History programs for high schoolers.
27 programs indexed in history. 19 are free or pay a stipend. 6 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🎓 10, 11, 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⏱ N/A📅 March 1🎓 9, 10, 11, 12 - SelectiveThe Concord ReviewConcord Review (Humanities Publishing)
The only quarterly journal publishing high school history research worldwide.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12 - SelectiveCoolidge Scholars FoundationCoolidge Senators Program
Fully-funded public policy program at the Coolidge Foundation in Vermont.
📍 VT (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 January🎓 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🎓 9, 10, 11, 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🎓 9, 10, 11, 12 - SelectiveJohn Locke InstituteJohn Locke Institute Essay Competition
Global essay competition across philosophy, economics, history, politics, theology, law.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 June🎓 9, 10, 11, 12 - ModerateInternational Academic CompetitionsNational History Bee and Bowl
National history quiz competitions for grades 4-12.
📍 United States⏱ Year-long📅 Rolling🎓 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 - SelectiveNational History DayNational History Day
Year-long historical research project competition culminating at the national contest.
📍 College Park, MD⏱ Academic year📅 Spring🎓 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 - Highly SelectivePaideia InstitutePaideia Institute Living Greek in Greece
Immersive Ancient Greek summer program in Greece with site visits.
📍 Greece⏱ 2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 9, 10, 11, 12 - SelectiveUniversity of PennsylvaniaPenn Manuscript Journal
Undergraduate humanities journal welcoming exceptional HS work.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 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🎓 10, 11, 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🎓 9, 10, 11, 12 - SelectiveSmithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian Youth Engagement
Internships across Smithsonian museums and research centers.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 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🎓 11, 12 - ModerateStanford UniversityStanford Summer Humanities Institute
Three-week intensive humanities seminars for rising 11th/12th graders.
📍 Stanford, CA⏱ 3 weeks📅 Spring🎓 11, 12 - Highly SelectiveTelluride AssociationTelluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS/TASP)
Free intensive humanities seminars. Tuition, room, board, and travel fully covered.
📍 Multiple campuses (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 Mid-January🎓 10, 11 - ModerateThe Concord ReviewThe Concord Review
Quarterly journal publishing exemplary history essays by secondary students worldwide.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Quarterly🎓 9, 10, 11, 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🎓 9, 10, 11, 12 - ModerateConcord ReviewThe Concord Review
Premier quarterly journal publishing exemplary high school history research papers.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 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🎓 11 - 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🎓 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🎓 9, 10, 11, 12 - SelectiveCenter for Civic EducationWe the People Constitution Competition
National constitutional knowledge competition for classroom teams.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ Academic year📅 Fall🎓 9, 10, 11, 12 - SelectiveCenter for Civic EducationWe the People Constitutional Competition
Free constitutional law simulation. Top teams compete nationally in DC.
📍 Multiple (nationwide eligibility)⏱ Year-long competition📅 Varies (school-based)🎓 11, 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🎓 9, 10, 11, 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🎓 9, 10, 11, 12