For high school students passionate about history, there are numerous free programs that offer opportunities to develop advanced skills and gain in-depth experience in the field. These programs provide hands-on learning, mentorship from professionals, and exposure to historical research methods, digital humanities, and archival work. By participating, you can enhance your critical thinking, research, and communication skills while exploring specific historical themes or eras.
These initiatives often include internships, workshops, and research projects that allow students to work closely with historians, museum professionals, and educators. Whether through creating digital projects, conducting archival research, or contributing to public history initiatives, you will gain practical experience that can strengthen your portfolio for future projects, and college applications.
Below is a list of 8 free history programs for high school students looking to build a strong foundation in the field!
1. National History Academy
Location: Various historical sites in the U.S.
Cost: $9,995; full financial aid is available.
Program Dates: July 6 – August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade high school students
The National History Academy offers a summer program for high school students (grades 10-12) and recent graduates interested in U.S. history, civics, and civil discourse. This year’s theme focuses on voting, with an in-depth exploration of the Electoral College and case studies developed by Harvard Business School’s Case Method Institute. As a participant, you’ll visit historically significant sites and examine key moments in American history through case studies such as The Right of Revolution for the Disenfranchised, How Voting Methods Impact Democracy, and Redistricting, connecting past events to present-day challenges.
Beyond historical site visits, you’ll participate in parliamentary debates, leadership exercises, and discussions on contemporary issues, encouraging critical thinking and public speaking skills. The program also features guest speakers, including historians, government officials, and public policy experts, offering firsthand insights into the intersection of history, law, and governance.
2. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation — History Track
Location: Remote /Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Programs Dates:
- Summer cohort – June to August
- Fall cohort – September to December
- Winter cohort – December to February
- Spring cohort – March to June
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: You must be a high school student with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3, but no prior experience in your field of interest is required.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students a unique opportunity to engage in intensive, one-on-one research under the guidance of Ph.D. mentors. Over the 12-week program, students can select from a range of subjects, including various aspects of American and World History, and work independently on a research project.
This culminates in the development of a research paper, allowing participants to explore historical topics in depth while enhancing their critical thinking and analytical skills. To maximize the program’s benefits, students should be prepared to dedicate time, demonstrate initiative, and approach their chosen subject with curiosity.
The personalized mentorship and research experience provide valuable academic growth. The program helps students gain confidence in their research abilities and create work that strengthens college applications and opens doors to future academic opportunities. You can find more details about the application and financial aid packages here!
3. Summer High School Internships | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Cost: Free; Students receive a $1,100 stipend
Program Dates: July 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 or 11 residing in or attending a high school or home school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
The Met High School Internship Program provides paid opportunities for students in grades 10 and 11. You will gain hands-on experience in various fields, such as editorial, marketing, social media, education, scientific research, and conservation, while working closely with museum professionals.
Through this program, you will also develop practical skills like project management, communication, and teamwork, as well as subject-specific knowledge in areas like art history, conservation techniques, and digital media tools. The program emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging applicants from historically underrepresented groups to apply, and offers accommodations to ensure accessibility. Upon completion, interns receive a stipend aligned with New York State minimum wage laws.
4. Student Historian Internship Program – The New York Historical
Location: New York Historical Society, New York, NY
Cost: Free; Students receive a $700 stipend
Program Dates: October 23 – June 11
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 10, 11, or 12 attending school in the New York City metropolitan area (includes the five boroughs of New York City, as well as areas of New York State, Connecticut, and New Jersey).
The Student Historian Internship Program at the New York Historical Society offers high school students entering grades 10, 11, or 12 the opportunity to engage in rigorous historical research and digital project creation, focusing on the theme Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America. You will focus on developing skills in historical thinking, research, writing, and digital media production while working collaboratively and learning from museum and library professionals.
Interns gain exposure to digital humanities tools and methodologies, enhancing their ability to analyze and present historical content. Upon completion, interns receive a $700 stipend, and participation can fulfill the extracurricular requirement for the NYSED Seal of Civic Readiness.
5. History School, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Varies as per course, but the dates usually fall in July and August
Application Deadline: Not mentioned. Come back to this website in April 2025 to learn more about Summer 2025 courses.
Eligibility: High school students
The Gilder Lehrman History School explores key aspects of American history through live, interactive courses taught by expert educators. Hosted by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, a leading nonprofit dedicated to K–12 history education, the program aims to foster curiosity and a deeper understanding of historical events, themes, and ideas.
You can engage with diverse topics such as the Cold War, immigration and the American story, Black lives in the Founding Era, and foundational government documents. The courses emphasize critical thinking, historical analysis, and research skills, equipping participants with tools for academic success and a strong foundation for college-level study.
6. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP) – History Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can get the exact cost by raising an interest form here. Full financial aid is available.
Program Dates: Spring 2025: March 3; Summer 2025: June 16! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Application Deadline: Spring 2025: February 16; Summer 2025: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)
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, with a focus on subject areas such as history and political theory, alongside other disciplines like data science, machine learning, and biology. Students who choose the history or political theory track are paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university, who provides mentorship throughout the research process.
Participants work to produce a 20-page, university-level research paper, which can be submitted to prestigious academic journals for potential publication as a high school student. This program allows you to deepen your understanding of historical events, political systems, and theoretical frameworks while developing advanced research, analytical, and writing skills. Apply here!
7. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Cost: Free; $750 stipend at the end of the program.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date, and should graduate in 2025 or 2026, along with being a US citizen
The Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University offers a prestigious 7-week summer research experience for high school juniors and seniors with a focus on subjects like history. As a participant, you will work alongside distinguished faculty on in-depth topics such as Modern American Politics, Conservatism, and the post-1945 fusion of the South and West, particularly within Texas and Sunbelt political culture. This program provides a unique opportunity to explore these themes through hands-on research, enhancing critical thinking and academic skills in a stimulating environment.
In addition to research, students participate in weekly seminars, field trips, and social activities, fostering intellectual development and peer collaboration. With a competitive selection process that admits only 12 students annually, this free program is an exceptional opportunity for those passionate about history and politics. At the conclusion of the program, students receive a $750 stipend.
8. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are at least age 15 and no older than age 18 at the start of the program
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) offers high school sophomores and juniors a fully-funded, six-week educational experience that blends academic rigor with community building. You can choose between two areas of study: Critical Black Studies (TASS-CBS) or Anti-Oppressive Studies (TASS-AOS), diving into complex topics like history, politics, literature, and systems of power.
Through daily college-level seminars, you will sharpen your reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, supported by essays, group discussions, and instructor feedback. Beyond the classroom, you can participate in democratic decision-making, transformative justice practices, and public speaking, promoting a community that is inclusive and collaborative.
Image source – National History Academy logo
