§ Humanities

Humanities programs for high schoolers.

95 programs indexed in humanities. 57 are free or pay a stipend. 29 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new humanities program.

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All humanities programs

Brown University
Brown Pre-College
On-campus and online courses across the liberal arts.
📍 Providence, RI⏱ 1-7 weeks📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Brown University
Brown Pre-College Summer@Brown
One- to four-week summer courses for HS students across all fields.
📍 Providence, RI⏱ 1-4 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Forestry Challenge
California Forestry Challenge
California's premier natural resource competition for high school students, similar to Envirothon.
📍 CA⏱ 1 week📅 April 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Immerse Education
Cambridge Immerse Education
Two-week pre-college summer programs at Cambridge, Oxford, and beyond.
📍 Cambridge, UK⏱ 2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Texas Tech University
Clark Scholars Program
Intensive research with TTU faculty across STEM and humanities. $750 stipend, room and board covered.
📍 TX (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Columbia University
Columbia Summer Immersion
Three-week pre-college sessions in NYC across 80+ subjects.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 3 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
The Concord Review
Concord Review (Humanities Publishing)
The only quarterly journal publishing high school history research worldwide.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
U.S. House of Representatives Members
Congressional District Office Internship
High school students can intern in their local district offices to learn about constituent services and local policy.
📍 Local Districts⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Cornell University
Cornell School of Continuing Education Pre-College
Three or six-week pre-college programs in hundreds of subjects on campus or online.
📍 Ithaca, NY⏱ 3-6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth Bound (Free)
Free fly-in program for high-achieving, low-income juniors.
📍 NH⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 March🎓 Grade 11
Selective
DECA Inc.
DECA Competitive Events (ICDC)
One of the world's largest business competitions for students to demonstrate their professionalism in multiple event categories.
📍 Nationwide⏱ Year-long📅 January 10🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Duke University
Duke Summer Academy
Pre-college academic programs at Duke. Need-based scholarships.
📍 NC⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
FBLA National Leadership Conference Competitions
Focuses on business knowledge, academic competition, and leadership development across multiple career clusters.
📍 Nationwide⏱ Year-long📅 January 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Various
Freedom 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
Selective
GenZ Girl Gang
GenZ Girl Gang Virtual Internship Program (Open to all GS)
A network for students to find virtual internships in tech, non-profits, and policy. Focuses on social impact projects led by youth.
📍 Online⏱ 8-12 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Tech Sustainable Systems Camp
Multidisciplinary camp exploring sustainable energy, water resources, and climate resilience.
📍 Atlanta, GA⏱ 1 week📅 May 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
The World Food Prize Foundation
Global Youth Institute
An international organization that empowers students to research and propose solutions to the global food security crisis.
📍 Des Moines, IA/Global⏱ Year-long📅 January 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Harvard University
Harvard Pre-College (Need-Based Aid)
Pre-college courses with substantial need-based scholarships covering up to full tuition.
📍 MA (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 2-7 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Harvard University
Harvard Pre-College Program
Two-week residential program in 50+ disciplines.
📍 Cambridge, MA⏱ 2 weeks📅 January🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Cambridge
HE+ 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
Selective
Federal Reserve Bank of New York (and others)
High School Fed Challenge
High school teams compete to solve real-world economic problems and demonstrate their understanding of central banking.
📍 Regional Fed Banks⏱ Semester📅 February 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Horizon
Horizon Academic Research Program
Trimester-style research cohort with university faculty. Full scholarships available.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ 10 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Immerse Education
Immerse Education Essay Competition
Free international essay contest; winners receive 100% scholarships to Immerse summer residencies at Cambridge, Oxford, and elsewhere.
📍 Global📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Institute for Youth in Policy
Institute for Youth in Policy (Economics Dept)
A youth-led organization providing resources for high schoolers to conduct and publish research in economics.
📍 Online⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
IHO
International History Olympiad
Individual and team international history competition.
📍 Rotates by host country📅 National rounds Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
IPO
International Philosophy Olympiad
International philosophical essay competition; students write in a language other than their native tongue.
📍 Rotates by host country📅 National selection Spring🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Iowa
Iowa Young Writers' Studio
Premier creative writing program from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Need-based aid available.
📍 IA (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars
Free 5-year program for 7th-grade high-achieving low-income students. Includes summer programs, college advising, and scholarships.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 5 years📅 April🎓 Grade 7
Selective
John Locke Institute
John Locke Institute Essay Competition
Free essay competition in philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law. Open worldwide, ages up to 18.
📍 Global📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
John Locke Institute
John Locke Institute Global Essay Competition
International essay competition across philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law.
📍 Global📅 Late June🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
JHSS
Journal of High School Science
STEM and humanities journal for high school students.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
JRHS
Journal of Research High School
Multidisciplinary peer-reviewed HS journal.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Brown University
Leadership Institute
A leadership development program where students explore social justice, identity, and leadership through workshops.
📍 Providence, RI⏱ 2 weeks📅 May 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Learn To Be Foundation
Learn To Be Tutor
A 1-on-1 online tutoring program for low-income K-12 students. High schoolers can apply to tutor and earn volunteer hours.
📍 Online⏱ Flexible📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Lumiere Education
Lumiere Research Scholar (Aid)
Independent research papers with PhD mentors. Need-based financial aid up to 100%.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ 12 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Lumiere Education
Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Independent research program mentored by PhDs; open to high schoolers worldwide.
📍 Global📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
National High School Mock Trial Organization
National High School Mock Trial Championship
A national mock trial case competition where students act as attorneys and witnesses in a simulated courtroom.
📍 Nationwide⏱ Year-long📅 March 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
National History Day
National History Day
Year-long historical research project competition culminating at the national contest.
📍 College Park, MD⏱ Academic year📅 Spring🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
NSDA
National Speech & Debate Tournament
Largest US high school speech and debate tournament with thousands of competitors.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Academic year📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame Leadership Seminars
Free residential seminars for outstanding rising seniors.
📍 Notre Dame, IN⏱ 10 days📅 February🎓 Grade 12
Selective
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame Summer Scholars
Two-week immersion in 25+ academic fields.
📍 Notre Dame, IN⏱ 2 weeks📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Notre Dame
Notre Dame Summer Scholars Program
Two-week pre-college program across 20+ academic disciplines.
📍 Notre Dame, IN⏱ 2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC)
NSLC on Law & Advocacy
Residential programs for students interested in law, ethics, or leadership held at university campuses.
📍 Multiple Locations⏱ 1 week📅 February 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
U.S. State Department
NSLI-Y (Critical Languages)
Fully-funded US government scholarship for high schoolers to study languages like Arabic, Mandarin, Korean abroad.
📍 Abroad (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 6 weeks or academic year📅 Early November🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
The New York Times
NYT Learning Network Contests
Free monthly writing, photo, and podcast contests for teens 13–19 worldwide.
📍 Global📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
Ohio State University
Ohio State Young Scholars Program
Free year-round academic + research support for first-gen Ohio students.
📍 OH⏱ Year-round + summer📅 Rolling (school-based)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Oxbridge Academic
Oxbridge Global Scholars Programme
Summer academic residencies at Oxford, Cambridge, Barcelona, Los Angeles. Financial aid for admitted students.
📍 Various📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Oxbridge Launchpad
Oxbridge Launchpad Essay Competitions
Rolling essay competitions across STEM, humanities, and social sciences for global high school students.
📍 Remote (Global)📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Oxford Royale
Oxford Royale Academy
International summer academic programs held at Oxford and other UK/US universities.
📍 Oxford, United Kingdom📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Oxford Royale
Oxford Royale Summer Schools
Summer academic programs at Oxford and Yale across humanities, sciences, business for ages 13-18.
📍 Oxford, UK⏱ 1-3 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Oxford University
Oxford UNIQ Summer School
Free residential summer school for UK state-school students.
📍 Oxford, UK⏱ 1 week📅 January🎓 Grade 11
Selective
University of Oxford
Oxford UNIQ+ and Open Days
Free Oxford summer schools and open days for academically excellent students.
📍 Oxford, UK⏱ 1 week📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Goethe-Institut
PASCH-Initiative
German government initiative offering scholarships to attend summer language and STEM courses in Germany for students at partner schools worldwide.
📍 Germany⏱ 3–4 weeks📅 January (school-nominated)🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
University of Pennsylvania
Penn Manuscript Journal
Undergraduate humanities journal welcoming exceptional HS work.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Pioneer Academics
Pioneer 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
Highly Selective
Pioneer Academics
Pioneer Academics Research Program
One-on-one online research program with US professors across humanities, social sciences, and STEM; produces publishable paper.
📍 Online⏱ 4-6 months📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
Polygence
Polygence Core Program
One-on-one online research mentorship with PhDs in any field; produces a tangible project.
📍 Online⏱ 3-6 months📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Polygence
Polygence Research Mentorship
1-on-1 online research mentorship with graduate students across any field; open globally.
📍 Global📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Polygence
Polygence 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
Selective
Royal Commonwealth Society
The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition
The world's oldest international schools' writing competition; open to any student in the Commonwealth aged 18 or under.
📍 Global📅 June🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
Schmidt Futures × Rhodes Trust
Rise
A lifetime program for 15- to 17-year-olds worldwide; the top ~500 finalists receive scholarships, mentorship, and career support to work on problems that matter.
📍 Remote application + summer residency⏱ Ongoing📅 Late January🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
RoundPier
RoundPier Networking & Competition Portal
An online platform where students can find curated digital internships, summer courses, and research opportunities specifically for HS.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Running Start
Running Start High School Program (Young Women's Political Leadership)
A leadership program that empowers young women to increase their political efficacy and leadership skills.
📍 Washington, D.C. / Online⏱ 1 week📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI)
Free college-prep and research program for rural Alaska Native and rural Alaska students.
📍 AK⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Sciences Po
Sciences Po Summer University
International summer program in Paris on social sciences, humanities, and public affairs.
📍 Paris, France📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Youth Engagement
Internships across Smithsonian museums and research centers.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Stanford University
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Residential courses in humanities, social sciences, and STEM.
📍 Stanford, CA⏱ 3 weeks📅 February🎓 Grades 8–11
Moderate
Stanford University
Stanford Summer Humanities Institute
Three-week intensive humanities seminars for rising 11th/12th graders.
📍 Stanford, CA⏱ 3 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Stanford University
Stanford Summer Session
Eight-week Stanford summer course program for HS juniors and seniors.
📍 Stanford, CA⏱ 8 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
Buffett Foundation
Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarship
A program providing financial support and mentoring for Nebraska high school students from underprivileged backgrounds pursuing higher education.
📍 Lincoln, NE⏱ Multi-year📅 January 31🎓 Grade 12
Selective
Sutton Trust
Sutton Trust US Programme
Fully-funded programme helping state-school students in the UK apply to US universities — includes a residential week in the US, SAT prep, and application support.
📍 UK + week in USA⏱ 1 year📅 January (Year 12)🎓 Grade 11
Highly Selective
TED-Ed
TED-Ed Student Talks
Free, self-run program that helps students discover, develop, and share their own ideas in TED-style talks; open to schools and clubs anywhere in the world.
📍 Remote (Global)⏱ Self-paced club📅 Rolling · anytime🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Telluride Association
Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Fully-funded six-week humanities seminar focused on critical Black studies, anti-oppressive thought, and social justice.
📍 Multiple universities⏱ 6 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 10–11
Highly Selective
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech Clark Scholars Program
Highly selective seven-week paid research program for 12 high schoolers across all fields.
📍 Lubbock, TX⏱ 7 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Concord Review
The 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
Moderate
Foundation for Economic Education (FEE)
The Free Enterprise Institute Summer Seminar (FEE) / FEE con Alternative
Highly selective program on free-market economics, legal principles, and leadership for upperclassmen.
📍 Atlanta, GA⏱ 1 week📅 January 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Pittsburgh Promise (Related to Opportunity)
The Heinz Scholars Program (Historical Affinity) / Pittsburgh Promise
Award for high-achieving, low-income students in PA and OH to attend a partner college.
📍 PA/OH⏱ 4 years📅 December 1🎓 Grade 12
Selective
The Young Researcher
The Young Researcher
Peer-reviewed journal for IB Extended Essay and similar research.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley ATDP
Academic Talent Development Program with summer courses for grades 7-12.
📍 Berkeley, CA⏱ 3-6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 7–12
Moderate
University of Chicago
UChicago Summer Session Pre-College
Three and four-week pre-college programs at UChicago across humanities and sciences.
📍 Chicago, IL⏱ 3-4 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UCLA
UCLA Summer Sessions for HS
Six-week and short-term pre-college academic courses at UCLA.
📍 Los Angeles, CA⏱ 2-10 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
UNESCO
UNESCO Youth Programmes
Rolling list of UNESCO calls: youth forums, writing prizes, sustainability grants. Open to youth worldwide.
📍 Various📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Oxford
UNIQ Summer School
Free residential summer school for UK state-school students in Year 12 — subject-specific academic sessions on the Oxford course you'd apply to.
📍 Oxford, UK⏱ 1 week (July)📅 January (Year 12)🎓 Grade 11
Selective
UWC International
United World Colleges Scholarships
Two-year, needs-blind scholarships to complete the IB Diploma at one of 18 UWC schools worldwide; students selected by their country's national committee.
📍 18 campuses worldwide⏱ 2 years📅 National deadlines: fall/winter🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
University of Pennsylvania
UPenn Summer Programs
Pre-college summer programs across business, biomedical research, social justice, and academic.
📍 Philadelphia, PA⏱ 3-6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
USC
USC Bovard Scholars
Fully-funded college-prep and academic program for high-achieving, low-income California juniors.
📍 CA⏱ 3 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grade 11
Selective
USC
USC Summer Programs
Pre-college summer programs across arts, sciences, business, journalism.
📍 Los Angeles, CA⏱ 2-4 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Wisconsin-Madison
UW-Madison PEOPLE Program
Free year-round college-prep + research for Wisconsin students of color and first-gen.
📍 WI⏱ Year-round + summer📅 Rolling (school-based)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt Summer Academy
Pre-college research at Vanderbilt. Need-based aid available.
📍 TN⏱ 1-3 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Population Connection
World of 8 Billion Student Video Contest
Students create short videos highlighting solutions to global issues like population growth and sustainability.
📍 Global⏱ One-time📅 May 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Demidec
World Scholar's Cup
Team academic tournament — debate, collaborative writing, quiz bowl, and scholar's bowl — with regional, global, and Tournament of Champions rounds at Yale.
📍 Regional rounds worldwide⏱ 2–3 days per round📅 Rolling · regional dates🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Yale University
Yale Young Global Scholars
Two-week interdisciplinary academic enrichment program.
📍 New Haven, CT⏱ 2 weeks📅 January🎓 Grades 10–11
Moderate
Yale University
Yale Young Global Scholars (Need-Based Aid)
YYGS offers full need-based scholarships covering tuition, travel, and room.
📍 CT⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
U.S. State Department
YES Abroad
Fully-funded year-long high school exchange to countries with significant Muslim populations.
📍 Abroad (nationwide eligibility)⏱ Academic year📅 January🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Adler Planetarium / Zooniverse
Zooniverse Citizen Scientist Volunteer
Research and tag images for academic science projects. High schoolers can contribute to NASA or university data sets from home.
📍 Online⏱ Flexible📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective

Humanities programs for high schoolers.

All humanities programs

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