14 Summer Internships for High School Students in Michigan
If you are a high school student looking for something productive during summer break, then an internship can be a great opportunity to explore. Summer internships allow you to step into real-world environments and apply your classroom learning in professional settings while developing new skills and connections. You can explore possible career paths and gain insights into opportunities available in fields of your interest.
In Michigan, universities, hospitals, nonprofits, and community organizations host internships across areas like research, healthcare, public service, and technology. Whether you're in-state or exploring out-of-state options, these programs allow you to engage with professionals, grow your network, and build a stronger resume. You also gain a better understanding of professional practices and develop communication and problem-solving skills.
To guide your search, we’ve created a list of 15 summer internships for high school students in Michigan.
1. Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Varies by placement
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school seniors
The MARESA Internship Program is designed for high school seniors and operates as an independent study course linked to a student’s chosen career pathway. Interns commit 6–10 hours per week at a host site arranged by the program’s coordinator, where they are supervised by employees of local businesses or agencies. As a participant, you are expected to follow both school and workplace attendance policies, complete daily journals, and may be assigned additional projects or reports depending on the site supervisor’s requirements. Before the placement begins, the training schedule and expectations must be approved by the student, parent, school, and host site.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
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). You can apply here.
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 is a virtual program that introduces high school students to artificial intelligence through structured courses and mentored research. If you are just beginning, the AI Scholars program consists of ten live sessions covering key concepts such as neural networks, natural language processing, and the real-world use of AI systems, while allowing you to complete small projects that reinforce technical skills. For those with more background, the AI Fellowship pairs you one-on-one with a mentor from a leading university to carry out an independent research project, which can be submitted for publication in a student journal. While not a traditional internship, you receive guidance on project design, technical problem-solving, and academic writing.
3. Wayne State University’s Discovery to Cure High School Internship Program
Location: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students annually, less than 12%
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising seniors at least 16 years of age
Wayne State University’s Discovery to Cure High School Internship Program is an eight-week summer research experience focused on biomedical science that places you in a university lab for about 40 hours a week, working under the mentorship of faculty or research staff. Areas of study include reproductive biology, oncology, immunology, precision medicine, and related fields, giving you the chance to contribute to ongoing projects while developing technical lab skills. Weekly seminars expand your knowledge of biomedical research and provide context for the hands-on work you complete in the lab. At the end of the summer internship for high school students in Michigan, you present your findings to faculty and peers, gaining experience in both scientific communication and critical analysis.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: 8-week program with multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: High school and gap year students
Ladder Internships is a selective online program that connects high school students with startups and nonprofits worldwide for professional work experiences. You can choose to intern in fields such as technology, artificial intelligence, finance, healthcare, environmental science, media, or marketing, depending on your interests and career goals. Each participant is placed with a manager at the host organization as well as a Ladder coach, who provides ongoing mentorship and skill-building support. The projects you work on are designed to be meaningful to the organization, and you are expected to present your contributions at the end of the internship. In addition to individualized mentoring, the program includes group sessions that focus on professional skills like communication and time management.
5. Multicultural Apprenticeship Program (MAP) by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at MSU
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive
Dates: July 6 – August 1
Application deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school students currently in 10th and 11th grades with a strong interest and aptitude in math, science, and other academic areas
MAP at Michigan State University is a four-week residential summer experience designed for high school students interested in agriculture, food, and natural resource sciences. Each participant is paired with a faculty mentor from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and takes part in a structured research project in areas such as food science, veterinary medicine, crop and soil sciences, forestry, or environmental engineering. Alongside research, the program incorporates leadership seminars, cultural events, and field trips that introduce you to college life and potential career paths in related industries. Further, living on campus with other students gives you a fun, realistic preview of the college experience!
6. Summer Youth Program – Jackson Hospital
Location: Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, Jackson, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; invitation-only
Dates: June 9 – August 8
Application deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores to seniors
The Summer Youth Program at Jackson Hospital is an eight-week volunteer experience designed for high school students who have completed at least their freshman year. Participants are selected through an interview process and must attend a mandatory orientation and training session in June before beginning their work. Once accepted, you will be scheduled for at least one four-hour shift per week, with the possibility of additional shifts, where you’ll be placed in hospital departments to assist with non-medical tasks and observe healthcare professionals. This medical summer internship for high school students in Michigan also covers communication and leadership skills, giving you a chance to gain confidence in a professional environment while learning about hospital operations.
7. University of Michigan’s Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8–10 students accepted annually
Dates: June 14 – July 24
Application deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Rising seniors who are at least 16 years old. Preference is given to students from socio-economically disadvantaged communities
The University of Michigan’s Aspirnaut Program is a six-week summer research internship designed for high school students from under-resourced Michigan communities with an interest in the life sciences. This summer internship for high school students in Michigan places you in an active research laboratory where you work alongside faculty and graduate researchers on a defined project, running experiments, analyzing data, and presenting results at the end of the session. Only a small cohort of about 8–10 students is accepted each year, which allows for close mentorship and guidance throughout the process. In addition to lab work, participants live on campus with housing and meals provided, take part in test prep and college advising, and join social or cultural activities with peers from other summer programs.
8. Henry Ford Health Department of Surgery High School Mentorship Program
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free | $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 students (for the internship)
Dates: Runs during the academic year with a summer internship between June – August
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Detroit-area high school students
The Henry Ford Health Department of Surgery High School Mentorship Program offers Detroit-area students the chance to explore medical and surgical careers over the course of the academic year. Participants attend Saturday workshops in the hospital’s Surgical Simulation Suite, where they practice suturing, knot-tying, and minimally invasive surgical techniques under professional supervision. Besides practical training, students tour the hospital and meet healthcare professionals, medical students, and surgical staff to better understand career pathways. At the end of the school-year program, ten students are selected for a paid summer internship, which provides deeper experience in hospital departments.
9. Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI) by CultureSource
Location: Multiple organizations across Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free | $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students
Dates: 8-week internship between June and August
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising seniors who attend public or charter schools in the city of Detroit
The Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI), coordinated by CultureSource in Detroit, places rising high school seniors in paid summer roles at arts and culture organizations across the city. This 7–8 week summer internship for high school students in Michigan combines three days per week of on-site work experience with two days dedicated to curriculum and cultural site visits. Through this structure, you gain exposure to creative career paths while also building skills in areas such as writing, leadership, public speaking, financial literacy, and college readiness. All interns receive a stipend and support for work-related expenses like meals and transportation.
10. Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: July 6 – August 1
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: 11th-grade Michigan residents; must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident of the U.S
The Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers is a four-week residential program at the University of Michigan designed to introduce rising high school seniors to nuclear engineering and related STEM fields. The program combines lectures, lab tours, and field trips to facilities such as the Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory, the ZEUS laser system, and the Fermi Nuclear Power Plant. You will also take part in panel discussions with current students, presentations from faculty and alumni, and, for select participants, collaborative research projects with university mentors. Community engagement is another component, with workshops that encourage dialogue about nuclear energy and its role in society.
11. University of Michigan’s Future Ready Scholars
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free | Typically paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Multi-year program including a two-week summer camp
Application deadline: April
Eligibility: Current rising 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students who are Michigan residents
Future Ready Scholars at the University of Michigan is a multi-year initiative for Southeast Michigan high school students that combines STEM enrichment with college and career readiness. Each summer, participants spend two weeks on the Ann Arbor campus engaging in the Engineering Design Process to address real-world challenges, using tools such as robotics, CAD, app development, and entrepreneurship under the guidance of U-M faculty, Michigan Engineering Zone instructors, and college students. The program also incorporates sessions on SAT preparation, career exploration, and job shadowing, offering a broader perspective on postsecondary options. Importantly, Future Ready Scholars continues beyond the summer with monthly Saturday sessions during the school year.
12. RYSE MED Program
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 29 – August 8
Application deadline: Starts in February
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders in Metro Detroit with at least a 2.5 GPA (2.75 for seniors)
RYSE MED, hosted at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, is a free program focused on preparing students for healthcare and research careers with an emphasis on health equity. This six-week summer immersion includes physician and researcher shadowing, hands-on simulations, workshops, and even virtual reality clinical experiences. You and your peers will also research a health equity issue relevant to your family or community, design an infographic, and deliver a presentation to healthcare professionals and community members at the program’s conclusion. Beyond the summer, participants continue meeting with mentors and staff through the academic year, engaging in enrichment activities that support academic and career growth.
13. Biomedical Career Advancement Program (BCAP)
Location: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend may be available depending on funding
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application deadline: April 7
Eligibility: 10th-12th graders with at least a 2.75 GPA; Priority given to Detroit-area and Wayne County residents and students from disadvantaged backgrounds
BCAP at Wayne State University School of Medicine is a six-week summer internship for high school students in Michigan designed to introduce high school students to biomedical research. Participants work Monday through Thursday for several hours each day with faculty and research staff on independent projects, while Fridays are reserved for lab training, professional development, and panels. Training includes techniques such as gel electrophoresis, microscopy, pipetting, CPR, and even phlebotomy, giving you practical exposure to lab and clinical skills. Students also receive instruction in lab safety and the chance to interact with professionals in health science careers. At the end of the program, participants present their research at a symposium attended by peers, mentors, and university staff.
14. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual projects available
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP at George Mason University is a full-time, eight-week research experience that allows high school students to work directly with faculty and professionals in advanced STEM fields. Depending on placement, you may engage in projects in neuroscience, robotics, molecular biology, bioengineering, climate science, or data science applications. Daily lab work is complemented by weekly seminars on topics such as ethics, science communication, and career preparation. Interns gain access to specialized equipment and computational tools while contributing to ongoing research that may lead to publications or conference presentations.
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