If you’re a high school student interested in history or related fields, participating in a research program can help you develop practical skills and deepen your understanding of the subject. These programs let you focus on specific eras and regions while exploring the theoretical aspects of history and potential career paths.
Whether your interest lies in archival research, oral history, or data analysis, a summer research program can be a rewarding experience. These programs can help you gain hands-on experience, learn about the research process, and work with advanced tools. Participating in a research program can also improve your critical thinking and strengthen your college applications by demonstrating your intellectual curiosity.
Here are 12 great history research programs for high school students in 2025 that you can consider!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)—History Track
Subject Areas: History, political theory, neuroscience, behavioral economics, sociology, psychology, philosophy, international relations, data science, network science, biophysics, and others
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort; February 16, 2025, for the spring cohort and May 18, 2025, for the summer cohort
Dates:
- Spring seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards
- Summer seminar: June 16, 2025 onwards
Horizon Labs provides flexible start dates, with applications required at least 4 weeks in advance
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.67 on a 4.0 scale are eligible to apply. The majority of accepted students are in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks have specific prerequisites, which you can check here
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects such as history, data science, political theory, chemistry, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, psychology, and more. The program allows you to choose between quantitative and qualitative research. For those interested in history, options include courses like Ancient Greco-Roman History or Critical History.
After selecting a subject and research type, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar from a top university who will mentor you throughout the process. You will work on a 20-page, university-level research paper, which can be submitted to academic journals for publication. The program provides an opportunity to conduct specialized research with expert guidance. You will also receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your work, which can be useful for future projects and college applications. You can apply here!
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—History Track
Subject Areas: History, biology, engineering, environmental science, computer science, medicine, business, psychology, international relations, chemistry, physics, economics, data science, gender studies, and more
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary by cohort. The deadline for the upcoming winter cohort is December 29, 2024
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 allows high school students to pursue independent research in various fields with guidance from a dedicated PhD mentor. Throughout the 12-week program, you will work with a mentor and a writing coach to choose and develop your research topic. The program includes workshops on research methods and concludes with the completion of an independent research paper.
Available fields include history, psychology, physics, engineering, economics, data science, computer science, chemistry, international relations, and more. For students interested in history-based research, topics like “Gender & Education in Global & Comparative Perspectives” and "Environmental History of Earth" are available. Additionally, you can customize your research topic if existing options don’t align with your interests. Further details about the application process are available here.
Subject Areas: Humanities, history, philosophy, art, and research
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Tuition is $8,575 and includes housing, meals, activities, and field trip expenses; need-based financial aid is available
Application Deadline: February 3, 2025
Dates:
- Session One: June 22 – July 11, 2025
- Session Two: July 13 – August 1, 2025
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 students interested in history and exploring humanities topics beyond the high school curriculum. The program focuses on independent research projects, encouraging critical thinking and academic independence. You will develop your research project with Stanford professors and mentors. This program will help you build research skills while exploring complex social issues, preparing you for future studies in history and related fields.
You will study various topics within the humanities, including politics, literature, and history. Courses will allow you to explore contemporary society and global history with peers with similar interests. You will be assigned to one of the courses you ranked in your application. Course topics include the American Enlightenment, ancient Greek philosophy, and the repatriation of museum artifacts. The program also includes field trips and weekend activities. You can view the available courses for 2025 here.
Subject Areas: History, social justice, politics, culture, research, civil rights, human rights, and more
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost:
- Tuition for the 2025 Summer Academies is $9,949, which covers program fees and residential costs
- There is also a non-refundable application fee of $100
- Students enrolled in a public or charter high school within the School District of Philadelphia may be eligible to attend the Penn Summer Academy at no cost through a Penn Summer Scholarship
Application Deadline: April 27, 2025
Dates: July 5 – 26, 2025
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 the lens of sociology, history, and politics. The program encourages critical thinking about inequality and resistance. It uses a liberal arts-style curriculum with lectures and workshops to develop leadership, research, and analytical skills. You will participate in daily classes and discussions led by Penn faculty and Teaching Fellows, along with expert guest lectures. The program includes Penn's Van Pelt Library tours and visits to historical and cultural landmarks in Philadelphia, such as the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, National Constitution Center, and nonprofit organizations like the Mural Arts Program.
You will complete a capstone project focused on a topic covered in the program. Projects can be traditional academic papers or more creative formats. Past topics have included AAPI representation in Hollywood, redlining, and the impact of COVID-19 on minority communities. The topics covered vary yearly but often include significant historical struggles (such as civil rights and labor movements) and current issues (like climate change, LGBTQ rights, immigration, and social justice movements).
Subject Areas: Art history, research practices, and writing skills
Location: Fordham University Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, NY
Cost:
- Commuter program tuition: $2,715, which includes the course, course materials, lunches, and excursions both in and outside of class
- Residential program tuition: $3,665, which covers the course, course materials, housing, meals, and excursions both in and outside of class
Application Deadline:
- Commuter program: May 14, 2025
- Residential program: April 14, 2025
Dates: July 21 – 31, 2025
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. The program covers art from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa, exploring why people create and value paintings, sculptures, and architecture. Classes are held at The Met and other museums, where you will study significant artworks. You will develop visual literacy, observation, writing, and research skills. Writing workshops and activities are also included.
By the end of the course, you will gain essential skills for studying art history, such as analyzing and interpreting artworks and writing clearly about art. You’ll understand the research methods used by art historians. You will also be prepared for college-level art history studies. The program is limited to 20 students.
Subject Areas: Historical research, design, and writing
Location: Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost:
- Boarding Students: $4,950–$5,250
- Commuter Students: $3,950–$4,100
Application Deadline:
- Early application deadline: December 31, 2024
- Final application deadline: February 28, 2025
Dates: July 21 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: High school students
The Hoover Institution’s History Lab is launching the History Skills Academy, a summer program for high school students to learn new methods, sources, and skills for conducting historical research. In the summer of 2025, Hoover will host its first two-week program, where up to 24 students will have the chance to learn best practices in research, evidence use, and writing. You will have access to Stanford’s Cecil B. Green Library and the Hoover Institution’s Library & Archives.
This program is a partnership with The Concord Review (TCR), which publishes exceptional historical research papers by high school students. TCR will provide experienced teachers and a curriculum to support the program. You will explore primary sources and begin developing a 4,000–8,000-word research paper to be completed after the program. You will also have the option to submit your paper for possible publication in TCR. You can choose any history topic for your research.
Subject Areas: History, astronomy, anthropology, art, biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, engineering, environmental policy, feminist studies, film studies, geography, mathematics, music, psychology, sociology, and more
Cost: $5,175 (commuter option) | $12,474 (residential option). A limited number of scholarships are awarded based on need, qualifications, and availability; California residents are given priority
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Application Deadline: March 17, 2025
Dates: June 16 – August 1, 2025
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 competitive summer program where high school students engage in university-level research. You will be paired with a mentor (graduate student, postdoc, or faculty) and select a research project from various disciplines, including history. With guidance from your mentor, you will learn research techniques, explore professional research opportunities, and refine your academic goals. The program includes GRIT talks, a lecture series featuring UC Santa Barbara researchers discussing innovative projects and technology.
The program will begin with a virtual orientation to introduce resources and mentors. This will be followed by a six-week in-person experience at UC Santa Barbara, where you’ll dedicate 35–50 hours per week to research, depending on your project. Activities include utilizing library resources, conducting fieldwork, and collecting data. By the end, you will produce a technical research paper and present your findings at an academic symposium. You will also earn 8 college credits through two interdisciplinary courses: Lecture Course - Introduction to Research and Exploratory Course - Presentation Techniques.
Subject Areas: Art, history, culture, research, public programming, and career development
Location: High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free. Students receive a monthly stipend (the amount is not specified)
Application Deadline: March 3, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024-2025 program)
Dates: One-year program with an eight-week summer intensive and regular meetings
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The High Museum of Art’s Teen Team Program selects 15 high school students to learn about art, history, and culture. As a participant, you will explore career paths and develop professional and civic skills. You’ll gain behind-the-scenes access to the museum and assist with events, Teen Nights, and public programming while becoming familiar with the museum’s collections.
The program runs year-round, with an 8-week summer intensive where you will complete an art history project and receive mentorship from museum professionals. During the school year, you will continue helping with programming for teens, youth, and families and meet with museum staff and other arts professionals.
Subject Areas: History, culture, research, and analytical skills
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 per session
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
The Student Research Center for History (SeaRCH) allows students to explore primary source-based historical research at the Maryland Center for History and Culture. You will gain access to MCHC’s extensive collections, which include original manuscripts, images, and artifacts. Working alongside professional researchers, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of history while honing essential research and analytical skills. The program includes the following options:
- Introduction to Research: In this program, you'll learn how to handle and analyze original primary source manuscripts and images from the MCHC archives. You will explore topics such as the American Revolution to the War of 1812, Slavery and the Underground Railroad, Civil War Perspectives, or The Civil Rights Movement.
- Custom SeaRCH Programs: This program lets you conduct in-depth research using original primary sources on various Maryland and U.S. history topics. Advance notice of 4–6 weeks is required.
- National History Day Research: In this program, you will learn primary source research and analysis techniques using materials from the collection related to the current year’s History Day theme.
Subject Areas: Historical research, art, museum studies, virtual reality technology, and digital interpretation
Location: Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Cost: The cost is $4,500, which includes accommodations, meals, evening programming, and transportation and admission for site visits
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025 program will open in January
Dates: TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Suffolk University’s Summer Public History Institute is a two-week residential program focused on the history of Boston’s colonial and Revolutionary periods. During the program, you will engage in historical site visits, small group discussions, and behind-the-scenes museum tours led by Suffolk's history and art & design faculty. The program emphasizes developing skills in historical research, museum studies, and digital interpretation.
The program concludes with you creating a personalized digital exhibit using Meta Quest virtual reality technology, which you will get to keep. You will visit prominent Boston landmarks, such as the Paul Revere House, USS Constitution Museum and Ship, and Black Heritage Trail. You will also connect with Suffolk University alumni working in Boston's cultural institutions.
Subject Areas: Digital humanities, history, communication, museum studies, research, and writing
Location: New York Historical Society, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to participate, and interns will receive a $700 stipend upon completing the program
Application Deadline: Applications for summer internships open in the first week of February, while applications for academic year internships open in early June
Dates: The Student Historian internship is offered twice a year, with one session during the academic year and another during the summer.
- Academic Year Internship: October 23, 2024 – June 11, 2025
- Summer Internship: 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 you the chance to use the New York Historical Society’s resources to conduct research and create digital projects that serve as public educational tools. You will meet with staff to learn about the museum, library, digital humanities, and history fields. You will also collaborate with peers to improve your historical research, communication, and digital skills. The program includes significant research and writing centered on the theme “Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America.” The internship runs twice a year: once during the academic year and once in the summer. Each session includes 25 interns.
Subject Areas: History, storytelling, research, analysis, interpretation, writing, and editing
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 2025 session will be available in the spring of 2025
Dates: July 22 – August 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
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 improve your historical research skills and explore creative ways to interpret and share history. The program runs Monday through Friday at MOHAI, with some off-site field trips. During the program, you will work on a project about a topic of your choice. Each session focuses on a unique theme. For example, in 2024, themes were inspired by the "Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks" exhibit, exploring Seattle’s architectural history.
The program examined the influence of historical innovations on local architecture, how buildings shape geography and culture, and how structures can preserve or obscure history. Your work will include research in the MOHAI collection and field exploration in the surrounding neighborhood. Additionally, you will learn how to share history online, explore digital public history projects, and use easy-to-access digital tools for creating and telling stories. By the end of the program, your historical project will be published on the Rainy Day History website. The program is limited to six participants.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.