15 Social Science Research Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 14 min read
Research is a useful skill to build early, especially if you plan to study subjects that rely on data and analysis. If you are in high school and interested in fields like economics, psychology, or political science, social science research programs are worth considering. These programs help you build skills like data analysis, survey design, and structured writing. You might work with datasets and case studies, or explore topics related to public policy and behavior. They are designed to show you how research is done step by step.
Why should I participate in a social science research program in high school?
Social science research programs for high school students help you practice research in a structured way. You learn how to frame questions, interpret data, and present findings in a logical format. They also give you an advantage over students who have only studied these subjects in class. You gain experience that shows you can work independently and handle more advanced material. These programs also strengthen your college applications by giving you specific work to include, such as research projects or reports.
To make your search easier, here are 15 social science research programs for high school students!
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
Several programs are free or provide stipends, including Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech ($750 stipend), USC Annenberg Youth Academy (fully funded), Princeton Summer Journalism Program (free for qualifying low-income students), UChicago DSI Summer Lab ($5,600 stipend), NIH Summer Internship (paid stipend), Child Mind Institute Youth Mental Health Academy ($1,750), and MITES Summer (free), making social science research accessible across income levels.
Programs span a wide range of social science disciplines including psychology and mental health (Wake Forest Psychology Institute, Child Mind Institute, NIH SIP), media and journalism (USC Annenberg, Princeton Summer Journalism), political science and government (Georgetown American Politics Academy), sociology and inequality (Syracuse, UCSB Research Mentorship), data science and public policy (UChicago DSI Summer Lab), and interdisciplinary humanities and STEM (Stanford SHTEM).
Several programs specifically prioritize students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds, including Princeton Summer Journalism (requires meeting socioeconomic criteria), USC Annenberg Youth Academy (Los Angeles County students near campus communities), UChicago DSI Summer Lab (Chicago-area students), and UPenn Social Justice Research Academy (free for Philadelphia public school students).
Students looking for programs that culminate in formal research papers or presentations can apply to Lumiere, HARP, UChicago DSI Summer Lab (video presentation and symposium), NIH SIP (NIH Poster Day presentation), UCSB Research Mentorship (research symposium), and Syracuse Sociology (credit-bearing with academic writing).
Deadlines are spread from January through May, with UChicago DSI Summer Lab closing January 12, Princeton Summer Journalism closing January 26, Child Mind Institute priority deadline January 15, and NIH SIP closing February 18, so students should begin identifying programs in the fall and apply to January deadline programs first.
Location: Remote, you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
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 research-based opportunity for high school students interested in independent study. In this program, you are paired with a mentor who has advanced academic experience, often at the PhD level, and you work together to develop a project in a subject you choose. Over a period of about 12 weeks, you meet regularly with your mentor to refine your ideas, conduct research, and complete a final paper. The program includes a range of subjects, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations, giving you the flexibility to focus on a field that matches your academic interests. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free + a $750 stipend offered
Application deadline: February 16
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week summer research program for high school students. In this program, you are matched with faculty members from the university or its Health Sciences Center and work on a research project under their guidance. During the program, you spend most of your time on hands-on research, while also participating in weekly seminars, discussions, and occasional field trips that provide a broader academic context. There are also organized social activities that allow you to interact with other participants. At the end of the program, you submit a research report, and students who complete it receive a $750 stipend.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites
Horizon offers trimester-based research programs for high school students across subjects such as data science, machine learning, and political theory. You can select either a quantitative or qualitative research approach, depending on your interests and the nature of your topic. Once you choose a track, you are paired with a mentor , typically a professor or researcher with doctoral training, who supports you as you shape and carry out your project. Throughout the program, you work toward completing a research paper of roughly 20 pages that reflects your analysis and findings. You also receive ongoing feedback to help improve your work, and at the end of the program, you may request a letter of recommendation to use for future academic opportunities.
Location: USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Fully funded
Application deadline: April 19
Dates: June 15 – July 2
Eligibility: High school students residing and attending high school in Los Angeles County
The Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement is a three-week summer program hosted by USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism for high school students from communities near its University Park and Health Science campuses. The program introduces you to college-level coursework focused on media, journalism, and civic engagement. During the program, you build skills in writing, critical analysis, public speaking, and multimedia production. You also gain exposure to research-oriented methods such as interviewing and ethnographic observation, which are used to examine how media influences communities and public life. In addition, you attend sessions that explore academic pathways and careers in communication-related fields, with opportunities to interact with faculty and media professionals. The program includes daily meals, possible transportation support, and workshops on college admissions and essay writing.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: None
Application Deadline: January 26
Dates: Late June – early August
Eligibility: High school juniors who live in the United States, plan to attend college there, have at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA, and meet at least one of the listed socioeconomic criteria
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program is a summer opportunity at Princeton University for high school juniors from low-income backgrounds. The program begins with virtual classes and lectures in July, followed by a 10-day residential session on campus, where you stay in undergraduate housing and take part in workshops and seminars on journalism. During the program, you learn how reporting and media production work through hands-on activities such as creating digital content, participating in a film workshop, and collaborating with peers to produce a newspaper called The Princeton Summer Journal. You may also visit news organizations to observe professional environments. While the program is primarily focused on journalism, it includes elements of research such as gathering information, conducting interviews, and analyzing sources to support your reporting.
Location: Virtual + in person at Child Mind Institute, San Mateo, CA
Stipend: $1,750
Application deadline: Priority deadline: January 15; Final deadline: February 28
Dates: Summer Academy: June 22 – July 23 + Year-Round Programming: August – March (Virtual workshops and mentorship)
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in Los Angeles County schools with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher
The Youth Mental Health Academy is a 14-month, paid program for high school students in California who are interested in mental health careers. Throughout the program, you explore topics such as mental health disorders, treatment strategies, and research methods through project-based lessons and group discussions. During the summer, you complete a capstone project focused on a mental health topic of your choice, giving you hands-on experience with research and analysis. The program continues during the school year with virtual workshops on college preparation and career development. In the following summer, you participate in an internship in either a community or research setting, allowing you to apply your learning in a practical environment and gain further experience in the field.
Location: John Crerar Library at the University of Chicago, Hyde Park campus, IL
Cost: No cost; $5,600 stipend
Application Deadline: January 12
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Eligibility: High school students (freshmen through seniors) who live/attend school in the Chicago area
The DSI Summer Lab is an eight-week, paid research program for high school students in the Chicago area. In the program, you are paired with a mentor in a data science field, such as public policy, climate science, materials science, or biomedical research, and work on a hands-on project in a real-world context. You develop technical skills like programming and data analysis while also practicing research methods, including forming hypotheses, collaborating with a team, and presenting your findings. The program includes additional activities such as a weekly speaker series, professional development sessions, and social events with other participants. At the end of the program, you create a final presentation, often in video format, and share your research at a symposium.
Location: NIH campuses in the U.S.
Cost: None. A stipend is paid amount is adjusted annually and is based on educational level. Check details here
Application deadline: February 18
Dates: Eight weeks starting typically in June
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are 18 years or older by September 30 and enrolled at least half-time in an accredited educational institution
The NIH Summer Internship Program places high school students in full-time research positions within active NIH laboratories and research teams. You work under the supervision of a Principal Investigator and contribute directly to ongoing projects in biomedical, behavioral, or social science fields, including areas such as psychology and mental health. The program gives you hands-on experience with the research process, including experimental design, data collection, and analysis, while allowing you to observe professional research practices in a laboratory setting. You also participate in structured sessions on research careers and healthcare pathways. At the end of the program, you present your findings at NIH Poster Day, providing an opportunity to communicate your research to the scientific community.
9. MITES Summer
Location: Boston, MA
Cost: Free of charge
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: Late June to early August
Eligibility: High school students in grade 11, US citizens, or permanent residents
MITES Summer (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science) is a six-week residential program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for high school students interested in STEM fields. During the program, you follow a structured academic schedule that covers subjects such as mathematics, life sciences, physics, and humanities, along with a project-based elective. Classes typically take up most of the weekdays, giving you a sense of how college-level coursework is organized. Alongside your classes, you may work on projects that involve elements of research, such as applying scientific methods, analyzing data, or solving open-ended problems within your elective. Outside the classroom, you live on campus, take part in community activities, and explore the surrounding area. At the end of the program, you receive a written evaluation that outlines your academic progress and areas for improvement, along with access to an alumni network that can guide future academic paths.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free, but with a USD 95 non-refundable application fee
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Eligibility: Currently a high school senior or junior, must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. International students are not allowed to apply.
The SHTEM (Stanford Humanities in STEM) Summer Internship at Stanford University is a non-residential program for high school students interested in interdisciplinary study. The program focuses on the connection between STEM fields and the humanities, with topics that may include engineering, psychology, biology, computer science, philosophy, linguistics, and design. A central part of the experience is research. You spend around 20 to 30 hours each week working on a project, often in a lab or research group, where you apply methods from both technical and human-centered disciplines. This approach encourages you to consider how scientific and technological work relates to broader social and ethical questions. Since the program is non-residential, you are responsible for arranging your own housing and transportation during the internship.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $ 6,700; School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school students may be able to attend free of charge with scholarships
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: July 11 – 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11
The Social Justice Research Academy is a three-week summer program at the University of Pennsylvania for high school students interested in social sciences, humanities, or the arts. The program focuses on examining both historical and contemporary issues related to inequality and social movements, including topics such as civil rights, climate change, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and prison reform. During the program, you take part in lectures, workshops, and group discussions led by faculty and guest speakers, while developing skills in research, analysis, and communication. You also visit cultural and historical sites in Philadelphia, such as the National Constitution Center, to connect your learning with real-world contexts. A key component of the program is the capstone project, where you formulate a research question and create an action plan, using university resources to investigate a social justice issue through either academic or creative work.
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,500; need-based scholarships are available
Application deadline: Applications open on November 1 and are reviewed on a rolling basis
Dates: July 12 – 17; July 19 – 24
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9–12
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Psychology Institute at Wake Forest University is a program for high school students interested in studying human behavior and mental processes. During the program, you explore topics such as brain structure, perception, emotion, and the influence of cognitive biases, along with areas like neurological disorders, addiction, and neuroplasticity. You take part in a mix of interactive sessions and practical activities, including lab-based work and observational research, which introduces you to how psychological studies are conducted. These experiences may involve examining brain structures, running simple experiments, or analyzing behavioral patterns. The program also includes a research component where you collaborate with peers to investigate a topic and present your findings at the end, under the guidance of faculty with advanced academic training.
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Cost: Residential: $5,595; Commuter: $4,624
Application Deadline: May 1
Dates: July 5 – 17
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors or recent high school graduates
This two-week, credit-bearing course introduces high school students to core sociological concepts and basic research methods. You will study how social structures, such as class, race, gender, and disability , contribute to inequality across institutions and communities. Throughout the course, you will engage in close reading of sociological texts, practice academic writing, and apply both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze real-world issues. You will explore how individual behaviors, roles, and relationships intersect with larger social structures to produce patterns of inequality. A key part of the course involves hands-on research, giving you experience in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, which mirrors the way sociologists investigate social disparities.
Location: Residential, UC Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Commuter: $5,675; Residential: $13,274 (Limited scholarships available) | None
Application Deadline: March 9
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Eligibility: High school students all over the world who are in 10th and 11th grade | Minimum GPA of 3.8
The Research Mentorship Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara, allows high school students to engage in university-level research alongside faculty, postdoctoral researchers, or graduate students. In the sociology track, you explore social structures, behaviors, and institutions while applying both qualitative and quantitative research methods. You gain hands-on experience in survey design, conducting interviews, analyzing data with tools such as SPSS or R, and academic writing. The program also includes “GRIT Talks,” where UCSB researchers share insights on ongoing studies and emerging technologies. The program concludes with a symposium where you present your research findings, providing practical experience in communicating results to an academic audience.
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C
Cost: Residential: $3,725 | Commuter: $3,095; need-based financial aid is available.
Application deadline: Early bird deadline: January 31; final deadline: April 15
Dates: June 7 – 13
Eligibility: High school students with at least a 2.0 GPA
The American Politics Academy is a program for high school students that explores the structure and functions of the U.S. government, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Through lectures, discussions, and interactive exercises, you examine how political parties, public opinion, and interest groups shape policy and influence political behavior. You also study how social and cultural changes impact governance and political movements at the local, state, and national levels. The program provides opportunities to engage with elected officials, lobbyists, congressional staff, and policymakers, offering firsthand insight into legislative processes, campaigns, and current issues. Activities include simulations of congressional procedures and group exercises that allow you to analyze topics such as the roles of Congress and the presidency, judicial influence, foreign policy, and fiscal decision-making.
Frequently asked questions
What types of social science research programs are available for high school students?
Options include independent mentored research programs (Lumiere, HARP), paid university data science and policy research internships (UChicago DSI Summer Lab, NIH SIP), free journalism and media programs (USC Annenberg, Princeton Summer Journalism), psychology and mental health programs (Wake Forest, Child Mind Institute), political science and government programs (Georgetown American Politics Academy), sociology and social justice programs (UPenn Social Justice Research Academy, Syracuse, UCSB), and interdisciplinary humanities programs (Stanford SHTEM, MITES Summer).
Which social science programs offer the largest stipends or financial support?
UChicago DSI Summer Lab provides a $5,600 stipend for eight weeks of data science research. Child Mind Institute Youth Mental Health Academy provides $1,750 over a 14-month program. NIH Summer Internship provides a stipend based on educational level. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech provides $750 upon completion. Princeton Summer Journalism is fully free for qualifying low-income students. USC Annenberg Youth Academy is fully funded for Los Angeles County students.
Which programs are best for students interested in psychology or mental health research?
Child Mind Institute Youth Mental Health Academy is the most sustained option, providing a 14-month paid program combining summer coursework, a capstone research project, and a second-summer internship in a community or research setting. Wake Forest University Psychology Institute introduces brain structure, cognition, emotional behavior, and neuroplasticity through lab-based and observational research over one week. NIH Summer Internship may place students in behavioral or social science labs covering psychology and mental health depending on the assigned Principal Investigator.
Are there social science programs specifically for students from underrepresented backgrounds?
Princeton Summer Journalism Program requires students to meet at least one socioeconomic criterion and serves high school juniors from low-income backgrounds. USC Annenberg Youth Academy is designed for students from communities near USC's University Park and Health Science campuses. UChicago DSI Summer Lab prioritizes Chicago-area high school students. UPenn Social Justice Research Academy offers free attendance for students from Philadelphia public and charter schools. Child Mind Institute is specifically for students enrolled in Los Angeles County schools.
Which programs offer college credit alongside the research experience?
Syracuse University Summer College Sociology Track is an explicitly credit-bearing two-week course. UCSB Research Mentorship Program awards college credit upon completion. UPenn Social Justice Research Academy and Georgetown American Politics Academy provide university-level coursework that may support college preparation though credit policies vary. Students should verify current credit policies directly with each program before applying.
When should I apply to social science research programs for high school students?
UChicago DSI Summer Lab closes January 12 and Child Mind Institute's priority deadline is January 15. Princeton Summer Journalism closes January 26 and Georgetown American Politics Academy's early bird deadline is January 31. NIH SIP closes around February 18. UCSB Research Mentorship closes March 9 and USC Annenberg closes April 19. Syracuse closes May 1. Students should begin researching in the fall and prioritize January deadline programs well before the winter break.
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.