10 History Research Opportunities for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Feb 20
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
History research programs allow high school students to dive deeper into historical topics while gaining exposure to college-level academics and life. These programs introduce you to research methodologies, critical thinking, and academic writing while offering industry exposure and networking opportunities. Many of these programs offer funding options such as stipends and financial aid. If you're interested in history and want to explore it further, a summer research program can be an excellent way to expand your knowledge.
Participating in a history research program can also demonstrate your interest in the field and ability to handle advanced academic work to college admissions officers. The following list highlights history research programs that provide opportunities to work with primary sources, develop research skills, and make meaningful contributions to the field. We’ve made this selection based on factors such as funding, low acceptance rates, and the prestige of the hosting institutions.
Here are 10 great history research opportunities for high school students!
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—History Track
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary by cohort. The deadline for the upcoming winter cohort is December 29
Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the fall from September to December, the winter from December to February, and the spring from March to June
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct independent research with guidance from a dedicated PhD mentor. Over 12 weeks, students collaborate with their mentor and a writing coach to develop a research topic and complete an independent research paper.
The program includes workshops on research methods and supports research across fields such as history, psychology, physics, engineering, and more. Students interested in history can explore topics like “Gender & Education in Global & Comparative Perspectives” or “Environmental History of Earth.” If existing topics don’t align with their interests, they can customize their research focus. More details on the application process can be found here.
Location: Stanford University, CA
Cost: Tuition is $8,575, covering housing, meals, activities, and field trips, with need-based financial aid available
Application Deadline: February 3
Dates: Session One (June 22 – July 11), Session Two (July 13 – August 1)
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 who are minors at the time of application
The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute is a three-week residential program for high school students interested in history and the humanities. During the program, you will engage develop your own research project with guidance from Stanford professors and mentors. Topics can include politics, literature, global history, and specific subjects like the American Enlightenment or ancient Greek philosophy. In addition to academic learning, you will participate in field trips and weekend activities. More details on available courses can be found here.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Tuition for the Summer Academies is $9,949, with a $100 application fee; Public or charter high school students in the School District of Philadelphia may be eligible for a Penn Summer Scholarship to attend for free.
Application Deadline: April 27
Dates: July 5 – 26
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade students with a minimum GPA of 3.5
The Social Justice Research Academy offers students the chance to explore social issues through sociology, history, and politics. With a focus on critical thinking, the program addresses topics like inequality and resistance while helping you build leadership, research, and analytical skills. Led by Penn faculty and Teaching Fellows, the program offers daily classes, discussions, and guest lectures from experts in the field. The program includes visits to Penn’s Van Pelt Library and historical sites in Philadelphia, such as the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church and the National Constitution Center. The program culminates in a capstone project, an academic paper or a creative presentation on themes like civil rights, immigration, or climate change.
Location: Fordham University Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, NY
Cost: Commuter program tuition: $3,673 (includes course, materials, lunches, and excursions); Residential program tuition: $4,800 (includes course, materials, housing, meals, and excursions)
Application Deadline: Commuter program: May 14; Residential program: April 14
Dates: July 21 – 31
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their first year and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Fordham University’s New York Exploration of Art History Program introduces high school students to art history through visits to New York’s museums and galleries. You will explore art from diverse regions, including Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa, examining the cultural significance and appreciation of different art forms. Classes are held at institutions like The Met, where you will analyze major artworks while honing your visual literacy, writing, and research skills. The program includes writing workshops and activities to strengthen observation and interpretation abilities. By the end of the program, you will have developed essential skills for studying art history and be prepared for college-level courses. Enrollment is limited to 20 students, ensuring an individualized learning experience.
Location: Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Boarding Students: $4,950 – $5,250; Commuter Students: $3,950 – $4,100
Application Deadline: Early: December 31; Final: February 28
Dates: July 21 – August 1
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Hoover Institution’s History Skills Academy is a two-week summer program to help high school students develop advanced historical research skills. Up to 24 participants will learn research best practices, evidence analysis, and academic writing techniques while working with resources from Stanford’s Cecil B. Green Library and the Hoover Institution’s Library & Archives. In partnership with The Concord Review (TCR), the program offers expert instruction and a specialized curriculum focused on analyzing primary sources. You will begin crafting a 4,000–8,000-word research paper on a topic of your choice, which you can complete after the program and potentially submit for publication in TCR.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $5,175 (commuter option) | $12,474 (residential option). A limited number of scholarships are awarded based on need, qualifications, and availability
Application Deadline: March 17
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11 with a minimum GPA of 3.8; exceptional 9th graders may be considered on a case-by-case basis
UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program (RMP) is a highly selective summer opportunity for high school students to engage in university-level research. You will be paired with a mentor—a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty member—and select a research project from various disciplines, including history. You will dedicate 35–50 hours per week to research, utilizing library resources, conducting fieldwork, and collecting data. The program also includes GRIT talks, a lecture series where UC Santa Barbara researchers discuss their projects. By the end of the program, you will complete a technical research paper, present your findings at an academic symposium, and earn 8 college credits through interdisciplinary courses on research and presentation techniques. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Maryland Center for History and Culture, Baltimore, MD
Cost: The cost ranges from $8 to $10 per student, depending on the chosen program
Application Deadline: None
Dates: Sessions last 1–2 hours, with a minimum of 7 students and a maximum of 20 students
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
The Student Research Center for History (SeaRCH) offers students the opportunity to conduct primary source-based historical research at the Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC). You will gain access to MCHC’s extensive collections, including manuscripts, photographs, and artifacts, while working with researchers to develop research and analytical skills. The program provides three options: Introduction to Research, where students learn to analyze original sources on topics like the American Revolution and Civil Rights Movement; Custom SeaRCH Programs, allowing research on Maryland and U.S. history with advance notice; and National History Day Research, which supports primary source research aligned with the annual History Day theme.
Location: Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Cost: $4,500, which includes accommodation, meals, evening programming, and transportation and admission for site visits
Application Deadline: April 30
Dates: July 6 – 18
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Suffolk University’s Summer Public History Institute is a two-week residential program that explores Boston's colonial and Revolutionary history. You will participate in historical site tours, group discussions, and exclusive museum visits led by Suffolk’s history and art & design faculty. The program focuses on developing skills in historical research, museum studies, and digital interpretation. At the end of the program, you will create a custom digital exhibit using Meta Quest virtual reality technology, which you can keep. You will also visit key Boston landmarks, including the Paul Revere House, USS Constitution Museum and Ship, and the Black Heritage Trail. Additionally, you will have the chance to network with Suffolk University alumni involved with Boston's cultural institutions.
Location: New York Historical Society, New York, NY
Cost: The program is free to participate in, with a $700 stipend awarded upon completion.
Application Deadline: Summer internship applications open in early February, while academic year internship applications open in early June.
Dates: Academic year (October 23 – June 11) and summer (early July to mid-August).
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12 who live and attend school in the New York City metro area, including NYC’s five boroughs, and parts of New York State, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
The Student Historian Internship Program offers the chance to use the New York Historical Society’s resources for research and digital project creation, with a focus on public education. You will meet with staff to gain insights into the museum, library, digital humanities, and history sectors. Additionally, you will collaborate with fellow interns to improve your historical research, communication, and digital skills. The program involves significant research and writing on the theme “Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America.” The internship is offered twice a year—once during the academic year and once in the summer—with 25 interns selected for each session.
Location: Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate; participants will receive a $150 stipend
Application Deadline: Information about the session will be available in the spring
Dates: July 22 – August 2
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12
The Museum of History and Industry’s History Lab is a summer program for high school students interested in local history and storytelling. You will refine your research skills, explore ways to interpret history, and work on a project on a topic of your choice. Held at MOHAI with off-site field trips, each session focuses on a specific theme, such as Seattle’s architectural history. You will research MOHAI’s collection, conduct fieldwork, and learn to present history through digital tools. At the end of the program, projects will be published on the Rainy Day History website. Enrollment is limited to six participants.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - Stanford University Logo
