Public Policy programs for high schoolers.
43 programs indexed in public policy. 33 are free or pay a stipend. 9 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new public policy program.
All public policy programs
- ModerateNC State University Global Training Initiative36 Hours to Save the World / Global Challenge Weekend
Students form remote teams and spend 36 hours developing solutions to global sustainability and policy challenges before presenting to judges.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Social SciencesAcademy for Hawaiʻi Intelligence Studies Summer Program
Students study international security and intelligence through a university course, simulations, games, field trips and meetings with Hawaiʻi and national intelligence professionals.
📍 HI🎓 Grades 10–12 - 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 - SelectiveUniversity of Central ArkansasArkansas and the World: International Affairs Summer Camp
Fifty Arkansas students study international relations, diplomacy, the UN and Model UN before representing countries in General Assembly simulations and crisis exercises.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 10–12 - 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 Mayor's Youth Council
Boston high-school students represent youth in city government, collaborate with officials, and develop projects addressing community and civic issues.
📍 MA🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCity of BostonBoston SuccessLink
Free paid summer employment program for Boston youth ages 14-18.
📍 Boston, MA⏱ 6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateGeorgetown UniversityBridges to Social Justice Academy
Three-week academy combining seminars, workshops, dialogue, site visits and project design around social justice, civic engagement and community change.
📍 DC🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBrown UniversityBrown Leadership Institute
Pre-college leadership program at Brown. Need-based scholarships.
📍 RI⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 May🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveCalifornia State Board of EducationCalifornia State Board of Education Student Member
One California public-school senior is appointed as a full voting member of the State Board of Education, participates in state education policymaking and represents student perspectives at board and advisory meetings.
📍 CA🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveGeorge Washington UniversityCaminos al Futuro
Three-week residential program where rising seniors examine social, political and economic issues affecting Hispanic and Latino communities and develop leadership/community-impact projects.
📍 DC🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveChesapeake Bay FoundationChesapeake Bay Foundation Student Leadership Program
High-school students join a year-round leadership network, attend primarily virtual monthly meetings, participate in advocacy and conservation events, and design an evidence-based environmental action project.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateChesapeake Bay FoundationChesapeake Connections & Actions
Students investigate environmental challenges in rivers, marshes, farmland, and Bay communities while developing advocacy and environmental-leadership skills.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCity of WichitaCity of Wichita Leadership Internship Program
High-school and college students can work with city departments on areas such as planning, courts, purchasing, administration, and other public-service functions. Positions may be paid or unpaid depending on placement.
📍 KS🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateUniversity of GeorgiaCity Shapers: Urban Design
Students investigate transportation, infrastructure, neighborhoods and planning policy before designing a solution to a real urban challenge.
📍 GA🎓 Grades 9–12 - 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 - SelectiveUniversity of Maine Cohen Institute for Leadership & Public ServiceCohen High School Summer Leadership Program
Rising seniors nominated by their schools attend a fully funded residential program combining college-level leadership study, public service, team-building, outdoor leadership, and interaction with prominent leaders.
📍 ME🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveOffice of U.S. Senator John BoozmanCongressional Youth Cabinet
Arkansas juniors meet with peers throughout the year, learn how Congress and the legislative process work, discuss current issues and provide ideas to Senator Boozman.
📍 AR🎓 Grade 11 - Highly SelectiveCalvin Coolidge Presidential FoundationCoolidge Connecticut Open
High-school students compete in four rounds of structured debate, with undefeated varsity competitors earning invitations to the national Coolidge Cup.
📍 CT🎓 Grades 9–12 - 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 - SelectiveCoro Northern CaliforniaCoro Youth Fellows
Civic leadership fellowships for young people exploring careers in public affairs.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Varies📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveHelena-West Helena School DistrictCougar Next Level Scholars Institute
Advanced interdisciplinary program combining research, STEM, literature, leadership, civic innovation, seminars and innovation labs around real-world problems.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNew Jersey Department of EducationDare to Dream Student Leadership Conferences
Seven regional conferences for middle- and high-school students with disabilities featuring student-led workshops on self-advocacy, leadership, IEP participation, college and workplace rights. Attendance is free.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveDartmouth CollegeDartmouth Precollege Leadership Institute
Intensive leadership program combining Dartmouth seminars on policy, institutions, social change and leadership with immersive outdoor leadership experiences in New Hampshire's White Mountains.
📍 NH🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveUniversity of the District of ColumbiaData STEAAM Summer Camp
Six-week business-intelligence and research program where DC students use data analytics to study agriculture, energy, architecture and public-policy problems while working in university labs and research farms.
📍 DC🎓 Grades 9–12 - 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 - SelectiveNew Jersey Department of Children and FamiliesDCF Youth Council
Youth ages 15–23 with current or past DCF involvement serve two-year terms, helping redesign programs, influence policy and present recommendations directly to state leadership. Recruitment for the 2026–27 term is active.
📍 NJ🎓 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 - SelectiveState of DelawareDelaware State Board of Education Student Member
One high-school student serves a full one-year term as a non-voting State Board member and contributes student perspectives on curriculum, graduation requirements, equity and accountability.
📍 DE🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveGeorgia Department of Economic DevelopmentDepartment of Economic Development Student Internship
Currently enrolled Georgia high-school or postsecondary students can obtain practical state-government experience applying academic skills to economic-development work.
📍 GA🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateJohns Hopkins UniversityDigital Society: Big Data, Social Media, and Ethical Engagement
Students examine big data, social media, society, and ethical engagement.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateDrexel UniversityDornsife Public Health Summer Institute
Epidemiology, health policy and public-health careers.
📍 PA🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveDoSomething.orgDoSomething Campaigns
Volunteer campaigns with scholarship sweepstakes for participants.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12 - Highly SelectiveDuke UniversityDuke 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📅 April🎓 Grades 10–11 - ModerateDuke UniversityDuke Summer Academy
Pre-college academic programs at Duke. Need-based scholarships.
📍 NC⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveCity of DurhamDurham YouthWorks
Paid career-development program connecting Durham youth with work experiences, professional training and employer projects in several career pathways.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 9–12