Public Policy programs for high schoolers.
72 programs indexed in public policy. 58 are free or pay a stipend. 30 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new public policy program.
All public policy programs
- SelectiveAmerican 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📅 February 15🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveSamford UniversityAlabama Governor's School
A three-week summer residential program for high-achieving high school students in Alabama.
📍 Birmingham, AL⏱ 3 weeks📅 April 1🎓 Grades 10–11 - SelectiveAmeriCorpsAmeriCorps Summer of Service
Service opportunities for teens through select programs.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAshokaAshoka Young Changemakers
Global community of young people (10–20) already leading social innovation projects; selected changemakers receive mentorship, storytelling support, and network access.
📍 Remote (Global)⏱ Ongoing fellowship📅 Rolling · by country🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAspen InstituteAspen Challenge
City-based design challenge for high school teams to solve community problems.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Academic year📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBank of AmericaBank of America Student Leaders
Paid 8-week summer internship with nonprofits + leadership summit in DC.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ 8 weeks📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveBest BuddiesBest Buddies Youth Leadership
Build friendships with people with IDD; chapter and leadership opportunities.
📍 Multiple schools⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12 - SelectiveCity of BostonBoston SuccessLink
Free paid summer employment program for Boston youth ages 14-18.
📍 Boston, MA⏱ 6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBrown UniversityBrown Leadership Institute
Pre-college leadership program at Brown. Need-based scholarships.
📍 RI⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 May🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateNorthwestern CTDCivic Leadership Institute
Service-learning summer program for civic-minded teens.
📍 Evanston, IL⏱ 3 weeks📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCoca-Cola FoundationCoca-Cola Scholars Program
USD 20K college scholarships for 150 graduating seniors annually. Free to apply.
📍 Online application⏱ Senior year📅 October🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveCoding it ForwardCoding it Forward Civic Innovation Corps
Summer civic-tech fellowship placing students at federal agencies (mostly college, some HS programs).
📍 United States⏱ 10 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grade 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 - SelectiveCoroCoro Exploring Leadership
Civic leadership program for high school students in major US cities.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Academic year📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCoro Northern CaliforniaCoro Youth Fellows
Civic leadership fellowships for young people exploring careers in public affairs.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveDC DOESDC Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment
Free paid summer jobs for DC youth 14-24. Wide range of placements.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 6 weeks📅 Feb-Mar🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveDebate MateDebate Mate
After-school debate mentoring by university student coaches, delivered to state schools across the UK and now internationally; free for participating schools.
📍 UK + Global partner schools⏱ School-year program📅 School enrolment: fall🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveDoSomething.orgDoSomething Campaigns
Volunteer campaigns with scholarship sweepstakes for participants.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12 - ModerateDuke UniversityDuke Summer Academy
Pre-college academic programs at Duke. Need-based scholarships.
📍 NC⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveFederal ReserveFed Challenge
Free team competition analyzing monetary policy — top teams present at the Federal Reserve.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Year-long competition📅 October🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveGeneration CitizenGeneration Citizen Student Leadership Board
Action civics program enabling students to lead community campaigns on local policy issues.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Year-long📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveGeneration CitizenGeneration Citizen Youth Council
National civic action council for high schoolers.
📍 Online⏱ Academic year📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateUN FoundationGirl Up Leadership Summit
Annual leadership summit in Washington, DC for girls, women, and non-binary students worldwide, with workshops on advocacy, policy, and organizing.
📍 Washington, DC + Global chapters⏱ 3 days (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveThe Climate Reality ProjectGlobal Youth Climate Network
International youth climate leadership and action network.
📍 Global📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUnited Nations / WHOGlobal Youth Mobilization Fellowship
An online-based global youth leadership accelerator focused on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
📍 Online⏱ 3 months (Learning)📅 May (Annual)🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveNASA / University of ToledoGLOBE 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🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveHabitat for HumanityHabitat for Humanity Youth
Year-round and summer build volunteer opportunities.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12 - SelectiveHarvard International ReviewHarvard International Review Academic Writing Contest
A rigorous economics essay competition organized on a global scale.
📍 Online📅 October 1🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateHarvard UniversityHarvard Model Congress
Premier high school simulation of the US federal government, run by Harvard students.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ 4 days📅 Winter🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateHarvard International Relations CouncilHarvard Model United Nations International
Harvard's international MUN conferences (India, China, Latin America, Europe) for high schoolers.
📍 Rotating international sites📅 Varies by conference🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUS House (historical)House Page Program (alumni network)
Historical House page-style programs and current House internship opportunities.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 1 semester📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveCity BureauLocal News for Teens Internships (CityBureau Documenters)
Paid civic journalism documenters program in select cities.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveVarious universitiesModel 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🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateTHIMUN FoundationModel United Nations International Conferences
The largest international high school MUN conference network; THIMUN Hague, Singapore, Qatar, and more.
📍 The Hague, Singapore, Doha, and more📅 Rolling (multiple conferences)🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateNSLCNational Student Leadership Conference
Pre-college leadership programs across law, medicine, engineering, business and more.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ 9 days📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAmerican Legion North DakotaNorth 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🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveNYC DYCDNYC Ladders for Leaders
Free paid summer internship program for NYC high schoolers. Stipend included; competitive admission.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 6 weeks📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCity of ChicagoOne Summer Chicago
Free paid summer jobs and internships for Chicago youth ages 14-24.
📍 Chicago, IL⏱ 6 weeks📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectivePeace FirstPeace First Mini-Grants
Digital platform and mini-grants (up to $250) for 13–25-year-olds anywhere in the world to design and launch a project responding to injustice in their community.
📍 Remote (Global)⏱ Project-based📅 Rolling · anytime🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectivePossePosse 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🎓 Grade 12 - ModeratePrinceton UniversityPrinceton Model Congress
Four-day high school simulation of Congress run by Princeton students in DC.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 4 days📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAmerican Political Science AssociationRalph Bunche Summer Institute
Funded political science research for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
📍 Multiple (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 5 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveFederal Reserve BanksRBA / Federal Reserve Essay Contests
Various regional Fed essay and case competitions for high schoolers.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAmerican Red CrossRed Cross Youth Volunteer
Youth volunteer roles in disaster relief, blood services, education.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveSchmidt Futures × Rhodes TrustRise
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 - SelectiveRiseRise (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🎓 Grades 9–10 - SelectiveRotary InternationalRotary RYLA
Sponsored leadership training for ages 14-30.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ 3-10 days📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveSchoolhouse.worldSchoolhouse.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🎓 Grades 10–12 - Highly SelectiveSciences PoSciences Po Summer University
International summer program in Paris on social sciences, humanities, and public affairs.
📍 Paris, France📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveCity of SeattleSeattle Youth Employment Program
Free paid summer internships for Seattle youth ages 16-21. Targeted toward youth furthest from opportunity.
📍 Seattle, WA⏱ 8 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUS SenateSenate Page Program
Selective program where high school juniors serve as pages for US senators in DC.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ 1 semester📅 Rolling🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveSouth Dakota State LegislatureSouth 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🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveSpecial OlympicsSpecial Olympics Youth Activation
Youth leadership and unified sports programs.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12 - SelectiveTED-EdTED-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 - Selective5 Gyres InstituteThe 5 Gyres Institute Ambassador Program (Youth)
Young leaders working to solve the ocean plastic crisis through local policy change.
📍 Online/Nationwide⏱ Ongoing📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUS CongressThe Congressional Award
Bronze through Gold Medal program recognizing service, fitness, expedition, and personal development.
📍 All states⏱ 6-24 months📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 8–12 - 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 - SelectiveThe Diana AwardThe Diana Award
International charity honoring young people (9–25) for social action or humanitarian work; programmes include mentoring, anti-bullying, and the Legacy Award.
📍 Remote (Global)⏱ Varies📅 Nominations open year-round🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveThe NSHSS FoundationThe NSHSS Foundation
Fosters the growth of students pursuing the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), business, economics, public policy, and environmental science and sustainability fields. Connects young scholars with additional opportunities to advance their education, personal growth and career interests.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveSALA / Global LeadersThe 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🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUNICEF USAUNICEF UNITED National Council
Student-led advocacy for global child welfare.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Academic year📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - 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 - SelectiveUWC InternationalUnited 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 - SelectiveUS HouseUS House Page Program (alumni network)
Visit programs and learning resources from the US House of Representatives.
📍 Washington, DC⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUSCUSC Bovard Scholars
Fully-funded college-prep and academic program for high-achieving, low-income California juniors.
📍 CA⏱ 3 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grade 11 - ModerateWorld Federation of United Nations AssociationsWFUNA International Model UN
Officially UN-endorsed Model UN conferences that use real UN Rules of Procedure, with editions in New York, Geneva, and rotating global cities.
📍 New York · Geneva · Rotating⏱ 3–5 days📅 Rolling · by conference🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectivePhiladelphia Youth NetworkWorkReady Philadelphia
Free paid summer work experience for Philadelphia youth ages 12-24.
📍 Philadelphia, PA⏱ 6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUniversity of Wyoming School of Energy ResourcesWyoming 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🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateYMCAYMCA Youth and Government
Model state-legislature program. Local YMCA fees vary; scholarships available.
📍 State capitals⏱ School year📅 Fall-Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveVariousYouth Climate Leaders
Free youth climate summits and competitions. Project-based environmental advocacy.
📍 Online + regional⏱ Self-paced📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateNational Park ServiceYouth Conservation Corps (YCC)
A summer employment program that engages young people in meaningful work projects on public lands.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 8-10 weeks📅 Mid-April🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveU.S. Department of StateYSEALI Academic Fellows
Fully-funded five-week academic residency in the US for outstanding students from Southeast Asian countries; tracks in civic engagement, environment, and social entrepreneurship.
📍 United States (SE Asian applicants)⏱ 5 weeks📅 Country-specific (fall)🎓 Grades 11–12