15 Economics Research Opportunities for High School Students
If you’re a high school student curious about how markets, policies, and global forces shape our daily lives, exploring research opportunities in economics is a smart move. Research programs often focus on developing your analytical and problem-solving skills while helping you learn about complex topics that matter. These experiences also provide valuable mentorship and exposure to how economists tackle questions.
Some options today are online, giving you the chance to work with researchers from anywhere in the world while balancing summer or school-year commitments. Students interested in economics often want to go beyond textbooks by designing projects, conducting data analysis, or working on case studies that simulate economic challenges. We have compiled this list of 15 research opportunities for high school students focused specifically on economics, ranging from global summer intensives to local university-led initiatives.
15 Economics Research Opportunities for High School Students
1. UC Santa Barbara - Research Mentorship Program: Economics Track
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA.
Cost: Residential: ~$9,000 | Commuter: ~$7,000. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~80 students.
Dates: June 22 – August 2.
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 17.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least 10th grade and are 16 years and older by the program start date are eligible to apply.
The Research Mentorship Program provides a six-week immersive research experience, where high school students work closely with faculty, graduate students, or postdoctoral researchers across a wide range of disciplines at UC Santa Barbara. You’ll begin with a virtual orientation, followed by full-time, in-person research on a selected project in economics. You will commit 35–50 hours per week to data collection, fieldwork, and library research, culminating in a technical paper and formal symposium presentation. You will earn eight college credits by enrolling in interdisciplinary research courses focused on methodology and presentation.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Economics Track
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Year-round cohorts; Summer (June–August), Fall (September–December), Winter (December–February), Spring (March–June).
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic records are eligible to apply. Applicants must have a 3.3+ GPA.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program for high school students pairs you with Ph.D. mentors from universities like Harvard and Oxford to produce a publication-level research paper. You can focus your project on economics with topics like game theory, market design, or the intersection of AI and economic forecasting while gaining hands-on experience in data analysis, academic writing, and scholarly methods. Throughout the program, you’ll attend skill-building workshops and receive detailed feedback from your mentor and professional writing coaches. The structure is highly individualized, letting you pursue either theoretical frameworks or quantitative modeling.
3. University of Chicago – Economics From An Experimental Perspective
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Cost: Residential: $8,600 | Commuter: $5,850. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: July 10 – 26.
Application Deadline: March 5.
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are at least 14 years old are eligible to apply.
The University of Chicago’s Summer Immersion program provides a rigorous introduction to college-level study, with this economics track offering one of the more hands-on research opportunities for high school students interested in experimental methods. In the Economics From An Experimental Perspective course, you’ll design and participate in market simulations, strategic games, and exchange experiments that reveal how economic theories play out in practice. Under the guidance of UChicago faculty, you’ll analyze data generated from these experiments to test core principles like incentives, competition, and cooperation. This blend of lectures and collaborative research sharpens your skills in economic reasoning, quantitative analysis, and teamwork.
4. Veritas AI - AI + Finance Deep Dive
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies according to program. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Multiple year-round cohorts.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Eligibility: High school students worldwide who have completed the Veritas AI Scholars program or have prior Python experience are eligible to apply.
Designed by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI’s AI + Finance Deep Dive immerses ambitious high school students in how machine learning is transforming financial decision-making. Through lectures, live coding sessions, and collaborative projects, you’ll learn to build models that predict stock trends, analyze large financial datasets, and evaluate algorithmic trading strategies. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills in Python, data cleaning, and constructing machine learning pipelines tailored to finance. By the end, you’ll complete a research project applying AI techniques to real-world financial problems.
5. Bank of America - Student Leaders Program
Location: Local non-profit organization and Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~300 students.
Dates: The internship runs for 8 weeks between June and July. The Student Leaders Summit is held from July 21 – 26.
Application Deadline: January 15.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are in good academic standing are eligible to apply.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program gives high school students the chance to explore how nonprofits, businesses, and governments work together to drive economic and social impact. Over eight weeks, you’ll intern with a local nonprofit, gaining firsthand exposure to budgeting, program management, and how financial partnerships sustain community initiatives. The experience culminates in a fully funded leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll join peers from across the country for workshops and networking. This program blends economic research and literacy, policy insight, and leadership training.
6. Young Entrepreneurs Program
Location: Hybrid in Kansas City, MO.
Stipend: $2,500 scholarship upon completion of the program and compensation of $12-14/hour.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: Session 1: June 2 – June 27 | Session 2: July 7 – August 1.
Application Deadline: February 1.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the Kansas City area are eligible to apply.
The Young Entrepreneurs Program offers high school students a paid summer opportunity to explore entrepreneurship, economics, finance, and business analytics. Partnering with local Midwest companies, the program lets you tackle real business challenges under the guidance of experienced mentors. You’ll work on projects ranging from market research to engineering-focused business solutions, gaining skills in financial modeling, marketing strategy, and sales analytics.
7. Harvard University - Economics, Finance, and Public Policy Programs
Location: Virtual or in-person at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
Cost: Residential: $5,550 | Virtual: $3,600. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: June 22 – August 8.
Application Deadline: Early Application Deadline: January 10 | Regular Application Deadline: February 14.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
The Secondary School Program at Harvard University enables students to design a personalized summer experience in economics and finance by selecting two college-level courses over seven weeks. You’ll explore subjects such as macroeconomics, financial accounting, public policy, and econometrics while earning college credit and engaging in rigorous academic inquiry. You will attend class two to five days a week, depending on credit load, and access mentorship, advising, and enrichment programming. Courses are available on campus or in a flexible online format, and all students conclude the program with a transcript from Harvard Summer School.
8. U.S. Department of the Treasury - Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free!
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Spring: January – May | Summer: May – August | Fall: September – December.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
This internship gives high school students an inside look at how economic policy and financial regulations shape the nation. As an intern, you will research and analyze economic data, draft reports, prepare briefing materials, or attend meetings and hearings alongside agency professionals. Depending on your assignment, you could work in departments like Economic Policy, Tax Policy, Domestic Finance, or International Affairs, building a nuanced understanding of domestic and global financial systems. The program also sharpens communication and analytical skills crucial for careers in government, law, or business.
9. KP Launch - High School Program
Location: Kaiser Permanente Medical Center or business office near your home address.
Stipend: $23 per hour.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: June 16 – August 1.
Application Deadline: Applications open on November 18.
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 16–19 years and living in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area are eligible to apply.
The KP Launch High School Program offers students direct exposure to healthcare operations and business administration, providing practical experience that aligns with interests in economics, management, and organizational research. Over seven weeks, you’ll rotate through departments such as accounting, communications, and patient care services, participating in meaningful work while earning a competitive wage. Weekly workshops, mentorship sessions, and community service projects deepen your understanding of how large organizations function and make financial decisions.
10. UCLA - Economics Precollege Summer Institute
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: $3,015. Need-based financial aid is available for California students.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: July 14 – August 1.
Application Deadline: June 13.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 as of Spring are eligible to apply. Applicants must be at least 15 years old by the first day of Summer Sessions.
The UCLA Economics Summer Institute is a three-week program designed to help high school students explore economic theory, policy, and financial analysis. You’ll learn how to think like an economist by analyzing data, evaluating global policy issues, and applying economic models to real-world problems. The curriculum emphasizes quantitative reasoning and the foundations of financial and institutional economics. You’ll work with UCLA faculty and current undergraduates, developing core research and data interpretation skills. The program concludes with a final project or analysis demonstrating your understanding of key economic concepts.
11. George Washington University - Caminos al Futuro
Location: George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free!
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: July 3–19.
Application Deadline: February 28.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with strong academics and demonstrated leadership within the Latino/Hispanic community are eligible to apply.
Caminos al Futuro, hosted by GW’s Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute, is a fully funded, intensive summer program that engages Latino/Hispanic student leaders in analyzing real-world social, political, and economic challenges. You’ll stay on campus and participate in university-level seminars, writing and research labs, and discussions that explore the complexities of economic disparities and community development. The program also includes site visits to Congress, federal agencies, and local nonprofits, offering first hand exposure to how policy decisions impact diverse communities. A capstone community action project allows you to apply your insights to tangible solutions, while college readiness sessions help you plan your next academic steps.
12. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston – Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) Internship Program
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA.
Stipend: Paid.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: The internship typically runs in the summer.
Application Deadline: Students need to apply through the Boston Private Industry Council.
Eligibility: High school students from Boston Public Schools who have completed their sophomore year are eligible to apply.
The TIP Internship Program at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston offers an opportunity for high school students to step into the world of economics, finance, and banking. This paid summer program places you in different departments within the Boston Fed, where you might explore financial markets, assist with economic research, or contribute to corporate communications and operational projects. Alongside hands-on work, you’ll receive job coaching and professional development designed to build career readiness. Top-performing students may even be offered a year-round internship extension.
13. JP Morgan & Chase - Economics Internship
Location: Various JP Morgan locations across the country.
Stipend: Paid.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Varies depending on the internship program.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship program.
Eligibility: High school students, primarily in New York City and select markets, are eligible to apply.
The high school internship program at JP Morgan & Chase is for high school students looking to explore careers in finance, economics, and banking. This program lets you work part-time during the academic year and full-time each summer, gaining hands-on experience by rotating through different divisions of the firm, from wealth management to risk analysis. You’ll take on real projects, attend professional meetings, and learn directly from top financial experts. A unique component of this internship is the linkage to a full four-year college scholarship for selected students, providing a pathway that extends well beyond high school.
14. KPMG - Future Leaders Program
Location: Various KPMG locations across the country.
Stipend: Annual scholarship of $10,000 for four years to a 4-year undergraduate college or university program.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 22 students.
Dates: The program typically runs during the summer before college.
Application Deadline: February 1.
Eligibility: High school seniors are eligible to apply.
The KPMG Future Leaders Program combines mentorship, leadership training, and direct exposure to business and finance. Each year, 22 young women are selected to join this prestigious program, which pairs them with a senior business leader, often an alumna of the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit, for one-on-one mentorship. You’ll gain insights into business strategy, accounting, and leadership through personalized guidance and structured development activities. Beyond the hands-on learning and professional networking, you will receive a $10,000 annual college scholarship to support your academic journey.
15. University of Pennsylvania - Management & Technology Summer Institute
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Cost: $9,000. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~75 students.
Dates: July 6 – 26.
Application Deadline: Priority Deadline: January 29 | Final Deadline: April 2.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors are eligible to apply.
The Management & Technology Summer Institute is a for-credit summer program for high school students interested in the intersection of business and engineering. Run by the Jerome Fisher Program in partnership with Wharton and Penn Engineering, the program features coursework from Penn faculty, hands-on labs, and entrepreneurship training. You’ll work in teams to develop and prototype a tech-based product and pitch a go-to-market strategy to Penn faculty and real-world entrepreneurs. You will also participate in industry simulations and receive one college credit from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
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