10 Economics Research Opportunities for Middle School Students

If you're a middle schooler curious about how money works, what drives global markets, or why people make certain financial choices, exploring economics early can be both eye-opening and useful. While research programs in this field are more common at the high school level, there are still a few options designed for younger students who want to dive into economics through projects, mentorship, or hands-on activities. 

Below are ten real-world economics-related opportunities open to middle school students, ranging from competitions and summer camps to guided research experiences. Each one provides a different way to learn the basics of economics while helping you build critical thinking and analytical skills.

10 Economics Research Opportunities for Middle School Students

1. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: 8 weeks, varies by cohort

Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8

If you’re looking for an online guided program, Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program may meet your needs. You will be paired with PhD mentors from prestigious universities, such as Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and Princeton, who are experts in their fields. You can study a subject of your choice, including medicine, engineering, business, economics, history, and so on. The program helps you learn to read and interpret academic literature, build research questions, and create outputs such as a high school-level research paper or case study. You can expect to develop critical thinking and scientific communication skills through feedback sessions. Lumiere also offers a Junior Research and Publication Program for students who wish to publish their research in academic journals in 16 weeks.

2. UC Berkeley Middle School After School Virtual Program

Location: Virtual (hosted by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business)

Cost/Stipend: $1,895 + $85 non-refundable application fee

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: February 1 – April 15

Application Deadline: December 20

Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6–

This fully virtual after-school program introduces middle school students to business and entrepreneurship through hands-on, interactive sessions. You'll explore foundational business concepts while working in teams to develop real-world solutions, using tools like the Business Model Canvas. Each year the program has a theme—in this cycle, you'll dive into artificial intelligence, learning how AI is shaping industries and solving everyday problems. Classes are held twice a week over Zoom, with additional support through Canvas. The program also emphasizes communication, leadership, and collaboration skills.

3. Veritas AI - AI Trailblazers

Location: Remote

Cost: Varies; Full financial aid is available

Acceptance rate or Cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year

Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required

Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to key concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and collaborative learning. Over 25 hours, you learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. You receive personalized guidance through small-group mentoring, with a five-to-one student-to-mentor ratio. As the program progresses, you explore more advanced topics such as neural networks and AI ethics. A central part of the experience is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to solve a real-world challenge and present your findings at the end. 

4. The National Economics Challenge

Location: Starts locally and progresses to national finals in Atlanta, GA

Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; travel to finals is not covered

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Nearly 10,000 students participate annually

Dates: State competitions held throughout the school year; Semi-Finals in late April; Finals in late May

Application Deadline: Varies by state (registration opens January 1)

Eligibility: Open to high school students; no more than one economics course for David Ricardo Division; advanced coursework for Adam Smith Division

The National Economics Challenge (NEC), run by the Council for Economic Education, is a team-based competition that tests your knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics. You'll compete first at the state level, and if your team wins, you'll advance to online semi-finals and potentially the in-person national finals in Atlanta. The competition is divided into two tracks based on experience: David Ricardo for beginners and Adam Smith for advanced students. Along the way, you'll sharpen your analytical and teamwork skills while tackling real-world economic issues. Finalists compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to face international teams in a bonus round.

5. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth – Game Theory and Economics

Location: Online

Cost/Stipend: Tuition varies by term; financial aid available for qualified students

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Typical class size: 16–18 students

Dates: Offered during various terms; future dates to be announced

Application Deadline: Rolling; specific deadlines depend on session start dates

Eligibility: Grades 7–11; students must meet CTY’s quantitative eligibility requirements

This online course introduces you to game theory, the mathematical study of strategic decision-making, and shows how it's applied in economics and business. You’ll start with simple games to learn concepts like Nash equilibria, then use those ideas to analyze real-world situations such as auctions, monopolies, and profit-sharing. Through activities, discussions, and mathematical analysis, you'll explore how businesses make decisions in competitive environments. To enroll, you’ll need to qualify at the CTY-level in quantitative reasoning, though there are no formal prerequisites. Courses are offered in different formats throughout the year and fill quickly when available.

6. Georgetown University Economics Policy Academy

Location: Washington, D.C.

Cost/Stipend: $9,085 (residential); $7,085 (commuter)

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: June 28 – July 17

Application Deadline: April 15 (Early Bird: January 31)

Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8–12; minimum age 15 by program start

This three-week summer academy focuses on the intersection of economics and political science, offering you the chance to explore how governments shape markets and economic outcomes. Through lectures, hands-on activities, off-site visits, and group discussions, you'll examine issues like globalization, poverty, fiscal policy, and development economics. You'll also work on a capstone project and produce a research-based poster connected to the program’s themes. The curriculum includes real-world policy analysis and exposure to institutions engaged in economic policy. A certificate of participation is awarded upon successful completion.

7. CCNY STEM Institute

Location: City College of New York, Manhattan (in-person only)

Cost/Stipend: Free; some students may receive stipends through SYEP

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: Summer program runs for 5 weeks

Application Deadline: Varies by session; typically early spring for summer enrollment

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12 who reside or attend school in NYC

As part of its free summer program, the CCNY STEM Institute offers middle and high school students the chance to explore economics through courses like Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship. These classes introduce you to key financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, and managing money, alongside foundational ideas in business planning and economic decision-making. Each student also completes a research project tied to their coursework, which culminates in a formal presentation at a research symposium. While the program includes broader STEM content, these economics-related options provide practical skills in money management and economic thinking. No previous experience in economics or a minimum GPA is required to apply.

8. NYU College and Career Lab

Location: New York University, Manhattan (commuter only)

Cost/Stipend: Free; meals and MTA transportation included

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: July 6 – July 31

Application Deadline: March 31

Eligibility: Students in grades 7 or 8 attending a NYC public school

The NYU College and Career Lab introduces middle schoolers to college-level subjects and career paths through an immersive four-week summer program. If you're interested in economics or business, you can explore topics like marketing, accounting, and entrepreneurship through the "Introduction to Business" course taught by NYU Stern faculty. You'll also meet professionals from companies like Facebook and EY, giving you a first look at real-world career paths in business. The program combines academic classes, career exploration, and field trips, all designed to help you build college-ready skills. Once admitted, you're invited to remain in the program through high school, continuing with Saturday workshops and summer intensives each year.

9. Murray State University Fun with Economics Youth Camp

Location: Murray State University, Kentucky

Cost/Stipend: $35

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: TBA (typically held during the summer; dates to be announced)

Application Deadline: Not yet announced

Eligibility: Open to students in grades 5–12

This one-day camp introduces middle and high school students to the fundamentals of economics through interactive sessions led by Murray State faculty. You'll explore real-world economic scenarios, learn how markets operate, and build critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Activities are designed to make economic concepts accessible and engaging, no prior experience needed. The camp includes lunch, hands-on learning, and opportunities to connect with students and instructors. Held on campus in the Business Building, it offers an affordable way to explore economics in a college setting.

10. UC San Diego Middle School: Entrepreneurship for Young Innovators

Location: UC San Diego (specific format and location TBD)

Cost/Stipend: TBD

Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: Upcoming session dates not yet announced

Application Deadline: TBD

Eligibility: Middle school students

This course introduces middle school students to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship through hands-on business development. You'll learn how to shape a business idea, create a business plan, conduct customer research, and understand budgeting and marketing. The program emphasizes collaboration and real-world application by having you run a mini-business by the end of the course. It’s designed to spark creativity and teach practical economic skills through experiential learning. Course completion includes a showcase project to demonstrate what you’ve built.

One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are interested in doing university-level research in STEM or other subjects, which can become a topic to talk about in your college application, then you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Lydia is an alumna from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation. 

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