If you’re a high school student in Michigan, you’re in luck! The state offers a variety of research programs across different fields, providing solid opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills. Whether you’re interested in science, technology, or social studies, there’s a program for you to explore.
In this blog, we’ll highlight 12 research programs for high school students in Michigan. These programs cover various subjects, allowing you to work on real-world projects and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Participating in these programs will help you develop essential skills such as analytical thinking, research methods, and proficiency in tools such as lab equipment or coding languages.
12 Research Programs for High School Students in Michigan
1. Wayne State University’s Discovery To Cure Program
Subject Areas: Biology, medicine
Location: C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Detroit, MI
Cost: Fully funded (does not provide housing or transportation)
Application Deadline: April 5 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: June 24 – August 16 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (at least 16 years old) and undergraduate students from Wayne State University or any other college/university.
Wayne State University’s Discovery to Cure program offers an eight-week research experience where you will work on a personalized project. You’ll create hypotheses, design experiments, and analyze data in areas like reproductive biology, immunology, oncology, and more.
You will spend about 40 hours a week in the lab, working alongside researchers, including principal investigators and postdoctoral fellows. Weekly seminars will help you understand the research process, and the program ends with a Research Presentation Day, where you will present your findings in a 10-minute oral presentation.
2. University of Michigan Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship
Subject Areas: STEM
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded, participants receive housing, meals, lab materials, and a stipend distributed in three payments during the program.
Application Deadline: February 16
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Eligibility: Michigan high school juniors can apply.
The Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program is a six-week program for high school students from under-resourced communities to explore basic science research. You will join a life sciences lab, contribute to ongoing projects, and collect data as part of your role.
The program includes sharing your work through a presentation to peers and mentors at the end. Each year, 8–10 students are selected to participate. Alongside lab work, you will join social and professional events with students in other University of Michigan summer programs.
3. University of Michigan’s Summer High School Apprentice Researchers Program (SHARP)
Subject Areas: STEM
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants receive a $2,800 stipend.
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: Six weeks during the summer; dates TBA
Eligibility: Open to current 11th-grade students who are Michigan residents.
The Summer High School Apprentice Researchers Program (SHARP) gives high school juniors the chance to explore research in engineering and science. You’ll work on a research project guided by University of Michigan faculty and graduate students. Past projects have included advanced materials like ceramics, designing autonomous drones, studying nanostructures, and exploring optical components.
Your day will combine lab research with activities that introduce you to campus life and academic opportunities. These include campus tours, workshops, and discussions with undergraduate students. The program is designed to provide research experience while giving you a glimpse of university life.
4. Michigan State University Multicultural Apprenticeship Program
Subject Areas: Agriculture, natural resources.
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
Cost/Stipend: Free, though transportation to and from MSU is the student’s responsibility; participants receive a weekly stipend.
Application Deadline: April 18
Dates: July 6 – August 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors can apply!
The Multicultural Apprenticeship Program at Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources offers high school students the chance to explore research in agriculture and natural resources. You’ll work on a research project guided by faculty, designed to match your interests. Your schedule will include lab techniques, fieldwork, and using technical equipment to support your project.
In addition to research, the program features leadership workshops, educational seminars, and field trips that highlight the agricultural and natural resources industries. You’ll also connect with peers, faculty, and industry professionals, gaining practical insight into research and its real-world applications.
5. Wayne State University’s Biomedical Career Advancement Program (BCAP)
Subject Areas: Biomedical sciences
Location: Southeast Regional Centre, Detroit, MI.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students earn a monetary reward at the end of the program.
Application Deadline: Typically closes in April.
Dates: June 24 – August 2 (tentative, based on the 2024 program).
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 10, 11, or 12; priority consideration is given to residents of Wayne County, students attending Detroit Public School, and individuals from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Biomedical Career Advancement Program is a summer research initiative for students interested in health sciences and research careers. You will work with senior research and clinical faculty on investigative research projects.
The program also allows you to connect with peers who share similar interests and receive guidance from healthcare professionals. You’ll gain insight into various career paths in the medical field, helping you explore opportunities in health sciences.
6. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) by JINA-CEE
Subject Areas: Physics
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
Cost: Fully funded.
Application Deadline: Applications will close in early March.
Dates: July 20–25
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens.
The Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) program introduces high school students to nuclear physics and its connections to astrophysics and cosmology. Sponsored by a U.S. Department of Energy research facility, the program explores topics like atomic nuclei, rare isotopes, and their role in the universe’s evolution.
In this week-long program, you will take part in nuclear physics experiments guided by researchers. Topics include stellar nucleosynthesis, the life cycles of stars, and applications of nuclear science in technology. The program also features lectures and collaborative projects, providing a closer look at physics and related career paths.
7. University of Michigan Math and Science Scholars
Subject Areas: Mathematics, science, technology.
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Cost: $1300 (tuition) + $1100 (residential stay) + $100 (nonrefundable application fee).
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: Session 1: June 22-July 4 | Session 2: July 6-July 18 | Session 3: July 20-August 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply. Seniors cannot have graduated before the program begins.
The Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS) program allows high school students to explore university-level science curricula and recent developments in various fields. Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors worldwide, the program offers three 2-week sessions, allowing students to attend one or more.
In this program, you’ll join small classes of about 15 students, taught by University of Michigan faculty. Each session focuses on a single subject, with hands-on work in research and computer labs, fieldwork, and collaborative projects with classmates and professors. The program provides exposure to scientific fields and research, helping you explore potential career paths in math and science.
8. Michigan State University OsteoCHAMPS
Subject Areas: Medicine
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
Cost: $1000 tuition + $25 application fee.
Application Deadline: March 10
Dates: June 14 - 21
Eligibility: Must be high school sophomores or juniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0, demonstrate an interest in the healthcare field through application essays, provide a letter of recommendation, and complete the application.
The OsteoCHAMPS program at Michigan State University is an eight-day residential experience for high school students interested in healthcare. You’ll study anatomy, biochemistry, and medical research, completing a research project to apply what you’ve learned.
The program also includes hands-on clinical skills training and osteopathic manipulative medicine practice. Beyond academics, activities like ice skating and athletic events are part of the experience. You’ll connect with MSU resources, including the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the MSU PA Medicine Program, gaining insights from students and faculty about the healthcare field.
9. Northern Michigan University’s Environmental Science Camp
Subject Areas: Environmental science
Location: Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI.
Cost: $699 — $799
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: TBA
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply.
The Michigan State University Environmental Science Camp offers high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors a chance to explore Michigan’s Upper Peninsula while learning about environmental science and sustainability. You’ll discover how scientists use technology and fieldwork to address challenges like those in the Lake Superior watershed.
Past activities have included hiking geological landmarks, studying local natural resources, and paddling the AuTrain River. You’ll also explore how changes in the watershed affect surrounding ecosystems and learn about sustainable community development. While staying on campus, you’ll work with professors and students from Northern Michigan University, gaining hands-on experience in environmental research.
10. Michigan Tech University’s Women in Engineering Pathway Program
Subject Areas: Engineering
Location: Michigan Technological University
Cost: $425
Application Deadline: Reviewed on a rolling basis.
Dates: June 15-20
Eligibility: Students from grades 9 – 11 can apply.
The Women in Engineering (WIE) program introduces high school students to careers in engineering and science through hands-on activities and group projects. You’ll join peers from across the country and internationally to explore engineering topics like Mechanical, Civil, Environmental, Chemical, Robotics, and Aerospace Engineering.
During the week, you’ll focus on two engineering fields of your choice through project-based learning and gain insights from industry role models. The program also includes team competitions, outdoor activities in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, and opportunities to develop interpersonal skills while working on group projects.
11. Summer Entrepreneurship Institute at the University of Michigan
Subject Areas: Entrepreneurship, business
Location: University of Michigan–Flint campus, MI.
Cost: $50. Need-based scholarships and scholarships for students with family ties to UM-Flint are available.
Application Deadline: April 30
Dates: June 17 – 19
Eligibility: High school students who will be juniors or seniors are eligible.
The Summer Entrepreneurship Institute (SEI) at the University of Michigan-Flint’s Hagerman Center introduces high school students to business and entrepreneurship. You’ll learn about the entrepreneurial process, from developing ideas to creating business plans.
The program includes workshops, lectures, and group projects, where you’ll collaborate with faculty and entrepreneurs. SEI helps you build practical skills and gain insights into starting and managing a business, providing a solid foundation in entrepreneurship.
12. MyHealth Research Training Program
Subject Areas: Health sciences.
Location: Virtual.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students earn a stipend of $10 per hour.
Application Deadline: May 16
Dates: Session 1: July 28 — August 1 | Session 2: August 4 — August 8
Eligibility: Current high school students in Southeast Michigan or recent graduates who are 14 years old or older can apply.
MYHealth offers high school students in Southeast Michigan the opportunity to engage in health research alongside professionals and researchers. The program features interactive virtual sessions led by health experts from the University of Michigan and other leading institutions.
You’ll receive training in health research and can participate in the Summer Launch program to get started. After your first year, you can continue with the program as an Impact Projects participant or return as a Peer Leader to mentor new students.
Bonus-
If you’re based in Michigan and looking for remote opportunities, we’ve got you covered!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Spring 2025: February 16, 2025; Summer 2025: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
Program Dates: Spring 2025: March 3, 2025; Summer 2025: June 16, 2025! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students, covering topics like data science, machine learning, psychology, and political theory. You can choose to focus on either quantitative or qualitative research, based on your interests.
Once you select a subject area, you will be paired with a professor or PhD scholar who will guide you through the research process. The program concludes with a 20-page research paper, which you can submit to academic journals for consideration. You will also receive a letter of recommendation and feedback to support your academic growth and research skills.
Subject Areas: Environmental health and engineering, behavioral economics, psychology, international relations, neuroscience, data science, machine learning, network science, biophysics, biotechnology, chemistry, physics, history, philosophy, political theory, sociology, and more!
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary — biology, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, gender studies, engineering, chemistry, business, entrepreneurship, international relations, environmental science, and more!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Spring Cohort application deadline is February 9, 2025!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school, demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4), and no previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research opportunity for high school students, offering one-on-one mentorship with Ph.D. mentors. You can select from a variety of subjects, such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations. During the program, you will work on an independent research project, developing your research skills and gaining practical experience. By the end of the program, you will have completed a research paper that reflects your ability to conduct scholarly research. Find more details about the application here!
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