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    IRIS Economics Course

    by Indigo Research

    A mentor-led economics research course where students investigate policy and markets while producing a publication-ready academic paper.

    Last verified: 17 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
    IRIS Economics Course

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    IRIS Economics Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Recently closed

    Eligibility

    High school students; no experience required.

    Age range / Year group

    13-18; Grades 8-12

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    From $4,200

    Duration

    6 weeks

    Format

    Online research course

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Business & EconomicsResearch Methods

    Sessions / cadence: Two 3-hour classes weekly

    Mentor model: Faculty mentor plus PhD teaching assistant

    Assessment style: Drafts, peer review and final presentation

    Main output: Publication-ready economics research paper

    College credit: Two UCSB Extension credits available

    Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026

    Class size: Up to 13 students

    IRIS Economics Course summary

    IRIS Economics is a structured research course centred on contemporary policy debates, fiscal policy, regulation and market dynamics.

    Students move from background reading and question development through an abstract, bibliography, full draft and final academic paper.

    It particularly suits students who want substantial guided research experience and are ready for a fast-paced academic workload.

    What is IRIS Economics Course?

    The IRIS Economics Course is the economics track within Indigo Research's intensive research programme. Students examine contemporary policy debates and learn how fiscal policy, regulation and markets influence societies and everyday decisions.

    The course combines faculty-led online classes with a structured academic-research process. Students develop a question, organise evidence, workshop drafts and apply economic analysis to an individual paper on a current policy issue.

    Why Succeed highlights IRIS Economics Course

    • The Economics track connects economic theory to contemporary policy questions and real-world case studies.

    • A clear week-by-week structure takes students from introductory reading to a final paper and presentation.

    • Small online groups are supported by university faculty and a PhD teaching assistant.

    • Twice-weekly three-hour classes create substantial contact time for an online research programme.

    • Students can become eligible for transferable UCSB Extension credits and receive a completion certificate.

    Who is IRIS Economics Course for?

    Best for

    High school students who want guided economics research, sustained faculty contact and a substantial academic paper.

    Not ideal if

    You want a light introductory course, cannot attend two long weekly classes or do not want a demanding writing project.

    Is IRIS Economics Course worth it?

    It can be worthwhile for a motivated student who wants more than a survey of economics. The sequence of seminars, research milestones, feedback and final presentation provides a coherent way to test whether sustained policy research suits them.

    The limitation is the combination of substantial tuition and a fast pace. A polished paper can provide valuable evidence of academic interest, but students should choose the course for its learning and mentoring rather than assume publication, a recommendation letter or a particular admissions result.

    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    From $4,200; includes Twice-weekly faculty-led online classes, 30+ hours of lessons, Personalised PhD teaching-assistant support, Research-question and paper-development guidance, Writing workshops and peer review, Individual full-draft discussion, Final presentation support, Signed completion certificate, Eligibility for two UCSB Extension credits.

    Dates and time commitment

    6 weeks; Two 3-hour classes weekly.

    Provider details

    Review the Indigo Research provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: The main output is an individual, publication-ready economics research paper.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Each student develops an individual economics research paper. The process includes an abstract, annotated bibliography, draft workshops, feedback and a final version.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

    Compare this programme with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programmes

    How much preparation does IRIS Economics Course need?

    Effort level

    High.

    Best started

    Begin four to six weeks before a future cohort starts.

    Main challenge

    Narrowing a policy topic into a manageable research question and completing the paper at pace.

    Typical preparation

    • List two or three economic policy questions that genuinely interest you.

    • Practise reading one academic article and recording its argument, evidence and limitations.

    • Review citation basics and reserve regular independent writing time around the live classes.

    Useful if

    You already read about economics or public policy beyond school lessons.

    What do students do on IRIS Economics Course?

    Students follow a staged research process while studying how policy, regulation and markets shape economic outcomes. Each stage contributes to the final individual paper and presentation.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Complete orientation and introductory reading before the main course.

    2. 2

      Explore economics concepts, readings and contemporary policy debates with the instructor.

    3. 3

      Learn research foundations, including time management, note-taking and citation.

    4. 4

      Select a research question and develop an abstract and annotated bibliography.

    5. 5

      Draft the introduction and outline, then discuss the work individually with the instructor.

    6. 6

      Prepare a full draft, join writing workshops and review peers' work.

    7. 7

      Incorporate feedback, present the research and submit the final paper.

    IRIS Economics Course dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Summer 2026 course

    6 July-17 August 2026

    All Economics sessions followed this programme window.

    Reference date

    Winter cohort

    Not announced

    A future winter date has not been published.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Designed for high school students.

    • Grades 8-12 appear in the application form.

    • No prior research experience required.

    How much does IRIS Economics Course cost?

    Programme tuition

    From $4,200 — A payment plan is listed.

    Funding or discounts

    • Scholarships: Not offered

    What's included

    Twice-weekly faculty-led online classes, 30+ hours of lessons, Personalised PhD teaching-assistant support, Research-question and paper-development guidance, Writing workshops and peer review, Individual full-draft discussion, Final presentation support, Signed completion certificate, Eligibility for two UCSB Extension credits

    How to apply to IRIS Economics Course

    1. 1

      Open the application form on the official IRIS page.

    2. 2

      Select whether the applicant is a student or guardian and enter contact details.

    3. 3

      Provide the country of residence, phone number, school and high-school graduation year.

    4. 4

      Choose the Economics course and preferred session.

    5. 5

      Submit the form to request a place.

    6. 6

      Use the post-submission option to schedule an introductory call if helpful.

    Learning format

    The course is delivered entirely online in small groups, with two three-hour classes each week. Students join interactive sessions in a published time-zone schedule and complete reading, research and writing between the live meetings.

    The exact class days and local times depend on the selected Economics session.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Economics teaching is led by university faculty mentors.

    • A PhD teaching assistant provides personalised support.

    • Students discuss their paper outline individually with the instructor.

    • Writing workshops include structured peer review.

    • The full draft receives a one-to-one instructor discussion.

    • Final findings are presented to classmates for feedback.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Economics is offered through several session-time options.
    • Each session meets twice weekly for three hours.
    • The schedule publishes equivalent times from PDT to NZST.
    • Session days include Monday/Wednesday, Tuesday/Thursday and Thursday/Sunday patterns.
    • Some local schedules cross midnight or fall on the next day.

    Assessment style

    Progress is reviewed through staged research outputs, instructor feedback, peer review, a final paper and an oral presentation.

    • Develop a focused research question.
    • Submit an abstract and annotated bibliography.
    • Discuss the introduction and outline with the instructor.
    • Prepare a full draft for workshops and peer review.
    • Discuss the completed draft one-to-one.
    • Present and submit the final paper.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main output is an individual, publication-ready economics research paper.

    • Research question and project plan

    • Abstract and annotated bibliography

    • Full working draft

    • Final research presentation

    • Signed programme completion certificate

    IRIS Economics Course FAQs

    The course examines contemporary policy debates and the fundamentals of fiscal policy, regulation and market dynamics. Students apply economic theory and analysis to a current policy question.

    Classes run twice a week for three hours each. Several session patterns are published across international time zones.

    No. The structured programme guides students from introductory reading and question development through to the final paper.

    Each student develops an individual economics research paper. The process includes an abstract, annotated bibliography, draft workshops, feedback and a final version.

    Notify the course administrator and the programme can provide a recording, homework and other instructions. Students should also warn the professor in advance.

    The programme teaches the publication process and provides journal guidance. Publication is a pathway rather than a guaranteed result, and separate one-to-one publication support may cost extra.

    Students can become eligible for two transferable credits from the UCSB Extension School.

    Recommendation letters are not guaranteed. Mentors may choose to write one for students who complete their papers and engage strongly in the sessions.

    Alternatives to IRIS Economics Course

    Compare these economics and online research programmes if you want a different location, subject emphasis or study format.

    Alternatives to IRIS Economics Course

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Indigo Research Intensive Seasonal Program IRIS | Indigo Research
    • IRIS Summer Class Schedule 2026
    • Indigo Research | 6-Week Research Intensive for HS

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 17 Aug 2026)

    • Programme format checked

    • Economics curriculum reviewed

    • Summer dates verified

    • Session schedule checked

    • Tuition checked

    • Application form reviewed

    • Outcomes qualified

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.