9 Business Research Programs for High School Students
MD: This guide lists 9 business research programs for high school students.
If you’re thinking about studying business in high school or college, doing research in business is a great way to get started early. If this is something you’re interested in, there are a few ways you can go about it.
One way (and one of the most popular ones) is to apply to a research program structured for high school students. These programs are typically hosted by universities and independent organizations, and let you explore business problems from an academic viewpoint. You might conduct research to help companies launch new products, draw a connection between how advertising affects sales, or how businesses can use data to make better decisions.
Most of the research programs in the list below run in the summer, which means you can join without missing schoolwork. As a participant, you’ll learn how to collect and analyze data, write research papers, and present your ideas in a clear and structured format. Applying to the best business research programs (such as the ones below) also make for great additions to your resume and college applications. When you apply targeting a business major, college admissions officers will see that you already have experience doing research in business at an advanced level, it shows you’re motivated and ready to learn more.
To help you find the right fit, here is a list of 9 business research programs for high school students!
9 Business Research Programs for High School Students:
Location: Virtual + Various NASA centers across the country
Program dates: Varies depending on the internship availability
Application Deadline: Rolling. Applications are open in February & September each year (tentatively)
Cost: None. Pays a stipend.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and have a cumulative GPA of 2.9 or higher on a 4.0 scale. More info here.
‘Business’ may not be the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of NASA, but the Pathways Internship Program helps high school students gain real-world experience in business, among other subjects. You'll work with experts on research-focused projects, contributing to new technologies and solutions, and research will be an intrinsic aspect of that. In business, a few of the categories available to explore are ‘Human Resources’, ‘Administration and Program Management & Analysis’, ‘Accounting & Budget’, and ‘Communication & Public Relations.
Business Research for Innovation, Design, Growth, and Entrepreneurship (BRIDGE) @UCSD
Location: Virtual
Cost: $ 2,500
Application Deadline: First-come first first-served basis
Program Dates: July 7 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students (9th- 12th)
BRIDGE (Business Research for Innovation, Design, Growth, and Entrepreneurship) teaches you business skills through Zoom talks, real company stories, and step-by-step business practices from top universities.
You learn how new businesses start, how they raise money, and how they grow over time. Through business simulations, you take on the role of a founder, make decisions, work with a team, and deal with real challenges. You also study companies that began with simple ideas and grew into larger businesses by getting support from investors.
Ladder Internships - Business Track
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective research internship program for ambitious high school students! You’ll intern with companies in industries like business, finance and consulting. These start-ups are raising over a million dollars, so you'll be working with fast-growing companies.
During the internship, you’ll work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach on research-based projects across various industries. At the end, you'll present your work to the company. It’s a good way to get experience, learn from professionals, and contribute to a start-up. You can check out all the options and apply through the application form.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: $2900. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The deadline for the summer cohort is May 11!
Program Dates: Individual Program: June 2; Group Program Summer 1: June 9-29; Group Program Summer 2: August 4-24.
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp created by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you’ll focus on conducting market research, building a start-up that tackles a real-world problem, and gaining practical experience in entrepreneurship. You’ll also get the chance to be mentored by professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X, offering practical insights from people who have successfully built businesses.
Beyond creating your start-up, you’ll participate in interactive classes covering business fundamentals, like research, idea generation, and strategy. You’ll also join workshops and skill-building sessions, dive into case studies, and take part in panel discussions with experienced entrepreneurs. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
Ladders for Leaders Summer Internship Program
Location: New York City
Cost: Fully funded, stipend offered
Program Dates: Usually take place in the summer (specific dates will vary by internship)
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–24 who are residents of one of New York City's five boroughs.
Ladders for Leaders offers paid internships to high school and college students in New York City with top companies, non-profits, and government agencies. The program includes 30 hours of training to help students learn important skills like writing resumes and cover letters, and preparing for interviews. After the training, students get hands-on experience in industries that match their interests. Therefore, if you have to get into a research-intensive role, it’s more than possible. They also join an alumni network with more opportunities and exclusive networking events after the internship.
Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
Location: UC Berkeley, CA
Cost: California Resident - $6,292 | Out of State Resident - $7,332 (Application fee: $80)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February
Dates: Session I: July 5 – July 19; Session II: July 19- August 2
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
B-BAY brings together 50 students from around the world each year to learn about business at UC Berkeley. Taught by Berkeley Haas professors and guest speakers, the program covers the basics of starting and growing a business. You’ll do research, computer assignments, and team projects.
With your team, you’ll create a full business plan and present it at the end of the session. B-BAY also helps you get ready for college by guiding you through writing a strong UC personal statement and college essay. At the end, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion from the UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth.
Location: In-person (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia) and virtual options available.
Cost: $7,899–$9,799, depending on the program. Financial aid is available.
Deadline: Varies by program. January 29 for most programs.
Dates: Various sessions, typically June–August
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
The Wharton Global Youth Programs (WGYP), offered by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, are summer programs designed for high school students to explore business. These programs are available both in-person and online.
You’ll study topics like finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, leadership, and technology. The program includes lectures, workshops, and case studies where you’ll work on real-world projects, such as analyzing market trends or developing startup strategies.
Two key programs are the Management and Technology Summer Institute (M&TSI), a three-week course where you collaborate to create a tech startup, and Leadership in the Business World (LBW), which focuses on leadership and business fundamentals.
EnergyMag – Virtual Internship in Energy Research & Analysis
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Half-time option: 2–8 weeks in summer (~20 hrs/week) | Quarter-time option: 1–9 months, year-round (~8 hrs/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; no information is available on the application closing date. Check the website for updated information.
Cost: Free to participate; unpaid internship
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with GPA above 3.25; at least one honors. Science or English class recommended
EnergyMag offers a virtual internship that blends research, writing, and industry analysis in the rapidly growing field of renewable energy storage. As a high school intern, you’ll work on a real-world project — researching a company, a market trend, or a specific energy technology from a business standpoint.
The work involves business-oriented research, stakeholder outreach, and professional report writing, all done under the guidance of a dedicated mentor. You’ll learn how to synthesize information from diverse sources and develop insights that can be published on EnergyMag’s site. While the internship is unpaid, if you produce a publishable report, you will receive a letter of accomplishment summarizing your contribution and performance.
Stevens Institute of Technology Organizational Leadership 6-Week Virtual Summer Research Experience
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1500.00
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: July 7 – August 11
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors entering the fall academic year
The Stevens School of Business offers a six-week online summer program for high school students who want to explore the world of business through real experiences and expert guidance. You’ll explore core topics like organizational leadership, corporate strategy, business ethics, and strategic communication, while developing practical skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, team collaboration, and professional presentation.
Working closely with mentors, you’ll analyze case studies, take part in group discussions, and complete real-world assignments that show how business concepts apply in everyday situations. The program focuses on building both your knowledge and your confidence as a future leader.