Public Policy Programs & Competitions for High School Students

Policy programs — legislative simulations, think-tank fellowships, and civic-leadership institutes — are where future public-sector careers start showing up on applications.

The strongest entries pair a program with real civic output: a passed student-government initiative, a published policy memo, or testimony at a local hearing.

34 verified programs match this page; 19 of the featured listings are completely free; 5 can be done online.

Featured programs

Browse 30+ curated programs for high school students:

• Federal Reserve Bank Economic Essay Contest — Federal Reserve: Economic essay competitions hosted by regional Federal Reserve Banks.
• Environmental Science & Policy Scholars Program (Duke) — Duke University: Summer program exploring environmental science and policy with Duke faculty
• Economics for Leaders — Foundation for Teaching Economics: Transform your future with this selective summer program for grades 10-11, blending economics, leadership, and public speaking to boost skills and col
• 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
• 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
• Udall Scholarship — Udall Foundation: Earn a prestigious scholarship for excelling in environmental studies or Native American policy. Boost college applications and gain recognition for y
• CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp — CDC David J. Sencer Museum: Dive into public health and epidemiology at CDC headquarters with this free summer program. Gain hands-on experience, boost college applications, and
• Underline Space Roundtable — Space Minds Center: The Space Minds Center was created to inspire interest and proactive thinking about space policy in emerging political science and international relat
• 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
• Princeton Model United Nations Conference (PMUNC) — Princeton International Relations Council: Join a selective Model UN competition for high schoolers (Grades 9-12) to build public speaking, policy, and leadership skills—perfect for college app
• Princeton Model Congress — Princeton Model Congress: Four-day simulation where students draft and debate legislation in committee.
• Institute for Speech and Debate Summer Programs — Institute for Speech and Debate: Top-tier debate institute with programs across the country. Coaches include former national champions. Pathway to competitive debate success.
• U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP) — The Hearst Foundations: Fully funded, weeklong Washington Week for two students per state plus a $10,000 scholarship.
• U.S. Senate Page Program — United States Senate: Gain hands-on government experience through this prestigious in-person program in DC. Build leadership skills, boost college applications, and explore
• Global Youth Economics Congress — Youth Economics Initiative: International congress for young economists presenting research. Networking with peers globally. Demonstrates economics research and international col
• Yale Model Congress (YMC) — Yale Model Congress: Join a selective government competition in Washington, DC, fostering debate, leadership, and policy-making skills. Perfect for college applications an
• Yale Model Government — Yale University: Join a competitive high school government simulation to enhance debate, policy, and leadership skills. Perfect for college prep and hands-on civic exp
• Harvard Model Congress — Harvard University: Transform your leadership and debate skills at Harvard Model Congress, the premier high school government competition. Build your resume and stand out
• Mikva Challenge Summer Fellows — Mikva Challenge: Gain hands-on experience in government and civic leadership with this paid summer internship for grades 10-12. Build skills and strengthen your colleg
• International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) Debate — The Brewer Foundation & New York University: Compete in a global public policy debate for high schoolers, blending research, writing, and speaking skills. Win $25,000 and boost college applicatio
• Yale Model United Nations (YMUN) — Yale International Relations Association: Develop leadership, debate, and policy skills at Yale’s flagship Model UN conference. Perfect for high school students seeking hands-on experience and
• Penn Model Congress (PennMC) — University of Pennsylvania International Affairs Association: Explore Penn Model Congress, a free in-person leadership program for high schoolers to debate policy, build negotiation skills, and boost college appl
• HPAIR Harvard College Conferences — Harvard College Project for Asian & International Relations: Join a prestigious global leadership conference connecting high schoolers with international leaders to explore public policy, global affairs, and boo
• 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
• American University Washington Semester for High School — American University: DC-based government and policy summer program at American University. Internships and coursework in the nation's capital.
• C-SPAN StudentCam — C-SPAN: Engage in a national documentary competition exploring public policy issues. Build media skills, boost college applications, and showcase your creativ
• High School Fed Challenge — Federal Reserve Bank of New York: Compete in a hybrid high school economics competition focused on monetary policy. Build research, finance, and presentation skills to boost college ap
• EPA Environmental Justice Youth Initiative — Environmental Protection Agency: Federal program engaging youth in environmental justice issues. Learn about policy, advocacy, and community organizing around environmental issues.
• Euro Challenge — W!se & Delegation of the European Union to the U.S.: Compete in a hybrid high school competition focused on the euro area economy and EU policy. Build global affairs skills, boost college applications, a
• Academic WorldQuest National Competition — World Affairs Councils of America: Flagship quiz-bowl on global affairs for high school teams with national finals in Washington, DC.

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