14 STEM Internships for High School Students in Michigan
STEM internships give high school students a chance to explore different career paths, develop practical skills, and receive mentorship from professionals in the field. You'll learn to use industry-standard tools, collaborate, and work through problems that don't have straightforward answers. That kind of experience helps you figure out whether a field is right for you before committing to a major, and it makes your college applications stand out with concrete skills.
What STEM internships are available for high school students in Michigan?
Michigan is a particularly good place to find STEM internships. The state has well-established hubs in mobility, electric vehicles, and life sciences, with opportunities to work on projects ranging from EV battery technology at Wayne State to advanced robotics and biomedical research. Many programs are supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and local industry partners. That level of institutional support makes Michigan's internships accessible and valuable.
We narrowed it down to the top 14 STEM internships for high school students in Michigan.
1. Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship
Location: University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute, Ann Arbor, MI
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 6–10 interns per cohort
Dates: June 14 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending high school in Michigan who are 16 years old by the program’s start
The Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program takes place over 6 weeks and provides high school students with practical research experience. As an intern, you will join research projects led by faculty scientists, learn about research methodology, and develop research skills. Your research will be based in Life Sciences, which will include subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, and Genetics, with the focus of your study being dependent on the lab that you are assigned to. At the end of the program, you will present your research work at a symposium. Selection is competitive and requires an excellent academic record, extracurricular activities, academic transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10% acceptance; cohort size between 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8–12 weeks, devoting 10–20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program for motivated high school students, in which you’ll be matched with a high-growth startup and work on real-world projects in fields such as tech, AI/ML, health tech, journalism, marketing, and consulting. You’ll work closely with your startup manager and a Ladder Coach, and present your work to the company at the end of the program. Along the way, you'll also receive one-on-one training in skills such as communication and time management, plus take part in group sessions with other interns. Many of the startups you'll work with have raised over $1 million and are led by founders with experience at companies such as Google, Facebook, and Microsoft.
3. American Chemical Society Project SEED
Location: Research placements in Midland and nearby research labs within Michigan
Stipend: $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 3–8 students per Michigan university/site
Dates: 8–10 weeks; generally starting in mid-June and ending in mid-August
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors; must have completed one high school chemistry course; family income should be less than or equal to 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
The American Chemical Society Project Seed Summer offers a research program for high school students to experience different pathways in chemistry. In the program, you will work alongside professional scientists on research projects in academic, industrial, and federal laboratories while learning about research methodology. You will also receive mentorship to explore multiple roles within chemistry and gain guidance on pursuing a chemistry-related academic pathway. This premier national program, with deep roots in Michigan, is designed specifically for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to engage in high-level chemistry research.
4. Biomedical Career Advancement Program
Location: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Stipend: Monetary award upon completion (based on funding)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 45–60 students per summer
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12
The Biomedical Career Advancement Program is a six-week research experience for students interested in research and health science-aligned career paths. You will work alongside faculty members to answer health science-related research questions. During the program, you'll go through lab-safety training and learn clinical training methods such as pipetting, microscopy, and gel electrophoresis. You’ll also enhance your professional skill sets by participating in professional development and networking activities. You will work alongside your research mentors on your own independent research project, which you'll get to present at the end of the program at a research symposium.
5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: All 50 U.S. states, including Wyoming, along with opportunities in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, and the Pacific Islands
Stipend: $3,000 stipend + all-expenses-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20–45 students
Dates: 8 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who will be 16 or older by the internship start date
Through this local mentorship, you will dive into the world of aquatic science, where you'll be paired with a professional within a short commute from home. This hands-on experience lets you tackle diverse projects ranging from habitat restoration and fish surveys to biodiversity research and toxicology. Your days will shift between the outdoors and the lab, giving you the chance to try everything from electrofishing and snorkeling to water-quality testing and data analysis. It is a practical way to explore environmental careers while directly contributing to the health and management of Michigan’s vital water ecosystems and native species.
6. MSU CANR – Multicultural Apprenticeship Program
Location: Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, East Lansing, MI
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~20 to 30 students
Dates: July 5 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Multicultural Apprenticeship Program is designed for students interested in exploring career paths in Agriculture, Food Sciences, Natural Resources, and aligned fields. During the program, you will work in many areas, including Agricultural Engineering, Forestry, Food Science, Animal Sciences, Horticulture, Environmental and Natural Resource Management, Veterinary, and more. You will gain practical research experience by getting paired with a faculty member to work on a research project. You will also get to work on your professional skills through leadership seminars, cultural activities, and field trips.
7. Wayne State University Summer High School Research Program
Location: Wayne State University campus, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: C2 Pipeline partner school students: None | Non-C2 students: $100 / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 15–20 students per research track
Dates: July 7 – July 31
Application Deadline: June 20
Eligibility: Rising 9–12 grade high school students
Wayne State University's College of Engineering offers a summer high school research program to give high school students practical research experience in the field of engineering. The program takes place over four weeks, where you will explore topics such as CAD/3D modeling, fuel cells, emerging energy technology, and more. You will build your technical skill sets by engaging in lab work, learn from current research, and exploring real-world applications of engineering technology. You will work on projects such as hydrogen fuel cells, prototype testing, battery design, and more. In the final week, you will present your research experience over the summer.
8. UM-Michigan Medicine BioMed Focus
Location: University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
Stipend: $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~10 to 15 students per summer
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: Typically, late January
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who attend one of the partner schools (Ypsilanti Community High School, Lincoln High School, or Belleville High School), live within commutable distance of Ann Arbor, MI, and taken some biology, chemistry, or math courses
BiomedFocus is a summer research program that takes place over eight weeks, where you will gain practical research experience in biomedicine and aligned fields. The program pairs you with a mentor to work on an independent research project. You will learn laboratory techniques, work on improving your scientific writing and presentation skills, and gain guidance on the college application process. At the end of the program, you will write a research paper based on your project and present a research talk during a symposium.
9. Henry Ford Health Department of Surgery High School Mentorship Program
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Stipend: $1,000 (Only for the 10 students selected for the summer internship)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; large academic year cohort, 10 students for the summer internship
Dates: Academic Year: September – June; Internship: June – August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Detroit-area high school students
In this program, you will engage in high-impact topics like surgical anatomy, minimally invasive techniques, and healthcare disparities while performing hands-on activities such as suturing, knot-tying, and even cadaveric dissections in the microanatomy lab. A unique feature of this experience is the tiered structure, which begins with Saturday simulation sessions and culminates in a paid summer internship for top-performing students. You will learn critical technical skills like manual dexterity and clinical reasoning, while also building the professional networking confidence needed to interact with world-class surgeons and medical students.
10. RYSE MED Program
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~15 to 25 students
Dates: June 29 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders in metro Detroit; minimum 2.5 GPA or more; U.S. work authorization
The RYSE MED (Readying Youth Scientists for Excellence in Medicine, Health Equity, and Discovery) program is a program for high school students interested in health equity, medicine, and research. During the six-week program, you'll have the opportunity to shadow various professionals in the healthcare industry, learn skills, and gain practical experience through simulations, virtual reality, clinical scenarios, and workshops. You'll also receive mentorship from researchers, administrators, and clinicians, along with guidance from current medical students. You'll have the opportunity to work on research by working on a group presentation where you'll talk about a health equity topic that affects your community.
11. MSU – Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)
Location: Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~24 to 25 students per year
Dates: July 26 – 31
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Current U.S. high school students
The Physics of Atomic Nuclei is a week-long program for high school students interested in subjects such as astrophysics and cosmology, and who want to explore the career pathway of becoming a scientist. During the program, you will explore fundamental concepts in atomic nuclei, astrophysics, and nuclear science through instruction and practical work. You'll gain insight into research in the field by participating in nuclear physics experiments. You will gain experience working alongside professional researchers, gain insight into various career paths in the field, and uncover scientific questions through your research work.
12. Discovery to Cure Program
Location: C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~15 to 25 students
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are 16 or older
In this eight-week program, you will explore biomedical research at the C.S. Mott Center, focusing on critical topics like reproductive health, oncology, and toxicology. You will work alongside professional scientists, performing tasks such as DNA analysis, cell culture maintenance, and advanced microscopy to investigate human development and disease. A unique feature of this internship is the one-on-one mentorship that treats you as a junior colleague rather than just a student. You will learn laboratory techniques while sharpening your ability to analyze complex data sets and communicate your findings. Ultimately, the program builds your professional confidence and prepares you for a competitive career in the medical sciences.
13. Michigan Tech Pathways Programs – Engineering Scholars Program
Location: Houghton, MI (Michigan Technological University Campus)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 150–200 students
Dates: June 21–26
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11
During this week-long immersion in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, you will explore engineering fields including mechanical, electrical, biomedical, and environmental engineering. You’ll construct earthquake-resistant structures, create artificial intelligence models, and conduct laboratory experiments in two specialized areas of your choice. By working in teams to tackle real-world group projects, you will develop critical technical skills, sharpen your problem-solving abilities, and master interpersonal communication. This program is designed to help you confidently navigate your future career path while discovering how engineers create a more sustainable world.
14. High School Summer Science Program
Location: Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 12–20 students
Dates: June 23 – July 14
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least one high school science class
The High School Summer Science Program offers high school students practical research experience in the field of biology, chemistry, and physics. During the three-week program, you will be paired with a faculty mentor to work on a research project. You will learn the process of scientific research, gather and record data, work in a lab, and generate new scientific knowledge. You will prepare a scientific presentation based on your research work and present it at the end of the program.
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