If you’re a high school student interested in how money moves around the world, how the stock market functions, or how government policies influence economic growth, you should consider attending a summer economics research program for high school students. While school curricula may not dive deep into this field, such programs offer a comprehensive understanding of trade, taxation, venture capital, economic trends, financial models, and more.
By attending a research program, you will also have the chance to hone your critical thinking, scientific writing, and communication skills. You will also learn how to study and analyze markets, industries, and even balance sheets. Since a lot of these programs use case studies, simulations, and lab work, you will also get plenty of hands-on experience and gain technical skills. You will also be able to add a completed research paper or project to your academic portfolio.
Without further ado, here are 15 university summer economics research programs for high school students:
1. UCLA Economics Summer Institute
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $3,015. Scholarships are available
Program dates: July 14 – August 1
Application deadline: June 13. Although, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from February 15.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 who are at least 15 years old
The UCLA Economics Summer Institute is a three-week pre-college program that introduces high school students to economic policies, the principles of financial analysis, and economic issues around the world. One of the key objectives of the program is conducting research by developing new methodologies and using them to analyse economic and social issues.
You will also attend lectures, workshops, discussion sessions, and work on projects and case studies in teams. The curriculum also includes weekly presentations where you demonstrate your learning. You will leave the program with improved knowledge about topics like price ceilings and floors, international trade, costs of taxation, and analysing empirical data.
2. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,175 for the commuter track, $12,474 for the residential track. Limited need-based scholarships are available
Program dates: June 16 – August 1
Application deadline: March 17. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from December 15
Eligibility: 10th and 11th grade students who have a minimum GPA of 3.8
UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program offers a mentored, interdisciplinary research experience for high school students. As a participant, you will be matched with a mentor and engage in hands-on, university-level research. You will learn various research techniques, conduct field work, collect data, and culminate your work in a completed research paper.
Economics is one of the available research areas. Previous students have worked on topics like “Investigating Liquidity Providers’ Returns in Layer 2 Decentralized Finance Platforms” and “Examining Price Efficiency in Layer 2 Networks”. Towards the end of the program, you will also have the chance to present your findings at a symposium.
3. UPenn’s Economics Summer Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,949. Philadelphia residents who attend a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school will be eligible for a scholarship
Program dates: July 5 – July 26
Application deadline:
Eligibility: All students in grades 9-11. International students can apply as well
The University of Pennsylvania’s Economics Summer Academy offers high school students an introduction to core economic concepts by using real-life events from across the world. The program focuses on the global context of economics and promotes a theoretical and practical understanding of the field.
Through interactive lessons and group assignments, you will learn about market structures, scarcity, and various economic models. A highlight of the program is its capstone project, for which you will use an economic model to develop a solution to a real economic challenge facing a specific country. You will work in groups and showcase your findings through a poster presentation.
4. UC San Diego’s Business Research for Innovation, Design, Growth, and Entrepreneurship (BRIDGE)
Location: Online
Cost: $2,500
Program dates: Session 1 takes place on Mondays and Wednesday from July 7 – 25, Session 2 takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 7 – 25
Application deadline: May 28. Although, students are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
BRIDGE is part of UC San Diego’s Research Scholars program, which allows high school students to take on the role of a researcher and engage in immersive projects. BRIDGE gives you an advanced exploration of business, entrepreneurship and management.
You will learn all the different elements of running a business, from developing a business strategy and raising money to meeting customer needs, leading the organization, and growing a business. The program is structured through a combination of lectures, simulations, and case studies. You will also gain creative, strategic, and critical thinking skills in the process.
5. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $6,292 for California residents, $7,332 for out of state residents. Limited need-based scholarships are available
Program dates: Session 1 from July 5-19, Session 2 from July 19 – August 2
Application deadline: March 1. Although, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: All high school students
The University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business offers this program to teach high school students how to develop a business idea and create a business plan. As one of the 50 accepted students, you will learn all about entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, management through classroom instruction, computer lab assignments, and team projects.
You will also spend time on independent research, analysing case studies, and honing research skills essential to business. At the end of the program, you and your team will present a comprehensive business plan. Previous students have worked on business ideas around products like a sustainable form of plywood, jewellery with a built-in safety button to call for help, and self-heating winter wear.
6. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: None. There is a $25 application fee but waivers are available for those who need it
Program dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February (A specific date has not been mentioned)
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who are at least 15 years old
George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program is a mentored research program for high school students interested in getting hands-on research experience. You will work 1-on-1 with a professional researcher and contribute to their body of work. There are several mentors and research areas available. If you’re interested in economics, you can opt for the Finance category, which covers topics like blockchain, Econ-CS, economics of AI, market structure, corporate finance, investments, mathematical modelling, and more.
Previous students have worked on topics like the response of market dynamics to AI breakthroughs and the impact of funding and governance on open-source development activity. Aside from learning more about economics research, you will also gain scientific writing and communication skills.
7. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Location: Online. The Global Finale takes place at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Trading begins on September 30 and ends on December 6.
Application deadline: You must register your team before September 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12. International students can apply as well.
The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition is a free, online challenge during which high school students get a first-hand experience of investing. Working in teams of 4-7 students and 1 advisor, you will examine a case study and use the Wharton Investment Simulator (WInS) to build a portfolio with $100,000 of virtual cash. Over a period of 10 weeks, you will develop an investment strategy and buy and sell stocks and ETFs. The winners are selected on the basis of the investment strategy, not the growth of the portfolio.
You and your team will submit a mid-term and a final report of your work. While this isn’t a traditional research program, you will learn how to analyze markets, evaluate data, interpret economic indicators, assess risk, apply financial models, and conduct research to back your decisions. All of these are key skills in economic research, which you will learn through practical application rather than classroom lessons.
8. Wharton Global Youth Program’s Essentials of Finance
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $7,899. Limited need-based scholarships are available
Program dates: Session 1 from June 8–21, Session 2 from June 22 – July 4, Session 3 from July 13–26, Session 4 from July 27 – August 9
Application deadline: April 2
Eligibility: High school students who have a minimum GPA of 3.3. International students can apply as well
The Wharton Global Youth Program’s Essentials of Finance course is a two-week summer program for high school students interested in finance. As a participant, you will learn the fundamentals of personal and corporate finance, diving into topics like venture capital, valuation models, stock markets, equities, the time value of money, and the trade-off between risk and return.
You will study these concepts through practical applications and case studies. The program also includes an analysis project that you will work on in small teams, which will hone your economic research skills.
9. Harvard Student Agencies’ Summer Finance Academy
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $1,800. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: Multiple one-week options between June and August are available
Application deadline: June 8th
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
The Harvard Student Agencies’ Summer Finance Academy offers two tracks: Introductory Economics and Introduction to Finance. The former explores the core principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics, and you can expect to gain research skills such as interpreting trends, evaluating the effects of economic decisions, and analyzing data, markets, and competition.
On the other hand, the latter explores financial markets, corporate finance, and risk management. In this case, you will learn how to analyze the stock market, interpret income statements and balance sheets, and manage portfolios.
10. Johns Hopkins CTY’s Macroeconomics and the Global Economy
Location: Two options are available. Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA and Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Ursinus College: $7,259 for the residential track, $6,459 for the commuter track. Loyola Marymount University: $7,501 for the residential track, $6,701 for the commuter track
Program dates: July 13 – August 1
Application deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-11
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth offers summer programs for high school students to engage in advanced academics and expand their knowledge. Macroeconomics and the Global Economy covers the fundamentals of macroeconomics, including topics like banking, inflation, national income, financial markets, and more.
You will explore large-scale concepts such as government policies that foster economic growth and what it means for a country to have a trade deficit. Aside from lectures, readings, simulations, and discussions, you will also conduct research in the field. Additionally, you will learn how professionals analyze and predict changes in the economy.
11. University of Chicago’s Pathways in Economics
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,900. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: June 14 – July 4
Application deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-11 who have studied pre-calculus
The University of Chicago’s summer sessions have pre-college courses for high school students to get a head start on their academics. Pathways in Economics is one of its offerings, which focuses on economic research and experimentation. As a participant, you will learn about macroeconomics, microeconomics, game theory, and field experiments through lectures and discussions led by university faculty.
You will also learn how to use various research tools, methodologies, and even how to use math to determine economic patterns. Additionally, the program also consists of lab work, problem sets, and group projects.
12. Bentley University’s Wall Street 101
Location: Bentley University, Waltham, MA (online options are also available)
Cost: $75 application fee. The tuition fee ranges from $1,490-$3,180, depending on the format and duration of the course
Program dates: Session A from June 9-13, Session B from June 16-20, Session C from June 23-27, Session D from June 30 – July 4, Session E from July 7-11, Session F from July 14-18
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old
Bentley University’s Wall Street 101 provides high school students with an immersive learning experience in the field of finance. The program offers courses on stock market and investment research, macroeconomics and financial markets, personal finance, and fintech business startups. You can expect plenty of hands-on learning here, such as valuing stocks and bonds, analysing investment strategies, working with new industry software, and industry-standard databases such as Bloomberg, FactSet and the Financial Trading System.
As a participant, you will also spend time in the Trading Room, a research center where you will visit the trading floor and a business suite. You will also attend guest lectures, do group assignments, and take part in team activities such as quizzes, debates, stock pitches competitions, and trading simulations. While there is no specific research paper or project, you will work with tools and gain skills that are key to economic research.
13. Yale Young Global Scholars
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $6,500. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: Session 1 from June 22 – July 4, Session 2 from July 6 – 18, Session 3 from July 20 – August 1
Application deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are between the ages of 16-18
The Yale Young Global Scholars program is a two-week summer program that promotes interdisciplinary and explorative learning. One of the program’s four available tracks is Politics, Law, & Economics, which looks at the intersection of the three fields. Through this program, you will learn diverse economic theories, legal frameworks, market regulation, governance structures, international policies, and more.
You will also work on a collaborative capstone project with the support of Yale faculty. If you’re looking for an interdisciplinary program that hones your critical thinking and analytical skills, this program is worth exploring
14. UC Santa Cruz’s Science Internship Program
Location: University of California, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $65 application fee, $4,850 tuition fee, and separate housing and transportation fees (if you opt for them). More details here. Limited scholarships are available
Program dates: June 22 – August 9
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 14 and 17
UCSC’s Science Internship Program is a 9-week summer program that offers high school students the chance to work at a research institution and contribute to research projects in STEAM fields. The internship also offers 1-on-1 mentorship, allowing you to directly learn from UCSC faculty. As part of a professional research team, you will learn about project design, various research methods, data collection, and data analysis.
The program includes several research areas, and economics is one of them. Past examples of previous students’ work include a project titled “Decoding the Mispricing Factor Zoo: Insights from Arbitrage Trading”. For this project, the student used real trading data to explore the factors behind mispriced stocks.
15. Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology Summer Institute
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,000. Need-based scholarships are available
Program dates: July 6-26
Application deadline: April 2
Eligibility: All high school students
Wharton’s Management and Technology Summer Institute is a credit-bearing summer program that explores the intersection of business management and technological innovation. In this three-week college-level course, you will learn how to link technology and management concepts through hands-on labs, interactive lectures, simulations, and case studies. The highlight of the program is the prototyping project for which you and your team will develop a plan for your own high-tech venture.
At the end, you will present your prototype and get feedback from real entrepreneurs. You will gain technical skills and business understanding through this project, both of which are useful when it comes to economic research.
Bonus programs –
While the programs below aren’t hosted by universities, they are founded by Harvard and Oxford alumni, and offer college credit!
1. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students 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. You can find more details about the application here.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, 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 – University of California, Los Angeles
