International Relations programs for high schoolers.

All international relations programs

1. American Foreign Service Association (AFSA)

   AFSA National High School Essay Contest

   An essay contest designed to engage students in thinking about peace and conflict resolution.

   📍 Online⏱ N/A📅 February 15🎓 11, 12

   Selective
2. Brown University

   Brown Leadership Institute

   Pre-college leadership program at Brown. Need-based scholarships.

   📍 RI⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 May🎓 10, 11, 12

   Moderate
3. Georgetown University

   Georgetown Summer College

   Earn college credit in IR, politics, business, and more.

   📍 Washington, DC⏱ 3-5 weeks📅 May🎓 10, 11, 12

   Moderate
4. Harvard University

   Harvard Model UN

   High school Model UN conference with delegates from around the world.

   📍 Boston, MA⏱ 4 days📅 Fall🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

   Moderate
5. Tufts University

   International Relations

   An intensive program on International Relations, with Tufts Credit Available.

   📍 Tufts University⏱ 📅 2026-07-19🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

   Moderate
6. Khanservatory / Khan Academy Affiliate

   Khan Academy Student Ambassador Program

   High school students from the US can serve as 'International Ambassadors' to help with online math tutoring and outreach.

   📍 Online⏱ Ongoing📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

   Selective
7. London School of Economics

   LSE Summer School

   University-level economics, finance, IR, and law courses in London.

   📍 London, UK⏱ 3 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 11, 12

   Highly Selective
8. Various universities

   Model UN (BMUN / NHSMUN / MUNUC)

   High school Model United Nations conferences held by universities. Registration fees; many offer financial aid.

   📍 Berkeley / NYC / Chicago⏱ 3-4 days📅 Varies🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

   Highly Selective
9. IMUNA

   National High School Model United Nations

   World's largest model UN conference held at UN headquarters in New York.

   📍 New York, NY⏱ 4 days📅 Spring🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

   Moderate
10. 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🎓 10, 11, 12

    Selective
11. US Dept. of State

    NSLI-Y National Security Language Initiative

    Fully-funded scholarships for HS students to study Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Russian, Turkish abroad.

    📍 Global⏱ 6 weeks - 1 year📅 Fall🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Highly Selective
12. American Political Science Association

    Ralph Bunche Summer Institute

    Funded political science research for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

    📍 Multiple (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 5 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 11, 12

    Selective
13. Stanford SIEPR

    Stanford International Youth Forum

    Policy and economics forum for international and US high school students.

    📍 Stanford, CA⏱ 1 week📅 March🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Moderate
14. Stanford University

    Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

    Residential courses in humanities, social sciences, and STEM.

    📍 Stanford, CA⏱ 3 weeks📅 February🎓 8, 9, 10, 11

    Moderate
15. Aspen Institute

    The Stevens Initiative Virtual Exchange

    A high school program focusing on international affairs and cultural exchange between US and Middle Eastern students. Online workshops.

    📍 Online⏱ 6 months📅 Early February🎓 9, 10, 11

    Selective
16. UNICEF USA

    UNICEF UNITED National Council

    Student-led advocacy for global child welfare.

    📍 Multiple states⏱ Academic year📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
17. Center for World Affairs / Bezos Academy

    World Affairs Challenge

    Project-based competition tackling UN Sustainable Development Goals.

    📍 Denver, CO⏱ Academic year📅 May🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
18. WSDC

    World Schools Debating Championships

    Premier international high school team debating championship.

    📍 Global⏱ 2 weeks📅 Summer🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Moderate
19. Yale YRIS

    Yale Review of International Studies

    Undergraduate IR journal that publishes select high school work.

    📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
20. Yale University

    Yale Young Global Scholars

    Two-week interdisciplinary academic enrichment program.

    📍 New Haven, CT⏱ 2 weeks📅 January🎓 10, 11

    Moderate
21. 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🎓 10, 11

    Selective
22. 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🎓 10, 11, 12

    Selective

Other research areas