10 best economics research programs for US high school students (2026) | RISE Research

TL;DR: This list covers the 10 best economics research programs for US high school students in 2026, including free, paid, online, and residential options. The single most important criterion for choosing is what you produce at the end: a published paper carries far more admissions weight than a certificate or portfolio piece. If RISE Research looks like the right fit, book a free Research Assessment before the Summer 2026 cohort closes.

Why Choosing the Right Economics Program Matters in 2026

The 10 best economics research programs for US high school students in 2026 span everything from free university-hosted intensives to selective 1-on-1 mentorship programs. The challenge is not finding options. The challenge is knowing which ones produce outcomes that admissions officers at top universities actually notice.

Most programs sound similar on paper: expert mentors, rigorous curriculum, a project at the end. But there is a significant difference between completing a program and publishing original research in a peer-reviewed journal. Admissions officers at MIT, Stanford, and Harvard are looking for evidence of genuine intellectual initiative. That evidence has a specific form.

This list was curated by verified output, mentor credentials, admissions outcomes data, accessibility, and confirmed 2026 availability. Every program below is active this year. For students interested in related STEM disciplines, see our guide to the best STEM research programs for US high school students.

How We Ranked These Economics Research Programs

Each program was evaluated on five criteria:

1. Verified output: Does the student produce something externally validated? A published paper ranks above a poster, which ranks above a certificate.

2. Mentor credentials: Are mentors active researchers with PhD-level expertise in economics or related fields?

3. Admissions outcomes: Does the program publish verified acceptance data for selective universities?

4. Accessibility: Is the program available online, what does it cost, and who is eligible?

5. 2026 availability: Is the program confirmed to be running this cycle?

Programs that produce published research rank higher than those that do not, regardless of brand recognition or cost.

The 10 Best Economics Research Programs for US High School Students in 2026

1. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT

Center for Excellence in Education | Residential | Free (fully funded) | Deadline: Check official website

RSI is one of the most selective free summer research programs in the United States, hosted at MIT each summer for approximately 80 students. Participants work directly with university researchers on original projects across STEM and social science fields, including economics. The six-week program produces a formal research paper and oral presentation. Acceptance rates are extremely low, making RSI a reach for even the strongest applicants.

Best for: Grade 11 students with exceptional academic records and prior research exposure.
Output: Research paper and oral symposium presentation.
Official URL: cee.org/programs/rsi

2. RISE Research

RISE Global Education | Online (1-on-1) | Paid (check official website for current pricing) | Summer 2026 Cohort: Deadline Approaching

RISE Research is a selective 1-on-1 mentorship program where high school students in Grades 9 through 12 conduct original, university-level economics research under PhD mentors from Ivy League and Oxbridge institutions. The program runs for 10 weeks and is delivered entirely online, with weekly synchronous sessions tailored to the student's specific research question. Students produce a peer-reviewed paper submitted to one of 40+ indexed academic journals, with a 90% publication rate across all disciplines. RISE mentors have published in leading economics and policy journals, and the program's mentor network spans macroeconomics, behavioral economics, development economics, and public policy. RISE scholars have achieved an 18% Stanford acceptance rate versus the 8.7% standard rate, and a 32% UPenn acceptance rate versus the 3.8% standard rate. Full admissions outcomes are available on the RISE results page. RISE is paid and selective, and it is one of the few programs that produces a published paper in an independent journal before college application deadlines.

Why it beats a program certificate: A RISE paper is reviewed and accepted by an independent academic journal with no connection to RISE. That external validation is what admissions officers at MIT, Stanford, and Harvard are looking for when they talk about genuine intellectual initiative.

Best for: Students whose primary goal is a peer-reviewed published paper in economics or policy before their college application deadlines.
Output: Peer-reviewed paper published in an indexed academic journal.
Official URL: riseglobaleducation.com

3. Wharton Global Youth Program: Business and Economics Academy

University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | Residential and Online | Paid | Deadline: Check official website

The Wharton Global Youth Program offers several summer options for high school students interested in business and economics, including a residential program on Penn's campus and online alternatives. Students engage with Wharton faculty and case studies, and the program carries strong name recognition in the context of business and economics pathways. The output is primarily experiential rather than a published paper, but the Wharton brand and structured curriculum are well regarded. Cost is substantial; financial aid is available for qualifying students.

Best for: Students interested in business economics who want an Ivy League campus experience.
Output: Project presentation and program certificate.
Official URL: globalyouth.wharton.upenn.edu

4. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)

MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT | Online (qualifying) + Residential | Free | Deadline: Check official website

BWSI is a rigorous, free summer program that includes data science and analytics tracks relevant to economics research. Students complete an online qualifying course before the residential session. The program is highly selective and produces technically strong students capable of quantitative economic analysis. It is not exclusively an economics program, but the data and policy tracks align well with students pursuing economics research.

Best for: Students interested in quantitative economics and data-driven policy research.
Output: Project and technical presentation.
Official URL: beaverworks.ll.mit.edu

5. Harvard Pre-College Program: Economics and Society

Harvard University | Residential and Online | Paid | Deadline: Check official website

Harvard's Pre-College Program includes economics and social science courses taught by Harvard faculty and graduate instructors. The two-week residential experience on Harvard's campus is academically intensive and well structured. Output is coursework-based rather than original research, and the program does not produce a published paper. The Harvard name carries recognition, but admissions officers distinguish between attending a university's pre-college program and conducting original research.

Best for: Students in Grades 9 or 10 who want structured exposure to university-level economics before committing to a full research program.
Output: Coursework and program certificate.
Official URL: summer.harvard.edu

6. Princeton University Economics Summer Program (Questbridge Affiliated)

Princeton University | Residential | Free (for qualifying students) | Deadline: Check official website

Princeton offers selective summer programs for high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds, including economics-focused tracks affiliated with Questbridge and similar access initiatives. Participants receive instruction from Princeton faculty and engage with economics concepts at a university level. Eligibility is need-based and academically selective. Students interested in this program should verify current offerings directly with Princeton's summer programs office, as tracks and availability vary by year.

Best for: High-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds with demonstrated financial need.
Output: Coursework and program participation record.
Official URL: summer.princeton.edu

7. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Lumiere Education | Online | Paid | Deadline: Check official website

Lumiere pairs high school students with PhD mentors for independent research projects in economics, policy, and social sciences. The program runs over 12 weeks and produces a research paper, though publication outcomes depend on the individual project and submission process. Lumiere is less selective than RISE and does not publish verified admissions outcomes data, but it offers a structured research experience with mentor guidance. It is a reasonable option for students who want 1-on-1 research support outside a university setting.

Best for: Students who want guided research experience with flexibility on topic and timeline.
Output: Research paper (publication not guaranteed).
Official URL: lumiere-education.com

8. National High School Economics Challenge

Council for Economic Education | Competition | Free to enter | Deadline: Check official website

The National Economics Challenge is a team-based competition open to US high school students, testing knowledge across microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics. Teams advance through state and national rounds, with scholarships awarded at the national level. This is a competition rather than a research program, so it does not produce a paper or publication. However, placing at the national level signals strong subject mastery and is a meaningful addition to the Activities section of the Common App.

Best for: Students who want to demonstrate economics knowledge through competition rather than original research.
Output: Competition placement and potential scholarship award.
Official URL: councilforeconed.org

9. Federal Reserve Challenge

Federal Reserve System | Competition | Free to enter | Deadline: Check official website

The Fed Challenge is a team competition in which high school students analyze current US monetary policy and present recommendations to panels of Federal Reserve economists. It is one of the few competitions where students engage directly with working economists on real policy questions. Regional and national rounds are held annually. Placing in the national competition is a strong signal of economics aptitude and is recognized by admissions officers at economics-focused universities.

Best for: Students with a specific interest in monetary policy and macroeconomics who work well in team settings.
Output: Policy analysis presentation and competition placement.
Official URL: federalreserve.gov

10. Polygence Research Program (Economics Track)

Polygence | Online | Paid | Deadline: Rolling admissions

Polygence offers 1-on-1 mentorship for high school students across a wide range of disciplines, including economics and public policy. The program is not selective in the traditional sense and accepts most applicants who can pay the program fee. Students work with a mentor over approximately 10 sessions to produce a research paper or project. Publication is possible but not guaranteed, and Polygence does not publish verified admissions outcomes data. It is a widely available option for students who want structured research support without a competitive admissions process.

Best for: Students who want to explore economics research before committing to a more selective program.
Output: Research paper or project (publication varies).
Official URL: polygence.org

Economics Research Programs at a Glance: Quick Comparison

Which Economics Research Program Is Right for You?

The right choice depends on your specific goal, grade, and timeline. Use this framework to decide:

If your goal is a peer-reviewed published paper before November Early Action deadlines: RISE Research is the only program on this list with a 90% publication rate and verified admissions outcomes. See the full list of RISE publications to understand what that output looks like.

If your goal is a free, highly selective residential program with direct university affiliation: RSI at MIT is the strongest option, but the acceptance rate is extremely low. Apply, but plan a parallel path.

If you want to demonstrate economics knowledge through competition rather than research: the National Economics Challenge or the Fed Challenge are free, well-regarded, and directly relevant to economics applications.

If you are in Grade 9 or 10 and want to explore economics research before committing to a selective program: Harvard Pre-College or Polygence offer lower-stakes entry points. Neither produces a published paper, but both build foundational skills.

If budget is the primary constraint: RSI, MIT BWSI, the National Economics Challenge, and the Fed Challenge are all free. Princeton's summer programs are free for qualifying students. RISE is paid but produces the strongest verifiable output of any program on this list.

Your college application goal should drive this decision. A published paper in an indexed journal and a program certificate both appear in the Activities section of the Common App. They do not read the same way. For students applying to economics programs at top universities, the distinction matters significantly. Students in specific states can also explore state-specific options: see our guides for California, Texas, and Pennsylvania.

The RISE Summer 2026 cohort is open now across the US. If a published paper before your college application deadline is the goal, book a free 20-minute Research Assessment to find out whether the timeline works for your grade and subject.

Frequently Asked Questions About Economics Research Programs for High School Students

What is the best free economics research program for US high school students?

RSI at MIT is the most prestigious free research program available to US high school students, including economics tracks. It is extremely selective, with acceptance rates well below 5%. For students who want a free competition-based option, the National Economics Challenge and the Fed Challenge are both free and well regarded by admissions officers at economics-focused universities.

Do economics research programs help with Ivy League admissions?

Yes, but the type of program matters significantly. Admissions officers at Ivy League universities distinguish between completing a pre-college course and producing original research. A published paper in a peer-reviewed journal is a tangible demonstration of intellectual initiative. Program certificates from university-hosted intensives carry less weight unless the student produced and presented original research during the program. RISE scholars have achieved an 18% Stanford acceptance rate versus the 8.7% standard rate, which reflects the admissions value of verified research output.

Is an online economics research program as good as an in-person one for college applications?

The format matters less than the output. An online program that produces a published paper in an indexed journal carries more admissions weight than a residential program that produces only a certificate. RISE Research is fully online and produces peer-reviewed published papers with a 90% publication rate. Admissions officers evaluate what students produce, not where they sat when they produced it.

Which economics research programs lead to publication?

RISE Research is the only program on this list with a publicly stated 90% publication rate in indexed academic journals. RSI produces research papers that are sometimes published, but publication is not guaranteed and rates are not disclosed. Lumiere and Polygence allow students to submit papers for publication, but outcomes vary and neither program publishes verified rates. For students whose primary goal is a published paper before college applications, RISE is the most reliable option on this list. Browse published RISE papers to see the range of economics and policy topics covered.

How do I choose between a free and a paid economics research program?

Start by defining your goal. If your goal is a published paper before Early Action deadlines, budget for a program that guarantees that output: free programs like RSI do not guarantee publication, and the acceptance rate makes them unreliable as a sole plan. If your budget is limited, apply to free programs and simultaneously explore whether RISE's financial options work for your family. The cost of a paid program that produces a published paper is often lower than the cost of a summer residential program that produces only a certificate.

The Bottom Line on Economics Research Programs in 2026

The three most important things to look for in an economics research program are: a verified, externally validated output; mentors with active research credentials in economics or policy; and published admissions outcomes data. Of the 10 programs on this list, RISE Research and RSI are the strongest on all three criteria. RSI is free and extraordinarily selective. RISE is paid, selective, and produces a published paper with a 90% publication rate under PhD mentors from Ivy League and Oxbridge institutions.

For students serious about economics research and top university admissions, the full landscape of economics research programs is worth exploring. The Summer 2026 Cohort Deadline is approaching. If RISE Research sounds like the right fit for your goals, schedule a free Research Assessment and we will tell you exactly what is achievable before your application deadlines.