ABOUT

The Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship at U-M strives to expand interest in basic life sciences research for high school students. Aspirnaut is a six-week residential program on U-M's Ann Arbor campus where interns are immersed in a hands-on science laboratory experience to explore life as a professional scientist. Interns assist with real science projects and gather results that contribute to cutting-edge research. At the end of the experience, Aspirnaut interns present their work to the public and to our community of scientists. We recruit from all communities across Michigan, including rural and socioeconomically under-resourced communities.

The 2026 program schedule will run from move-in on June 14 through July 24.

Application for 2026 now open

Application closes February 15, 2026

Go to the application portal

BENEFITS

Interns receive funding of $3,000 to participate and work in our laboratories. This is designed to explore doing science as a practical career for anyone who is interested.

Additional programming is set-up to train interns in science communication through the U-M Museum of Natural History. Interns also attend talks throughout the program to broaden which scientific fields are of interest and to gain invaluable practical knowledge on attending and working in a professional setting like U-M.

Housing and meal plan costs are covered by the program. Students are provided with housing in double-occupancy (shared) rooms within student residence hall on campus and meals at a campus dining facility (three meals Monday-Friday and two meals on Saturday and Sunday).

After work hours, and on the weekends, interns will participate in social activities with their colleagues within Aspirnaut and across other high school programs on campus. This ensures that no matter where they go after high school they will have already developed a social network of like-minded peers.

Funding may be subject to federal and/or state income taxes. It is the sole responsibility of the individual Aspirnaut intern to investigate the impact, if any, of their pay on financial aid, personal income tax or any similar situation.

REQUIREMENTS

Aspirnaut interns are required to be present and on campus for the duration of the program. Absences for non-health or non-emergency related reasons are not permitted.
Interns are responsible for providing transportation to and from the program.
Interns are required to have health insurance coverage for the duration of the program.

LIFE ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS

Current U-M undergraduates are trained to serve as residential assistants (RAs) for the duration of the program to foster a safe and healthy environment for all interns.

Over the course of summer, interns will have opportunities to interact in social and professional activities with participants in other summer high school programs while exploring our beautiful campus in downtown Ann Arbor.

Aspirnaut interns will also have access to university resources such as campus recreation facilities and the student health service.

COLLEGE, CAREER, AND CULTURAL PREPARATION AND ENRICHMENT

Interns will benefit from professional development and enrichment opportunities. These include individualized meetings with mentors, preparation for standardized tests, college advising, networking opportunities with scientists in a world-class research environment and cultural and social activities.

The Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship at U-M is modeled after a very successful program started by two faculty members at Vanderbilt University. Learn more about the original Aspirnaut program, which continues as an independent non-profit based in Nashville.

A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

Aspirnaut interns are supervised by research supervisors, undergraduate resident advisors and program staff. The university’s policies and procedures for hosting minors on campus promote a safe and supportive environment for participants.

Consistent with those policies, Aspirnaut follows an established Code of Conduct. Its faculty, staff (including student employees), and volunteers submit to criminal background screening, complete required training and adhere to all applicable reporting obligations. For more detailed information, please refer to the university’s “Policy on Minors Involved in University-Sponsored Programs or Programs Held in University Facilities.”

BEYOND THE PROGRAM

While this is a six-week summer program, our goal is to help students pursue their dreams of enrolling in college and pursuing educational and career opportunities in the sciences. If a participant is later admitted to the University, additional university resources may also be available, such as the Go Blue Guarantee, which provides four years of free tuition to admitted, in-state students from households earning less than $125,000 per year and with assets totaling under $125,000.

"It has made me mature as an individual and appreciate everything others do for me. I also learned I am smarter than I thought and anything can be accomplished if you really try hard.”

– Aspirnaut participant, M.G

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