Alpha Scholars Summer Academic Research & Writing Program

Alpha Scholars is a rigorous social science research program that teaches college-level research, writing and presentation skills to high school students in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students work one-on-one with Harvard undergraduate mentors in advanced study and research of a topic related to their chosen SDG, culminating in a 12-page research paper and 15-minute presentation.

Final papers are reviewed by the Harvard International Relations Council and the Harvard International Review, with top papers published online.

Through our 10-step, scaffolded program, students master academic research and writing. Live lectures, interactive workshops, recorded seminars, and one-on-one mentoring provide the tools and guidance they need to succeed.

Each week, students tackle a key stage of the process, creating deliverables that build toward their final paper—presented and defended at our convention.

Alpha Scholars attracts exceptional students from around the world, including the U.S., Brazil, Peru, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Tanzania, Nigeria, India, the U.A.E., Poland, and the United Kingdom.

After exploring the UN Sustainable Development Goals, students choose a topic they care deeply about and spend 14 weeks bringing it to life through original research and writing. By the end, they not only produce a polished academic paper but also gain the confidence to present and defend it at a high level.