13 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Michigan

If you are a high school student, summer programs can help you explore your interests outside the classroom. Whether you’re conducting research, experimenting with coding, or working on creative projects, these experiences help you develop problem-solving skills, collaborate with peers, and gain insight into professional fields. They can give you a clear idea of what you might want to study in college or pursue as a career.

Michigan offers a diverse range of opportunities for high schoolers through its universities, arts scene, and industries like engineering and automotive design. From research labs to community-driven projects, you’ll find programs here that let you learn from experts in fields the state is known for. To help you get started, we have put together 13 free summer programs for high school students in Michigan.

1. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) Program

Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 20–25
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Open to current U.S. high school students 

At PAN, you’ll spend a week immersed in nuclear science at Michigan State’s world-class Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). The program introduces you to nuclear physics, astrophysics, and cosmology through faculty-led lectures, lab experiments, and small-group research activities. You’ll have the opportunity to conduct your own nuclear experiments, interact with scientists working on cutting-edge projects, and explore how tiny atomic nuclei relate to vast cosmic questions. In addition to academic sessions, you’ll experience campus life (if needed) and participate in discussions about career paths in physics and related fields.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
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 start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

3. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)

Location: Cornell University, University of Maryland, and University of Michigan
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 160 students are enrolled each year nationwide
Dates: June 21 – July 25
Application Deadline: December 3
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors (rising juniors and seniors); students must be 15–17 years of age during the program; both U.S. and international students can  apply
TASS is a fully funded, 5-week residential program that offers an immersive experience into college-level humanities and social science seminars. Each weekday, you will participate in small, discussion-based classes led by faculty, exploring topics related to history, politics, literature, art, and the dynamics of power and privilege. Beyond academics, the program focuses on democratic community living, where you'll work with peers to make decisions, plan activities, and engage in practices of transformative justice. 

4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 12-week cohorts offered year-round (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: January (Spring), May (Summer), September (Fall), November (Winter)
Eligibility: High school students and incoming college freshmen with strong academic performance (minimum 3.3 GPA); open to all academic fields

This program gives you an opportunity to conduct independent research with guidance from a Ph.D. mentor, free of charge. Over 12 weeks, you’ll select a research topic in fields such as economics, computer science, psychology, physics, or international relations, and work toward producing a scholarly paper. The program is designed to support high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds, offering mentorship and resources comparable to the flagship Lumiere Research Scholar Program. By the end of the program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in the research process while enhancing your skills in critical thinking, writing, and analysis.

5. C.S. Mott Center Discovery to Cure Summer Research Program

Location: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 years of age

This 8-week research program allows you to work in a Wayne State University laboratory at the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development. Under the mentorship of faculty, postdoctoral, or research staff, you’ll participate in full-time lab work, typically around 40 hours per week. Research areas include reproductive biology, immunology, oncology, toxicology, and precision medicine. In addition to hands-on lab training, you’ll attend weekly research seminars and conclude the program with a formal presentation of your work at the Research Presentation Day.

6. Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers Program

Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants also receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified (selective)
Dates: July 6 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Michigan residents currently in 11th grade; U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents only

This 4-week residential program is designed to introduce high school students to the field of nuclear engineering. Hosted by the Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences (NERS) department at the University of Michigan in partnership with Detroit Second Chance/Charles Harper Charities, the program combines academic preparation with career exploration. You’ll live on campus in Bursley Hall, attend classes and workshops on nuclear science, and gain exposure to university-level research and engineering career pathways. The experience aims to prepare you for successful entry into a nuclear engineering program while providing you with a firsthand experience of college life.

7. ANR Institute for Multicultural Students (AIMS)

Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free (students cover transportation to/from campus)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified (competitive, based on interest and academic performance)
Dates: July 20–25
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11; U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents

AIMS is a week-long residential program that introduces high school students to diverse career opportunities in agriculture, food sciences, and natural resources. During your stay on the MSU campus, you’ll live in residence halls, participate in lab demonstrations, tours, and workshops, and explore fields ranging from environmental management to agribusiness. The program also offers cultural and social activities, providing you with a well-rounded introduction to college life while broadening your understanding of science, math, and business opportunities connected to agriculture and the environment.

8. Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program

Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided, which includes housing and meals
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: Applications for the upcoming cohort open in late Fall
Eligibility: High school students from rural or socioeconomically disadvantaged communities in Michigan
This 6-week residential program immerses high school students in the life sciences through mentored, hands-on research at the University of Michigan. You’ll join a lab team, design and conduct your own project, and present your findings at the end of the program. In addition to lab work, you’ll participate in professional development, college preparation, and cultural activities, while living on campus in Ann Arbor. The program covers housing, meals, and provides a stipend, ensuring students from under-resourced communities can fully focus on building research skills and preparing for future academic opportunities.

9. RYSE MED (Readying Youth Scientists for Excellence in Medicine, Health Equity and Discovery)

Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29 – August 8
Application Deadline: Applications for the current year are closed; the upcoming cycle opens in February
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders who are first-time participants only attending Metro Detroit high schools

RYSE MED is a year-long program that begins with a 6-week summer immersion at Henry Ford Hospital. During the summer, you’ll shadow physicians, researchers, nurses, and other health professionals while participating in hands-on clinical simulations, workshops, and health equity research projects. You’ll collaborate with peers on a group project and present your findings to healthcare professionals and community members. After the summer program, you’ll stay engaged through monthly mentorship, academic enrichment, and career-building activities. Offering tracks in research, college access, and allied health, RYSE MED provides ongoing support as you explore careers in medicine, research, and healthcare.

10. Quantum Motor City Summer Camp

Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 9 – 11
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: High school students from the Metro Detroit area

Quantum Motor City is a 3-day summer camp that introduces high school students to quantum computing and its applications in science and technology. You’ll gain experience programming IBM quantum computers, attend lectures from MSU faculty and IBM scientists, and tour active research labs such as the Laboratory for Hybrid Quantum Systems. The camp also features workshops on preparing for college, career guidance, and networking with graduate students and researchers in the field. Participants live in MSU residence halls, experience campus life, and develop a strong foundation in physics, mathematics, and computer science through the lens of quantum computing.

11. 826michigan Teen Leadership Lab

Location: Ypsilanti District Library, Ypsilanti, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-enrollment, space-limited
Dates: July 8 – August 12
Application Deadline: Not specified (rolling until filled)
Eligibility: Students who have just completed grades 9–12

The Teen Leadership Lab at 826michigan is a summer program where high school students enhance their writing skills while mentoring younger peers in grades 2–8. Each week, you’ll help children brainstorm, draft, and revise their work, while participating in structured debrief sessions to reflect your own growth. In addition to mentorship, you’ll take part in professional development, practice peer review, and work toward publishing your own writing. This program combines leadership training with creative expression and provides a stipend for your contributions.

12. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; nationwide and international cohorts
Program Dates: Round 1: June 16–30 (U.S. only); Round 2: July 19–21 (Both U.S. & International); Round 3: July 31–August 11 (Both U.S. & International)
Application Deadline: Early: February 17; General: March 29
Eligibility: Open to girls and non-binary students; U.S. students must be current freshmen, sophomores, or juniors; international applicants must be 14–18 years old

This 2-week virtual program introduces you to computer science through hands-on coding projects, ranging from building websites with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to experimenting with game design frameworks. You’ll also participate in career panels and mentorship sessions with women working in tech, gaining insight into careers in software engineering, web development, and design. Sponsored by major companies such as  MetLife and Bank of America, the program provides an opportunity to collaborate with peers worldwide while enhancing your technical and problem-solving skills in a supportive, community-focused environment.

13. Kode With Klossy Camps

Location: Multiple cities (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, LA, NYC, Seattle, and more) + remote options also available
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 15–20 students per camp
Dates: June 2–13; July 7–18; July 21–August 1; August 4–15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Young women, gender nonconforming, and trans students aged  13–18 years

Kode With Klossy offers free 2-week coding camps where you can explore web development, mobile app design, machine learning, or data science. Each track combines technical skill-building with hands-on projects, from programming with JavaScript and HTML to creating iOS apps with SwiftUI. The program emphasizes both problem-solving and creativity, allowing you the opportunity to design real-world applications while collaborating with peers. Throughout the camp, you’ll learn from mentors, build projects that you can showcase, and connect with a large alumni community of students passionate about technology and innovation.

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