Great vision, insightful policy, community generosity, and scientific dedication is how the now prestigious and highly regarded Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences has grown to international standing.
Read a detailed history of BIOS, in this free e-book: BBSR The First Century (PDF)
- 1903
Scientists from Harvard University and New York University join with the Bermuda Natural History Society to open a marine biological center at Flatts Inlet in Bermuda, called the Bermuda Biological Station for Research.
- 1926
BIOS is incorporated in New York as a US not-for-profit organization.
- 1932
BIOS moves to its current location on Ferry Reach, St George’s thanks to the gift of facilities and a modest endowment from the Bermuda Government and the Rockefeller Foundation. Operating primarily in summer, BIOS is used by US university professors and their students.
- 1954
Hydrostation ”S” is established, marking the beginning of the longest-running continuous ocean study in the world and the start of increased international scientific attention for BIOS as it becomes a year-round research center.
- 1975
The Bermuda Government establishes an inshore-water monitoring program that continues today.
- 1976
The Bermuda Program is initiated, offering local Bermudian students the opportunity to work collaboratively with BIOS scientists through an intensive hands-on research internship.
- 1978
The Oceanic Flux Program begins, creating the longest record of deep-ocean sediment trap studies in the world.
- 1984
UK Associates of BIOS is formed, offering scholarships to UK science students to attend summer courses at BIOS.
- 1988
BIOS becomes a critical link in an international effort to understand the ocean and atmospheric system as part of the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study.
- 1988
The Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) begins, establishing BIOS as one of two US centers for time-series studies on temporal variability in the ocean and providing key data on changing climate and the ocean.
- 1991
BIOS becomes an NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site, helping to train the next generation of scientists.
- 1994
The Risk Prediction Initiative, a collaboration between climate scientists and (re)insurers, is established.
- 1998
A first-of-its-kind international research project linking ocean and human health begins with the formation of the Molecular Discovery Lab.
- 2004
The Naess Building, housing vital laboratory and office space is completed and becomes an operational part of the BIOS campus.
- 2006
First cruise aboard the R/V Atlantic Explorer.
- 2007
BIOS establishes a joint PhD program with Princeton University.
- 2007
Bermuda Biological Station for Research is renamed as Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences.
- 2012
BIOS’s suite of on-island education programs are integrated to form Ocean Academy, offering experiential marine science education for Bermuda’s students and teachers.
- 2014
BIOS acquires its first Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), a Slocum glider using innovative technology to increase the frequency and spatial coverage of BIOS’s traditional oceanographic ship-based measurements.