History programs for high school students go far beyond memorizing dates and events. They introduce you to primary sources, archival research, museum interpretation, and critical analysis of how narratives are constructed and preserved. In a structured program, you might analyze original documents, design public-facing exhibits, conduct independent research, or engage in community-based historical work. These experiences help you understand how history shapes policy, culture, and identity in the present. Whether hosted by museums, universities, or national institutions, strong programs emphasize intellectual rigor, mentorship, and real-world application.
Why should you choose a history program?
A strong history program challenges you to think like a historian rather than simply study history. You learn how to interrogate primary sources, identify bias, trace cause and effect, and build evidence-based arguments. Instead of completing routine assignments, you may produce original research, contribute to an exhibition, design a digital humanities project, or lead public discussions grounded in historical analysis. These tangible outcomes not only strengthen college applications but also demonstrate initiative, intellectual maturity, and the ability to handle complex material. Along the way, you gain exposure to pathways in law, journalism, public policy, academia, and cultural institutions while sharpening critical thinking skills that apply far beyond the humanities.
In this guide, we’ve highlighted paid and fully funded opportunities that combine academic depth with valuable hands-on exposure.
12 Paid History Programs for High School Students
1. Texas Tech University – Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Stipend: $750 stipend
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 by the start date | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Graduating this year or next
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program places you in an intensive seven-week research experience at Texas Tech University, where you work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on an original research project. Although the program spans multiple disciplines, if you’re interested in history and the humanities, you can pursue research in areas such as political science, cultural studies, or historically grounded social inquiry. You are expected to contribute meaningfully to your mentor’s ongoing research while developing your own academic question. The experience culminates in a formal research presentation, giving you exposure to scholarly communication at a university level.
2. Library of Congress High School Work Study Program
Location: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid (GS-01/01 federal salary); transit benefits and possible leave eligibility
Dates: Appointments are negotiable; up to one year, ending June 30 of the student’s graduation year
Application deadline: Rolling until April 24
Eligibility: U.S. citizens at least 16 years old, enrolled in a local high school within a 45-minute commute; juniors or seniors; part-time availability during the school year required
Through this year-long federal employment program, you gain paid professional experience inside one of the most significant historical institutions in the country. You work part-time during the school year in structured roles that combine on-the-job training with career development support. While assignments vary, you may assist with research support, administrative tasks, and projects connected to collections or public service operations. The schedule is designed to accommodate school hours, making it possible to build real workplace experience before graduation.
3. The New York Historical Student Historian Internship Program
Location: New-York Historical Society, New York, NY
Stipend: $700
Dates: July 7–August 13
Application deadline: March 29
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12 who live in and attend school in the NYC metro area (includes parts of NY, NJ, and CT)
As a Student Historian, you conduct sustained archival research using the museum’s collections and develop a substantial digital humanities project based on your findings. You collaborate with museum professionals and fellow interns while strengthening your historical writing, analytical thinking, and media production skills. The program involves in-depth engagement with American history themes and requires meaningful research and revision. Your final project is published as a public-facing educational resource, allowing your scholarship to reach audiences beyond the classroom.
4. Smithsonian Young Ambassadors Program
Location: 19 cities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, including Smithsonian-affiliated institutions
Stipend: Paid
Dates: One-week training seminar in Washington, D.C. (June) + Four-week interdisciplinary community practicum
Application deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors authorized to work in the U.S. | Minimum weighted cumulative GPA of 3.25/4.0 | Fluent in English | Must enroll full-time in a degree-seeking program at an accredited college or university
The Young Ambassadors Program is a national leadership and college preparatory initiative that combines intensive training in Washington, D.C., with a hands-on community practicum. During the week-long seminar, you engage with Smithsonian collections, meet experts across the arts and humanities, and explore Latino history and culture through curated institutional resources. After the seminar, you complete a four-week practicum at a museum or cultural organization in your home community, applying what you learned in a professional setting. By the end, you have both national-level exposure and community-based experience connected to the humanities.
5. Summer Internship Program at Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Location: New York, NY, remote, or hybrid
Stipend: $17.00/hour
Dates: June 1 – August 28
Application deadline: March 27
Eligibility: High school students
This internship places you inside a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening American history education nationwide. You may contribute to projects in museum collection management, educational programming, curriculum initiatives, or nonprofit operations, depending on placement. The work is substantive and professional, requiring independent responsibility and consistent communication with supervisors. You gain exposure to how history education is developed and delivered at scale, from classroom materials to public programs. The experience is well-suited for those interested in public history, education policy, or nonprofit leadership within the humanities sector.
6. The Met Internship Program for High School Students
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,100
Dates: Approximately 10 to 20 hours per week from July 7 to August 7
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors based in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
This internship introduces you to the daily operations of one of the largest art museums in the United States through structured, department-based placements. You work alongside professionals in areas such as curatorial research, imaging, education, design, or digital media, depending on assignment. The program includes Career Lab sessions where museum experts discuss their professional paths and industry practices. You engage in collaborative projects and hands-on tasks that build workplace readiness and historical interpretation skills. Consistent mentorship and small cohort interaction ensure that you gain both technical insight and professional exposure.
7. Minnesota History Center Internships
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Year-round opportunities available
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
At the Minnesota History Center, you take on an active role in visitor engagement and historical interpretation rather than observing from the sidelines. You greet guests, answer questions, and facilitate interactive learning experiences within gallery spaces. As an intern, you learn interpretive techniques and presentation strategies to communicate historical content clearly to individuals and groups. In addition to public-facing responsibilities, you may assist with research or operational tasks that support museum programming. The program is designed to build both confidence in public speaking and foundational knowledge of museum work.
8. Living History Youth Summer Institute
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: July 1 – August 13
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High school or college students (ages 16–21)
This six-week intensive immerses you in costumed historical interpretation focused on the lives of people of African descent during the Revolutionary era. You participate in workshops on museum education, curation, and interpretive planning while developing a historically grounded public presentation. Field visits to historic sites expand your understanding of how narratives are shaped and shared across institutions. The program culminates in a public Interpretation Day, where you present researched stories in period costume to a live audience. It is particularly strong for students interested in public history, performance-based interpretation, and African American history.
9. Stephen Tyrone Johns Summer Youth Leadership Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 7 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Spring
Eligibility: D.C. area high school students
This seven-week internship immerses you in Holocaust education while training you as a youth leader within a museum setting. You study the history of the Holocaust in depth and then translate that knowledge into action by leading guided tours of the Permanent Exhibition for visitors. In addition to tour leadership, you design and facilitate educational programming for peers and younger students, strengthening both your historical understanding and public speaking skills. The program requires prior completion of the museum’s preparatory coursework. Throughout the summer, you collaborate with other student leaders to host national youth seminars and develop outreach initiatives.
10. National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C
Stipend: $5,600 stipend award ($700/week)
Dates: June 23 – August 14
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students ages 15 – 18
This intensive internship places you within active museum departments where you work on supervised projects two to three days each week, alongside enrichment programming. Depending on placement, you may focus on exhibit writing, anthropology restoration, paleobiology research, or science communication. As an intern, you also develop research, writing, laboratory, or interpretive skills while learning how museums balance scholarship with public accessibility. Structured project days are complemented by workshops and behind-the-scenes experiences that broaden your understanding of museum careers.
11. National Archives Voluntary Internship Program
Location: Various National Archives facilities across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Eligible for academic credit
Dates: Spring: Late January – April | Summer: Late May – August | Fall: September – early December
Application deadline: Summer: Opens March 16
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are high school students (at least 18 years old)
This internship places you inside a federal agency responsible for preserving and providing access to some of the nation’s most significant historical records. You may work in departments such as archival processing, digitization, conservation, museum exhibits, education, or public history, depending on placement and interest. You handle original documents and assist with organizing, describing, or preparing materials for public access, gaining firsthand exposure to professional archival standards. You may also contribute to research support, public programming, or communications initiatives tied to historical collections.
12. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Hosted at various U.S. college campuses (e.g., Cornell University)
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; includes tuition, housing, meals, books, field trips, and travel assistance
Dates: June 21 – July 25
Application deadline: December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 15–17) in the U.S. and abroad; specific age and grade criteria apply
TASS is a residential program that immerses you in intensive humanities study at a host college campus. You choose between seminar tracks such as Critical Black Studies (TASS-CBS) or Anti-Oppressive Studies (TASS-AOS), both of which examine how history, literature, and culture reflect systems of power and inequality. Each weekday includes a three-hour, discussion-based seminar built around close reading, primary sources, and analytical writing with detailed instructor feedback. You are expected to complete substantial readings and multiple essays, mirroring the demands of a college-level course. Beyond academics, you participate in a self-governing community where you practice leadership, public speaking, and collaborative decision-making.
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: Telluride Association