As a student interested in the social sciences, the field can feel fascinating but also a little broad at times. You might enjoy learning about history, politics, psychology, or economics, but still wonder how these subjects are studied beyond school. Social sciences are not only limited to academic theories, but they also involve research, discussions, and exploring how societies and human behaviour shape the world around us. That is why social sciences research programmes for high school students can be such a valuable way to explore the field more deeply.

Picture yourself analyzing historical sources, debating policy ideas with other students, or working on a research project about social issues that matter today. You might spend your time examining economic trends, studying political systems, or learning how researchers investigate human behaviour. Through these experiences, you’ll learn how social science research works in real academic settings.

How do you choose the right social sciences research programs for high school students?

It can be difficult to decide which program is the right fit for you. Some programs focus on one discipline, like psychology or economics, while others take a broader approach that includes politics, history, or global studies. That’s why finding the right information is important. 

Many universities and organizations offer social sciences research programs that are interactive, discussion-based, and designed for high school students. You’ll explore topics like public policy, media and society, economics, diplomacy, and mental health through seminars, research projects, simulations, and mentorship. Some programs offer university-style seminars, while others focus more on applied research and real-world social issues.

Once the program begins, you’ll have to put in the effort. For now, to make your search easier, here’s a list of 15 social sciences research programs for high school students. These are selected for their academic depth, hands-on learning, and research opportunities.

For adjacent opportunities, you can also look at psychology summer programs. 

15 Social Sciences Research Programmes for High School Students

1. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)

Location: Cornell University;  University of Maryland
Cost: Free
Dates: June 21st – July 25th
Application Deadline: December 3rd
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors; Open to international students 

Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) offers a free educational summer experience to high school students. You’ll explore the role of power and privilege in forming and modifying social structures. Through TASS-CBS, you’ll attend seminars focused on a range of disciplines, including politics, literature, art, and history, while also learning about the cultural and intellectual contributions of people of African descent.

TASS-AOS will allow you to explore topics in history, art, and literature, and to understand how power influences social structures. You’ll attend faculty-led lectures, participate in group discussions, and engage in a range of other activities, including book and article reading, essay writing, and working on community service projects.

Why it stands out: It offers rigorous intellectual seminars and community living, helping you develop advanced critical thinking and collaborative discussion skills well before college.

2. Immerse Education’s PPE Summer School

Location: Oxford, and Cambridge
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school; Open to international students 

Immerse Education’s PPE Summer School is one of the more interdisciplinary social sciences research programmes for high school students, combining philosophy, politics, and economics through critical discussions, case studies, and interactive seminars. The programme helps you build a stronger understanding of societal issues, from political theory and public policy to economic principles and the role of government in shaping stability.

You’ll develop valuable skills in analytical and strategic thinking, argumentation, and problem-solving. You’ll receive one-on-one guidance from expert tutors, participate in philosophical debates, and develop self-confidence. 

Why it stands out: You’ll explore how political systems, economic decisions, and philosophical ideas shape real-world policies through discussions and case studies.

3. University of Southern California’s Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) for Media and Civic Engagement

Location: USC
Cost: Not specified
Dates: June 15th – July 2nd
Application Deadline: April 19th
Eligibility: Current high school students who reside in and attend schools from communities surrounding USC University Park and Health Science Campuses

Annenberg Youth Academy (AYA) for Media and Civic Engagement offers a three-week intensive summer experience to high school students. You’ll gain knowledge through college-level courses and develop an in-depth understanding of the importance of media and communications in forming civic-minded thought leaders.

You’ll explore careers in media and journalism, learn about the undergraduate programs offered by the academy, and interact with leading scholars from a range of fields, including journalism, public relations, and communication. The program will allow you to develop valuable skills in writing, interviewing, multimedia production, ethnography, and public speech and debate.

Why it stands out: You’ll explore media and journalism through college-level courses while building skills in writing, interviewing, multimedia storytelling, and public debate.

4. New York Historical Society’s Student Historian Internship Program

Location: New York Historical Society, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; a $700 stipend is paid
Dates: July 7th – August 13th
Application Deadline: March 29th
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grade high school students living and attending school in the New York City metro area, including the  five NYC boroughs and parts of New York State, Connecticut, and New Jersey

The New York Historical Society’s Student Historian Internship Program offers a paid learning opportunity to high school students. You’ll gain access to the New York Historical resources, engage in in-depth research, and work on producing creative digital projects. Your projects will be used as educational resources for the public. You’ll interact with the professional staff and gain knowledge about the library, museum, history fields, and digital humanities.

The program will allow you to work in collaboration with other students, engage in hands-on academic work, and explore American history in-depth. The theme of the internship is “Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America” and will help you develop a range of skills in historical thinking, digital media, and communication.

Why it stands out: It lets you work with historical collections and public history projects, helping you build archival research and museum interpretation skills.

5. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholar Program

Location: Texas Tech University
Cost/Stipend: Free ($25 application fee); $750 stipend is paid
Dates: June 21st – August 6th
Application Deadline: February 16th
Eligibility: Students who are a minimum of 17 years of age; Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents 

Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholar Program offers a seven-week summer research opportunity to high school students. The program will allow you to gain practical hands-on research experience, learn from experienced faculty members, and attend weekly seminars. Some of the research areas offered by the program include economics, physics, chemistry, computer science, and more.

You’ll participate in discussions, develop critical thinking skills, and explore careers in areas of your interest. The program is highly selective in nature and welcomes gifted high school students to learn in an engaging research environment.

Why it stands out: It offers one-on-one mentorship with Texas Tech faculty, so you’ll be able to deepen your subject understanding and craft a better research project report.

6. Leadership Seminars by the University of Notre Dame

Location: Notre Dame, IN
Cost/Stipend: Free (Application and enrollment fee to be paid)
Dates: July 18-29
Application Deadline: January 21st
Eligibility: Current high school juniors; Open to international students 

As one of the more discussion-driven social sciences research programmes for high school students, Leadership Seminars by the University of Notre Dame offer a competitive 10-day experience across topics such as global issues, inequality in America, AI ethics, and investing. You’ll have the opportunity to attend seminars based on your interests while exploring real-world questions through an academic lens.

Through these seminars, you’ll gain knowledge about a range of concepts, including war and violence, dehumanizing ideologies,  systematic discrimination, ethical discussions on AI, financial literacy, and many more. The seminars will allow you to explore real-world sensitive and important issues in the social sciences.

Why it stands out: You’ll join an intensive seminar on topics like AI ethics, global issues, or investing while discussing real-world social challenges with peers and faculty.

7. Museum of History and Industry’s (MOHAI) History Lab

Location: Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; a $150 stipend is paid
Dates: July 27th – August 7th
Application Deadline: May 22nd
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grade students; Open to international students 

Museum of History and Industry’s (MOHAI) History Lab offers an intensive summer learning opportunity to high school students. You’ll understand the impact and influence of power in historical studies. You’ll gain knowledge about the formation and production of ideas about the past and their modifications over time.

You’ll explore galleries, go on field trips, and understand the factors behind social and political changes. The program allows you to learn creative strategies involved in the interpretation of history. You’ll engage in creative exercises, conduct individual research while developing a range of valuable skills in historical analysis, writing, research, and editing.

Why it stands out: You’ll explore museum archives and exhibits, conduct your own research, and learn how historians analyze and interpret the past.

8. Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship (BFTF)

Location: Purdue University, IN
Cost: Free
Dates: June 23rd – July 21st
Application Deadline: March 8th
Eligibility: U.S. high school students ages 16-18. European Country Citizens and residents must apply from their country’s US Embassy 

Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship (BFTF) is a four-week intensive exchange program for high school students. The program includes four modules, each focusing on a specific component of Benjamin Franklin’s legacy. The modules are focused on International Relations & Diplomacy, Media and Communications, Civic Education and Democratic Citizenship, and Service and Volunteerism.

You’ll participate in simulations, role-playing games, group discussions, and debates. You’ll work on group projects and attend practical seminars and workshops, along with going to site visits and enjoying social and cultural activities.

Why it stands out: You’ll explore diplomacy, media, and civic leadership through simulations, debates, and group projects while engaging with students from different countries.

9. Child Mind Institute Youth Mental Health Academy

Location:  California locations for first summer;  Remote, hybrid, and in-person options available
Cost/Stipend: Free: Up to a $1,750 stipend is paid
Dates: Summer Academy: June 22nd – July 23rd
Application Deadline: Priority: January 15th; Final: February 28th
Eligibility: California high school students 

For students interested in psychology and wellbeing, the Child Mind Institute Youth Mental Health Academy is one of the most applied social sciences research programmes for high school students. You’ll engage in hands-on learning, interactive lessons, and discussions that build your understanding of real-world challenges in mental health.

You’ll learn about mental health disorders, work on a Capstone Research project, and explore careers in the field while preparing for college. You’ll receive mentorship and integrated support, and have the opportunity to earn a stipend. 

Why it stands out: You’ll learn about mental health disorders, work on a capstone research project, and explore careers in psychology and mental health.

10. Economics for Leaders (EFL)

Location: Multiple  University Sites
Cost: Varies by location
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to July
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors; Open to international students 

For students interested in policy and decision-making, Economics for Leaders is one of the strongest social sciences research programmes for high school students. You’ll explore economics concepts, leadership theory, and reasoning while developing the skills to apply economic analysis to public policy decisions through simulations and hands-on learning.

You’ll engage in thoughtful discussions, develop an in-depth understanding of economic principles, and also explore leadership through contextual, personal, and relational domains. You’ll also gain exposure to ten topics in relation to the Economic Reasoning Propositions (ERPs), including labour markets, money and inflation, international markets, opportunity cost, and more.

Why it stands out: You’ll apply economic concepts to real policy decisions through simulations and discussions while building leadership and critical thinking skills.

11. University of Toronto’s Summer Psychology Research Initiative (SPRINT)

Location: University of Toronto, St. George campus
Cost: Free
Dates: 10 days during the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in Ontario

University of Toronto’s Summer Psychology Research Initiative (SPRINT) is a free program for high school students. The program aims to provide opportunities in mental health to students from racialized and underrepresented backgrounds.

Over the course of two weeks, you’ll gain hands-on research experience and explore a range of areas and disciplines in  Psychology. You’ll receive training in statistics, research methodology, diversity and inclusion, and equity. The program offers an experiential learning opportunity where you receive mentorship and participate in community engagement. 

Why it stands out: You’ll gain hands-on psychology research experience while learning statistics, research methods, and mental health topics with mentorship.

12. Yale Young Global Scholars: Politics, Law, and Economics

Location: Yale University campus
Cost/Stipend: $7,000
Dates: Multiple sessions. More information here
Application Deadline: January 7th
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors ages 16-18; Open to international students 

Yale Young Global Scholars: Politics, Law, and Economics allows you to explore your interest in economics. You’ll gain knowledge about economic theories, government practices, and explore legal frameworks through comparative and historical perspectives.

You’ll learn about a range of topics, including international policy, public policy, border conflicts and cooperation, human rights, market regulations, and government structures. The program will allow you to develop a range of skills in critical and analytical thinking while learning to examine social systems.

Why it stands out: You’ll explore how governments, laws, and markets interact while studying topics like human rights, public policy, and international relations.

13. Wake Forest Summer Immersion Psychology Institute

Location: Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,500 (Subject to change)
Dates: July 12-17; July 19-24
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school students worldwide

Wake Forest Summer Immersion Psychology Institute offers one-week hands-on learning sessions to high school students. You’ll gain knowledge about a range of psychology concepts, including emotions, illusions, and biases, and how these phenomena impact our understanding of the world around us.

You’ll engage in an independent observational study, engage in hands-on activities including brain training and neuroplasticity, sensory perception lab, and guided sheep brain dissection. You’ll explore different topics such as the psychology of addiction, how emotions affect our daily life, the magic of neuroscience, sensation and perception, and the disordered brain. 

Why it stands out: You’ll study psychology through activities like brain dissections, perception labs, and an observational research project you present at the end.

14. Syracuse University Summer College: Sociology Track

Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Cost: Residential: $5,595; Commuter: $4,624
Dates: July 5-17 (subject to change)
Application Deadline: May 1st (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors from around the world

Syracuse University Summer College: Sociology Track allows you to understand the relationship between our lives as individuals and the social world. You’ll understand the reason behind connecting cultures, history, and political economy with individual lives. You’ll explore the importance of sociological knowledge in bringing social change.

You’ll participate in critical reading sessions, classroom discussions, and explore particular study areas in Sociology. The program will also allow students to engage in academic writing and critical analysis.

Why it stands out: You’ll study how society shapes individual lives through discussions, readings, and academic writing in sociology.

15. UPenn’s Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES) Program

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 30th – August 8th (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Local students who have completed grade 9, 10, or 11 by the summer with a  3.0/4.0 GPA 

UPenn’s Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES) Program offers a free research mentorship opportunity for high school students. You’ll engage in hands-on environmental research, work on developing testable hypotheses from ideas, and interpret research findings.

The program will help you enhance your college applications through valuable research work. You’ll attend seminars, go on field trips, and explore environmental science careers through guidance from mentors. You’ll develop basic laboratory skills, write a research report, and present your work to guests through a public presentation.

Why it stands out: You’ll work on an environmental research project, develop and test your own ideas, and present your findings in a final report and presentation.

From Ideas and Evidence to University Confidence

Some summer experiences simply fill time, but others change the way you think by pushing you to question assumptions, test ideas, and defend your reasoning.

Across these social sciences research programmes for high school students, you can find archival research, media analysis, policy debate, psychology projects, and discussions that feel far closer to university study than schoolwork.

What you gain is not just subject knowledge, but stronger habits of inquiry: clearer writing, better discussion, sharper analysis, and more confidence with independent academic work.

With those skills already taking shape, explore our University Preparation blogs for practical guidance on strengthening your study habits, planning ahead, and stepping into university life with greater confidence.