History & Civics Programs & Competitions for High School Students

History and civics extracurriculars include National History Day, mock trial and government programs, and archival research opportunities.

They are the natural proving ground for future law, policy, and humanities applicants.

75 verified programs match this page; 20 of the featured listings are completely free; 8 can be done online.

Featured programs

Browse 30+ curated programs for high school students:

• White House Internship Program — The White House: Gain hands-on leadership experience with this prestigious White House internship. Perfect for building government skills and boosting college applicat
• United States Senate Youth Program — Hearst Foundations: Explore leadership and civic skills in this prestigious high school program. Includes a week in Washington, D.C. and a $10,000 scholarship to boost co
• State Department Student Programs — U.S. Department of State: Explore leadership and government through free State Department internships and exchange programs. Gain hands-on diplomacy experience to boost college
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute R2L NextGen — Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute: Free week-long program in Washington DC for Hispanic high school students interested in public service and policy. Includes meetings with Congress mem
• Lincoln Forum Scholarship Essay Contest — The Lincoln Forum: Essay contest on Abraham Lincoln and Civil War era. Cash prizes and attendance at annual symposium. Shows historical research and writing excellence.
• American Legion Boys/Girls State — American Legion: Week-long government simulation. Top participants selected for Boys/Girls Nation.
• YMCA Youth & Government (State Model Legislature & Court) — YMCA: Develop leadership and public speaking skills in this hands-on government program for high schoolers. Perfect for college resumes and exploring civics
• Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Student Leadership Program — Reagan Foundation: Leadership program at Reagan Presidential Library.
• iCivics Equity in Civics Youth Fellowship — iCivics & CIRCLE (Tufts): Empower your leadership skills in this free, virtual civics fellowship for high school students. Gain hands-on experience and boost your college appli
• National History Bowl — International Academic Competitions: Compete in the National History Bowl, a thrilling quiz competition for high schoolers. Boost teamwork, historical knowledge, and stand out on college
• StudentCam Documentary Competition — C-SPAN: StudentCam is C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary competition for U.S. middle and high school students.
• Presidential Classroom — Presidential Classroom: Immersive civic leadership program in Washington, D.C. where students meet with lawmakers, visit government agencies, and debate policy issues on Capi
• Virginia High School Leaders Program — UVA Cooper Center: Develop leadership skills and boost college applications through this in-person summer program with hands-on civic engagement, ethics seminars, and co
• We the People National Competition Champion — Center for Civic Education: Congressional hearings simulation. Test constitutional knowledge. National finals in DC.
• FEMA Youth Preparedness Council — FEMA: National council advising FEMA on youth preparedness.
• We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution — Center for Civic Education: A nationwide high school competition on the U.S. Constitution, civil liberties, and democratic principles through simulated congressional hearings.
• The Concord Review (Publication) — The Concord Review: Publish your high school history research in a prestigious peer-reviewed journal. Enhance writing skills, boost college applications, and gain recogni
• JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest — JFK Library: Essay contest on political courage. $10k first prize. Winners invited to Boston.
• Boren Scholarship — National Security Education Program: Unlock free study-abroad scholarships to master languages and cultures while boosting college applications. Perfect for high school seniors passionate
• Lead America Congressional Student Leadership Conference — Lead America: Student leadership conference in Washington DC exploring government, law, and public policy with interactive simulations.
• North American Invitational Model United Nations (NAIMUN) — Georgetown International Relations Association: Develop diplomacy, debate, and leadership skills at NAIMUN, a premier high school Model UN competition with hands-on international relations experienc
• The Concord Review Published Author — The Concord Review: The only quarterly journal in the world to publish academic history papers by high school students. Publication is extremely prestigious and valued by
• YMCA Youth Governors Conference — YMCA: Develop leadership skills and gain hands-on government experience at this in-person state conference simulation for high schoolers. Boost your college
• Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study — U.S. Department of State: Transform your high school experience with a free year-long cultural exchange program. Build global skills, enhance college applications, and grow as
• National History Day Kenneth E. Behring National Contest Winner — National History Day: National winners in documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website categories. Over 500,000 students compete annually. Top prizes include colleg
• Youth City Council Program — Local Government: Serve on your city's youth council and advise local government on issues affecting young people. Develop civic leadership skills.
• Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society — NCSS: Join Rho Kappa, the leading honor society for high school social studies enthusiasts. Build leadership skills, enhance college applications, and celeb
• National Young Leaders Conference — Congressional Youth Leadership Council: Leadership conference focused on government and public service.
• CyberCorps Scholarship for Service — NSF / CISA: Full scholarship + stipend for cybersecurity studies in exchange for government service. Early pathway programs for high schoolers.
• We the Students Essay Contest — Bill of Rights Institute: Compete in a national essay contest exploring constitutional principles. Open to grades 9-12, this free competition builds writing skills and boosts c

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