analyze personal finance situations using economic models. You study saving, spending, borrowing, and investing choices with tools like discounted cash flow and debt-to-income ratios.
You attend faculty lectures and TA-led recitations. Through group projects, you simulate decision paths and evaluate outcomes using structured financial tools. You also learn how inflation, taxes, and other macroeconomic factors affect individual choices.
8. Understanding Your Money
Location: Virtual
Cost: $329 + $100 application fee
Application Deadline: Students are not required to apply to enroll in the program
Dates: Students set their course completion schedules and work at their own pace
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12
Understanding Your Money is a self-paced program from Wharton where you study how people manage saving, budgeting, and investing within economic systems. You learn about compound interest, risk-return tradeoffs, opportunity cost, and utility. The course includes video lectures, quizzes, and activities based on economic principles and personal finance.
You practice asset allocation, simulate budget limits, and explore how currency and banking work. Each module builds skills in structured decision-making. By the end, you gain a foundation in financial behavior and economic logic, plus a certificate to show your work.
9. Future of the Business World
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,099 + $100 application fee
Application Deadline: April 2
Dates: June 16 – June 27; July 7 – July 18; July 21 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12
Future of the Business World introduces you to strategic forecasting in business. You study how companies adapt to changes in demographics, technology, economics, and regulations using scenario planning and systems thinking. Daily live sessions let you hear Wharton faculty views on innovation, disruption, and sustainability.
You analyze case studies and build a prediction model in a business area you choose. Your project must be based on research and trends, not guesses. This program develops your skills in strategic thinking and analytical writing, similar to undergraduate coursework in global strategy.
10. Economics, Finance, and Public Policy – Harvard Secondary School Program
Location: Virtual/ In-campus
Cost: $4,050–$14,950 + $75 application fee
Application Deadline: April 9
Dates: June 21–August 9
Eligibility: Students graduating high school and entering college in the next three years; At least 16 years old by June 21 and will not turn 19 years old before July 31
The Economics, Finance, and Public Policy track in Harvard’s Secondary School Program lets you choose two economics courses over seven weeks. You study topics like macroeconomic cycles, game theory, or managerial finance based on your selections. You work with concepts such as Nash equilibrium, supply and demand models, and GDP accounting.
You develop skills in quantitative reasoning and structured argumentation. Coursework includes problem sets, essays, and data analysis. Whether you focus on microeconomics or conflict strategy, you practice applying formal economic logic to study institutions, policy, and markets.
11. Columbia University Online Summer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,815 – $3,965 per session + $80 application fee
Application Deadline: Applications will remain open while space is available.
Dates: Session A – 2 Weeks: July 7–July 18; Session B – 2 Weeks: July 21–August 1; Session C – 1 Week: August 11–August 15
Eligibility: Domestic and international students who will be enrolled in grades 9–12 in the fall, and students currently enrolled in grade 12
The Business, Economics, and Entrepreneurship track in Columbia’s Summer Program helps you develop skills in market systems, innovation, and quantitative analysis. You can choose courses like Game Theory, Investment Portfolio Management, or Social Entrepreneurship. Each course requires formal reasoning, clear argumentation, and problem-solving.
You attend live lectures, participate in group simulations, and take part in student-led debates. Many courses ask you to use basic statistics or spreadsheet tools for analysis. You are evaluated through case studies, scenario modeling, and written work. This track focuses on helping you analyze systems and build arguments based on data.
12. Summer@Brown Online – Economics Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,218 – $6,238
Application Deadline: May 9
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18 by June 15
Summer@Brown Online – Economics Track lets you study applied economics using behavioral models and quantitative tools. In Behavioral Game Theory, you learn about strategic decision-making and how people sometimes act irrationally, using concepts like Nash equilibrium, dominance strategies, and behavioral heuristics.
In Introduction to Accounting, you study financial information, including assets, liabilities, equity, and how income statements and balance sheets work. You practice analyzing data, building accounting models, and applying economic reasoning to real-world problems.
13. Georgetown University Pre-College Programs: Investing Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the format you choose
Dates: Dates depend on the format you choose
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
Georgetown University’s Investing Track focuses on financial markets and investment research. You will study asset valuation, portfolio theory, and how to assess risk and return. The program also includes topics like market efficiency, algorithmic trading, cryptocurrencies, and fintech tools.
You will work with historical data, use financial models, and review investment performance in different market settings. Assignments and case studies are designed to build your skills in quantitative analysis.
14. The Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,850
Application Deadline: Depends on the session you apply for
Dates: Multiple sessions available from June – August
Eligibility: Students in 9th- 12th grade in Spring
Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute introduces you to launching ventures focused on social impact. You learn startup basics like setting a mission, doing user research, and building simple financial models, all applied to public-interest projects.
The course covers legal options for nonprofits and social enterprises and teaches tools like theory of change diagrams. You work closely with others throughout.
You identify a problem, test your ideas, and create a pitch deck based on stakeholder needs. The final project is a five-minute pitch with external feedback. You develop skills in impact logic modeling, matching problems to solutions, and clear storytelling for ventures.
15. Economics for Leaders
Location: Virtual
Cost: $900 + $35 processing fee
Application Deadline: Depends on the session you apply for
Dates: Multiple sessions available from June – August
Eligibility: Students who are currently in their sophomore or junior year of high school
Economics for Leaders teaches you how to use economic thinking to understand public policy and lead in group settings. You’ll study five core Economic Reasoning Propositions (ERPs) and apply ideas like opportunity cost, market efficiency, and property rights to real-world issues. In simulations, you make decisions that show how incentives and trade-offs affect how resources are used.
In the leadership section, you use the Pyramid Matrix to examine how individuals and groups behave in teams. You practice making decisions, leading discussions, and managing relationships in structured ways. You build skills in economic analysis, communication, and leadership that connect directly to policy and institutional settings.
Image source – University of California, San Diego