15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Michigan
- Stephen Turban
- 6 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you are a high school student in Michigan, one of the most practical (and affordable) ways to spend your summer break is by joining a free program in the state that matches your interests. Whether you are thinking about science, medicine, technology, writing, agriculture, or public policy, these programs give you access to real learning environments without needing to pay high fees or travel far.
Many of the programs listed below are run by Michigan universities, labs, and organizations. Some take place on campus, where you might stay in dorms, attend workshops, or work on guided research. Others are held online or in hybrid formats, which let you join from home. You may work with faculty, learn through hands-on tasks, or attend sessions that show you what careers in the field look like. Some even include college prep or mentoring.
Free programs in Michigan are often competitive and well-organized, and they give you a chance to explore your interests directly and affordably. You do not need to worry about program costs, housing fees, or tuition. You just need to apply and be ready to learn.
With that, here are 15 free summer programs for high school students in Michigan!
15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in MichiganÂ
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall, demonstrating a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit that offers one-on-one research opportunities to high school students from low-income backgrounds. It is an extension of the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, which is known for giving students access to individual research with expert mentors. The foundation provides the same research experience, but free of cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!Â
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI offers you a structured way to learn artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science in high school. If you're just starting, the AI Scholars Program takes you through 10 live sessions covering neural networks, natural language processing, and how AI works in real life. You'll work on projects and build practical skills along the way.
If you already have experience or want to go further, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase pairs you one-on-one with a mentor from a top university. You’ll complete a research project and get support from an editorial team if you want to publish in a high school research journal.
Location: Northern Michigan University, Marquette
Dates: Virtual sessions: June 15–July 10; In-person camp: July 13–18
Application deadline: May 22
Eligibility: Open to students entering 9th, 10th, and 11th grades
At Northern Michigan University’s Cyber Defenders Camp, you get an introduction to cybersecurity through a mix of online and in-person learning. In June, you’ll start with live and self-paced virtual sessions to build your basics. In July, you’ll spend a week on campus at the Seaborg Mathematics and Science Center, where you’ll take part in hands-on labs on ethical hacking, basic programming, IoT security, and cybersecurity careers. Evenings include organized recreation and social time. After the in-person week, you’ll finish up with more online activities to apply what you’ve learned.
Location: Virtual
Dates: Varies by course
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 8–12
EdReady English is a free online platform for Michigan students in grades 8 to 12 to build stronger English skills. You start with a diagnostic test, and the platform then gives you a custom study plan. You’ll work through over 400 topics, including how to find main ideas, spot bias, write thesis statements, and proofread. You can use it on your own or as part of a school class. You move at your own pace, so it works well no matter how you like to learn. It also helps you practice skills like analyzing arguments and using sources, useful in other subjects, too.
Location: Michigan State University
Dates: July 20–26
Application deadline: Early December - early March
Eligibility: Open to U.S. students who are currently at the high school level
The Physics of Atomic Nuclei program at Michigan State University is a free, one-week summer opportunity for high school students in Michigan to study nuclear science. You’ll join lab-based experiments, attend lectures from researchers at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), and work on a small research project using what you’ve learned.Â
Past projects have included modeling nuclear reactions, making 3D nuclide charts, and simulating atomic fragmentation. You’ll stay in campus dorms and explore college life while learning alongside students from other states. Topics may include radiation detection, antimatter, and the precision tools used in modern nuclear physics.
Location: Michigan State University
Dates: July 20–25
Application deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Open to high school students in 9th through 11th grades
The AIMS program gives you a full week on campus to explore careers in agriculture, food science, and natural resources. You’ll join hands-on workshops, tour university facilities, and take part in group activities focused on topics like agribusiness, environmental science, agricultural engineering, and resource management. You’ll also attend sessions on cultural awareness and leadership, while staying in university dorms and eating in campus dining halls.
Location: Michigan State University
Dates: July 9–11
Application deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Open to students in high school
The Quantum Motor City Summer Camp at Michigan State University gives you a three-day introduction to quantum computing. You’ll explore how quantum systems work differently from classical ones by combining ideas from computer science, physics, and math. You’ll visit active quantum labs, learn to code on IBM quantum computers, and see how this technology applies to areas like cryptography, materials science, and data security. The camp is run by MSU’s Center for Quantum Computing, Science, and Engineering.
Location: University of Michigan
Dates: June 16–July 25
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Open to rising seniors who are at least 16 years old. Preference is given to students from socio-economically disadvantaged communities.
The Aspirnaut Program at the University of Michigan is a six-week summer research internship for high school students from under-resourced areas in Michigan. If you’re selected, you’ll work in a university lab in Ann Arbor alongside researchers on real projects in the life sciences. You’ll join a research team, run experiments, analyze data, and give a final presentation on your work. You’ll live in campus housing, get meals, and take part in community events.
Location: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Open to rising seniors at least 16 years of age
Wayne State’s Discovery to Cure Internship gives you the chance to spend eight weeks in a university lab doing research in fields like reproductive biology, immunology, oncology, and precision medicine. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor or research assistant at the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, where you’ll help with real lab work and ongoing research projects. You’ll spend about 40 hours a week on-site and attend weekly seminars to build your understanding of biomedical science. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work to faculty and peers, giving you experience in communication and scientific analysis.
Location: Michigan State University
Dates: July 6–August 1
Application deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Open to high school students currently in 10th and 11th grades with a strong interest and aptitude in math, science, and other academic areas.
Michigan State University’s Multicultural Apprenticeship Program is a residential summer program that introduces you to careers in agriculture, food, environmental, and natural resource sciences. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and assist with lab or field research using real tools and techniques. Outside the lab, you’ll join field trips, cultural events, and leadership sessions that support both academic and personal growth. You’ll live in campus housing, eat in dining halls, and connect with other students and faculty.
Location: Eastern Michigan University
Dates: June 23 - July 14
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Open to all area high school students who have completed at least one science class
At Eastern Michigan University’s High School Summer Science Program, you’ll join a small team and work on a real science research project with help from a faculty mentor and an undergraduate assistant. The program focuses on biology, chemistry, or physics. You’ll go through the full research process, from designing experiments to collecting data and presenting your results. You’ll also practice scientific communication by giving a formal presentation of your work. You will learn how to use scientific methods in a team setting while helping answer a real research question.
Location: NASA centers or virtual
Dates: Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May); Summer: 10 weeks (late May – August); Fall: 16 weeks (late August – mid-December)
Application deadline: Fall: May 16; Spring:Â September 12; Summer: February 27
Eligibility:Â Full-time high school students over 16 years of age with a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale who are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships where you can take part in real projects that support NASA’s work in science, engineering, and technology. These internships are open year-round and happen at NASA centers across the country, with some options available in virtual or hybrid formats. If selected, you might work on projects in areas like aerospace research, robotics, environmental systems, or data analysis, depending on your mentor and placement. You will work directly with NASA scientists and engineers while building practical skills you can use beyond school.
Location: Virtual
Dates: June 24–August 21
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors who are at least 15 years old, have a minimum GPA of 2.8, and are U.S. citizens
The ASPIRE program lets you, as a high school junior or senior, work on real STEM projects with guidance from professionals at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. You will be matched with a mentor based on your interests, whether that is aerospace, cybersecurity, AI, lab work, or science communication. Your project will reflect what professionals in those fields actually do. You will be expected to work on your own, meet regularly with your mentor, and build both technical and communication skills. Depending on your track, your final project might be a software prototype, research report, experimental design, or an outreach campaign.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: June 16–July 24
Application deadline: February 7–March 3
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors (ages 16–18)
This six-week summer program at UCLA is designed for high school students from underrepresented communities who want to learn about neuroscience, with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. You will attend structured sessions three days a week, including seminars, clinical case presentations, research discussions, and literature reviews led by faculty and medical professionals.
Along with learning core neuroscience topics, you will explore how cultural and health disparities affect diagnosis, treatment, and care access. You will also work on a small research project with a mentor, building skills in reading scientific papers, analyzing data, and presenting your findings. The program includes guidance on preparing for college and future STEM studies.
Location: Virtual
Dates: July 7–25
Application deadline: UnspecifiedÂ
Eligibility: Open to high school students in 9th to 11th grade at the time of application. (Preference will be given to rising seniors and students from under-resourced backgrounds; students of any gender can apply.)
SPINWIP is a free three-week virtual summer program from Stanford University for high school girls who are first-generation college-bound or from underrepresented backgrounds in physics. You will study topics like astrophysics, quantum mechanics, and dark matter through live lectures, coding practice, and group projects. You will learn Python, use physics models, and explore how to study real-world phenomena using scientific tools and reasoning. The program also includes college prep, career exploration sessions, and small group mentoring from Stanford undergraduates.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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