Public Policy programs for high schoolers.

All public policy 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. Samford University

   Alabama Governor's School

   A three-week summer residential program for high-achieving high school students in Alabama.

   📍 Birmingham, AL⏱ 3 weeks📅 April 1🎓 10, 11

   Selective
3. AmeriCorps

   AmeriCorps Summer of Service

   Service opportunities for teens through select programs.

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

   Selective
4. Aspen Institute

   Aspen Challenge

   City-based design challenge for high school teams to solve community problems.

   📍 Multiple cities⏱ Academic year📅 Fall🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

   Selective
5. Bank of America

   Bank of America Student Leaders

   Paid internship at a local nonprofit + week-long DC leadership summit.

   📍 Multiple (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 Mid-January🎓 11, 12

   Selective
6. Bank of America

   Bank of America Student Leaders

   Paid 8-week summer internship with nonprofits + leadership summit in DC.

   📍 Multiple cities⏱ 8 weeks📅 January🎓 11, 12

   Selective
7. Best Buddies

   Best Buddies Youth Leadership

   Build friendships with people with IDD; chapter and leadership opportunities.

   📍 Multiple schools⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

   Selective
8. City of Boston

   Boston SuccessLink

   Free paid summer employment program for Boston youth ages 14-18.

   📍 Boston, MA⏱ 6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

   Selective
9. Brown University

   Brown Leadership Institute

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

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

   Moderate
10. Northwestern CTD

    Civic Leadership Institute

    Service-learning summer program for civic-minded teens.

    📍 Evanston, IL⏱ 3 weeks📅 March🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Moderate
11. Coca-Cola Foundation

    Coca-Cola Scholars Program

    USD 20K college scholarships for 150 graduating seniors annually. Free to apply.

    📍 Online application⏱ Senior year📅 October🎓 12

    Selective
12. Coding it Forward

    Coding it Forward Civic Innovation Corps

    Summer civic-tech fellowship placing students at federal agencies (mostly college, some HS programs).

    📍 United States⏱ 10 weeks📅 Winter🎓 12

    Selective
13. Coolidge Scholars Foundation

    Coolidge Senators Program

    Fully-funded public policy program at the Coolidge Foundation in Vermont.

    📍 VT (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 January🎓 10, 11

    Selective
14. Coro

    Coro Exploring Leadership

    Civic leadership program for high school students in major US cities.

    📍 Multiple cities⏱ Academic year📅 Spring🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
15. Coro Northern California

    Coro Youth Fellows

    Civic leadership fellowships for young people exploring careers in public affairs.

    📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Spring🎓 11, 12

    Selective
16. DC DOES

    DC Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment

    Free paid summer jobs for DC youth 14-24. Wide range of placements.

    📍 Washington, DC⏱ 6 weeks📅 Feb-Mar🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
17. DoSomething.org

    DoSomething Campaigns

    Volunteer campaigns with scholarship sweepstakes for participants.

    📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
18. Duke University

    Duke Marine Lab Community Science Program

    A hands-on summer research program at the Duke University Marine Lab focusing on ocean science and environmental justice.

    📍 Beaufort, NC⏱ 2 weeks📅 March 1🎓 10, 11

    Highly Selective
19. Duke University

    Duke Summer Academy

    Pre-college academic programs at Duke. Need-based scholarships.

    📍 NC⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 April🎓 10, 11, 12

    Moderate
20. Various State Govs官方

    Election Security High School Hackathon (State Specific)Check SITE

    Competition where high schoolers solve coding challenges to help secure election technology.

    📍 Online⏱ 1 day📅 March 31🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
21. Federal Reserve

    Fed Challenge

    Free team competition analyzing monetary policy — top teams present at the Federal Reserve.

    📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Year-long competition📅 October🎓 11, 12

    Selective
22. Generation Citizen

    Generation Citizen Student Leadership Board

    Action civics program enabling students to lead community campaigns on local policy issues.

    📍 Multiple cities⏱ Year-long📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
23. Generation Citizen

    Generation Citizen Youth Council

    National civic action council for high schoolers.

    📍 Online⏱ Academic year📅 Spring🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
24. United Nations / WHO

    Global Youth Mobilization Fellowship

    An online-based global youth leadership accelerator focused on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

    📍 Online⏱ 3 months (Learning)📅 May (Annual)🎓 10, 11, 12

    Selective
25. NASA / University of Toledo

    GLOBE Mission EARTH (GME)

    A year-long club-based program where students engage in data-driven environmental justice projects and present to scientists.

    📍 Online / Various⏱ Year-round📅 October 31🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
26. Habitat for Humanity

    Habitat for Humanity Youth

    Year-round and summer build volunteer opportunities.

    📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
27. Harvard International Review

    Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest

    A rigorous economics essay competition organized on a global scale.

    📍 Online⏱ N/A📅 October 1🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
28. Harvard University

    Harvard Model Congress

    Premier government simulation conference for high school students.

    📍 Multiple cities⏱ 4 days📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Moderate
29. Harvard University

    Harvard Model Congress

    Premier high school simulation of the US federal government, run by Harvard students.

    📍 Multiple cities⏱ 4 days📅 Winter🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Moderate
30. US House (historical)

    House Page Program (alumni network)

    Historical House page-style programs and current House internship opportunities.

    📍 Washington, DC⏱ 1 semester📅 Spring🎓 11, 12

    Selective
31. Kiwanis

    Key Club International

    World's largest student-led service organization.

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

    Moderate
32. City Bureau

    Local News for Teens Internships (CityBureau Documenters)

    Paid civic journalism documenters program in select cities.

    📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
33. 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
34. NSLC

    National Student Leadership Conference

    Pre-college leadership programs across law, medicine, engineering, business and more.

    📍 Multiple cities⏱ 9 days📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Moderate
35. American Legion North Dakota

    North Dakota Boys State and Girls State

    A leadership program for high school students in North Dakota to learn about government and civic engagement.

    📍 Bismarck, ND⏱ 1 week📅 March 15🎓 11, 12

    Selective
36. National Speech and Debate Association

    NSDA Nationals

    Largest US speech and debate tournament. Qualify through your district. Substantial scholarships for finalists.

    📍 Rotating US city⏱ 1 week📅 June🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Moderate
37. NYC DYCD

    NYC Ladders for Leaders

    Free paid summer internship program for NYC high schoolers. Stipend included; competitive admission.

    📍 New York, NY⏱ 6 weeks📅 January🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
38. City of Chicago

    One Summer Chicago

    Free paid summer jobs and internships for Chicago youth ages 14-24.

    📍 Chicago, IL⏱ 6 weeks📅 February🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
39. Posse

    Posse Foundation

    Full-tuition leadership scholarships nominated by partner cities. High schoolers from cities like New York, Chicago, LA, Atlanta nominate by August of senior year.

    📍 Partner cities⏱ Senior year📅 August🎓 12

    Selective
40. Princeton University

    Princeton Model Congress

    Four-day high school simulation of Congress run by Princeton students in DC.

    📍 Washington, DC⏱ 4 days📅 Fall🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Moderate
41. Princeton University

    Princeton Summer Journalism Program

    Fully-funded journalism program for high-achieving, low-income juniors. Travel and lodging covered.

    📍 NJ (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 10 days (summer)📅 February🎓 11

    Selective
42. 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
43. Federal Reserve Banks

    RBA / Federal Reserve Essay Contests

    Various regional Fed essay and case competitions for high schoolers.

    📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 Varies🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
44. American Red Cross

    Red Cross Youth Volunteer

    Youth volunteer roles in disaster relief, blood services, education.

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

    Selective
45. Rise

    Rise (Schmidt Futures × Rhodes Trust)

    Global program identifying brilliant young people who need support. Scholarships, mentorship, funding.

    📍 Multiple + Remote (nationwide eligibility)⏱ Lifetime support starting at age 15-17📅 January🎓 9, 10

    Selective
46. Rotary International

    Rotary RYLA

    Sponsored leadership training for ages 14-30.

    📍 Multiple cities⏱ 3-10 days📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
47. Schoolhouse.world

    Schoolhouse.world Tutor

    A non-profit platform providing free, peer-to-peer tutoring in SAT prep and Math to students worldwide; volunteers can lead 'series' or 'sessions'.

    📍 Online⏱ Flexible📅 Ongoing🎓 10, 11, 12

    Selective
48. City of Seattle

    Seattle Youth Employment Program

    Free paid summer internships for Seattle youth ages 16-21. Targeted toward youth furthest from opportunity.

    📍 Seattle, WA⏱ 8 weeks📅 Spring🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
49. US Senate

    Senate Page Program

    Selective program where high school juniors serve as pages for US senators in DC.

    📍 Washington, DC⏱ 1 semester📅 Rolling🎓 11

    Selective
50. South Dakota State Legislature

    South Dakota Legislative Page Program

    A year-long fellowship for South Dakota high school students to engage in state policy-making and legislative observation.

    📍 Pierre, SD⏱ 1 year📅 April 1🎓 11, 12

    Selective
51. Special Olympics

    Special Olympics Youth Activation

    Youth leadership and unified sports programs.

    📍 Multiple states⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
52. 5 Gyres Institute

    The 5 Gyres Institute Ambassador Program (Youth)

    Young leaders working to solve the ocean plastic crisis through local policy change.

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

    Selective
53. US Congress

    The Congressional Award

    Bronze through Gold Medal program recognizing service, fitness, expedition, and personal development.

    📍 All states⏱ 6-24 months📅 Rolling🎓 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
54. The Coolidge Foundation

    The 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

    Selective
55. SALA / Global Leaders

    The Summer Academy for Global Leadership (Virtual)

    An intensive 4-week program for students to learn community organizing, civic engagement, and effective altruism. Often has online cohorts.

    📍 Online/Regional Chapters⏱ 4 weeks📅 April🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
56. UNICEF USA

    UNICEF UNITED National Council

    Student-led advocacy for global child welfare.

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

    Selective
57. Hearst Foundations / U.S. Senate

    United 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

    Selective
58. US House

    US House Page Program (alumni network)

    Visit programs and learning resources from the US House of Representatives.

    📍 Washington, DC⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
59. US Senate

    US Senate Page Program

    Live in DC and serve as a US Senate page; sponsored by a senator.

    📍 Washington, DC⏱ 1 semester📅 Varies🎓 11

    Selective
60. USC

    USC Bovard Scholars

    Fully-funded college-prep and academic program for high-achieving, low-income California juniors.

    📍 CA⏱ 3 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 11

    Selective
61. Center for Civic Education

    We 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

    Selective
62. Philadelphia Youth Network

    WorkReady Philadelphia

    Free paid summer work experience for Philadelphia youth ages 12-24.

    📍 Philadelphia, PA⏱ 6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
63. University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources

    Wyoming Youth Energy Leadership Program

    A year-long series of workshops and mentorship sessions for Wyoming high school students focused on leadership in energy and natural resources.

    📍 Laramie, WY⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 10, 11, 12

    Selective
64. YMCA

    YMCA Youth & Government

    State-level mock government simulations in 38 states.

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

    Moderate
65. YMCA

    YMCA Youth and Government

    Model state-legislature program. Local YMCA fees vary; scholarships available.

    📍 State capitals⏱ School year📅 Fall-Spring🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Moderate
66. Various

    Youth Climate Leaders

    Free youth climate summits and competitions. Project-based environmental advocacy.

    📍 Online + regional⏱ Self-paced📅 Varies🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Selective
67. National Park Service

    Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)

    A summer employment program that engages young people in meaningful work projects on public lands.

    📍 Nationwide⏱ 8-10 weeks📅 Mid-April🎓 9, 10, 11, 12

    Moderate

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