History programs for high schoolers.
28 programs indexed in history. 18 are free or pay a stipend. 7 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new history program.
All history programs
- ModerateBard College at Simon's RockBard College at Simon's Rock Young Writers Workshop
A 3-week residential program where students engage in creative and analytical thinking through literature and history.
📍 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY⏱ 3 weeks📅 April 1🎓 Grades 10–12 - Highly SelectiveChapman UniversityChapman University Holocaust Art & Writing Contest
A writing contest for high schoolers exploring the impact of the Holocaust through various creative prompts.
📍 Online📅 March 1🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveThe Concord ReviewConcord Review (Humanities Publishing)
The only quarterly journal publishing high school history research worldwide.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCoolidge Scholars FoundationCoolidge Senators Program
Fully-funded public policy program at the Coolidge Foundation in Vermont.
📍 VT (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 10–11 - SelectiveVariousFreedom Summer Collegiate
Free college-prep program in the Mississippi Delta taught by graduate students. Travel and housing covered.
📍 Mississippi⏱ 4 weeks📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUniversity of CambridgeHE+ Cambridge
Free supracurricular resources, subject taster videos, and reading lists from Cambridge academics — designed to stretch Year 12/13 students preparing for competitive applications.
📍 Remote (UK/Global)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling · anytime🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateIHOInternational History Olympiad
Individual and team international history competition.
📍 Rotates by host country📅 National rounds Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveJohn Locke InstituteJohn Locke Institute Essay
Annual global essay competition in philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law. Free entry; cash and Oxford summer school prizes.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 June 30🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateInternational Academic CompetitionsNational History Bee and Bowl
National history quiz competitions for grades 4-12.
📍 United States⏱ Year-long📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 4–12 - SelectiveNational History DayNational History Day
Year-long historical research project competition culminating at the national contest.
📍 College Park, MD⏱ Academic year📅 Spring🎓 Grades 6–12 - Highly SelectivePaideia InstitutePaideia Institute Living Greek in Greece
Immersive Ancient Greek summer program in Greece with site visits.
📍 Greece⏱ 2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUniversity of PennsylvaniaPenn Manuscript Journal
Undergraduate humanities journal welcoming exceptional HS work.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectivePioneer AcademicsPioneer Academics (Aid)
Accredited college-level research with US professors. Need-based aid up to full tuition.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ 15 weeks📅 Multiple cycles🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectivePolygencePolygence Scholars (Financial Aid)
1:1 research mentorship with PhDs across any field. Full financial aid for qualifying students.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ 10-20 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveSmithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian Youth Engagement
Internships across Smithsonian museums and research centers.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveSorbonne UniversitéSorbonne Université Summer School
Short summer courses in French language, humanities, and science in Paris.
📍 Paris, France⏱ 2-3 weeks📅 June🎓 Grades 11–12 - Highly SelectiveSt. John's CollegeSt. John's College Summer Academy
Rigid university-level philosophy and great books program for high school students.
📍 Annapolis, MD / Santa Fe, NM⏱ 2 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateStanford UniversityStanford Summer Humanities Institute
Three-week intensive humanities seminars for rising 11th/12th graders.
📍 Stanford, CA⏱ 3 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12 - Highly SelectiveTel Aviv UniversityTel Aviv University International School
Undergraduate summer courses in the Middle East, humanities, and STEM.
📍 Tel Aviv, Israel⏱ 4 weeks📅 May🎓 Grade 12 - ModerateConcord ReviewThe Concord Review
The only quarterly journal publishing high school history research essays. Students submit 5K-9K word papers; selected essays are printed and indexed.
📍 Online submission⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveThe Coolidge FoundationThe Coolidge Scholarship
Full merit scholarship for students demonstrating academic excellence and interest in public policy, including a summer program in Vermont.
📍 Plymouth, VT⏱ 4 years📅 January 23🎓 Grade 11 - Highly SelectiveTrinity College DublinTrinity College Dublin Summer
Undergraduate summer courses across humanities and STEM at Ireland's top research university.
📍 Dublin, Ireland⏱ 3 weeks📅 June🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveHearst Foundations / U.S. SenateUnited States Senate Youth Program (USSYP)
A prestigious week-long program in DC for leaders interested in government, history, and public service.
📍 Washington, D.C.⏱ 1 week📅 Mid-January🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveCenter for Civic EducationWe the People
Free national civics competition. Class teams compete in simulated congressional hearings on the Constitution.
📍 State + national⏱ School year📅 Dec-Apr🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCenter for Civic EducationWe the People Constitution Competition
National constitutional knowledge competition for classroom teams.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ Academic year📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCenter for Civic EducationWe the People Constitutional Competition
National civics competition on the Constitution and Bill of Rights for high schoolers.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 3 days📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectivePeking UniversityYenching Academy Scholars Program
Master's fellowship at Peking University in China Studies for outstanding international graduates.
📍 Beijing, China⏱ 1-2 years📅 December🎓 Grade 12 - Highly SelectiveZooniverseZooniverse Citizen Science
Free crowdsourced research platform. Contribute to active university research projects in any field from your laptop.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Anytime🎓 Grades 9–12