Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

2015 students head home after a successful semester of research and learning.

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An REU internship at BIOS is a great way to gain the experience necessary to embark on graduate studies or careers in the marine and atmospheric sciences! 

BIOS has National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) funding to support 8 undergraduate student researchers at BIOS during the 2016 fall semester. Students will conduct independent projects under faculty and staff supervision within several research areas including:

• Biology, chemistry, and physics of the open ocean
• Biology, physiology, and biochemistry of reef building corals and reef ecosystems
• Molecular biology of marine organisms
• Environmental chemistry of Bermuda's atmosphere and inshore waters
• Effects and consequences of global environmental change

Throughout the semester, REU students will give presentations that outline their research topic, methods, and results, including a final presentation to BIOS faculty, staff, and visiting students. REU students will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of field excursions to learn about Bermuda's natural history, as well as workshops and seminars given by BIOS faculty. In 2016, REU students will arrive at BIOS on August 28^th and depart on November 19^th. 

Eligibility and Terms of Internship

Students who have completed at least one year of undergraduate study and who will still be undergraduates in the fall of 2016 are eligible to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applicants may be ineligible if they have participated in a previous NSF-funded REU in Ocean Sciences (other disciplines are eligible to apply). BIOS encourages all successful applicants to arrange for independent study credit through their home institutions. Students will reside on the BIOS campus. Travel expenses, room, board, and a competitive stipend will be covered by the REU program; travel insurance is the responsibility of the student. 

Application Procedure

Before you begin your application, please review the information on this page carefully. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

1. Before applying to the REU program, please review the list of potential REU projects and mentors for 2016.  You should select three mentors and research projects that you would be interested in working with during your time at BIOS. You will be asked to rank the mentors in the application and to write a statement of research interests.
2. Application Instructions: Below, you will find a list of instructions to aid in your application process. Note that if you exit the application before completing the questions, your application will not be saved.

• On the first page of the application, you will be prompted to upload an up-to-date CV and a copy of your transcripts. Photocopies of certifiable original transcripts are acceptable, as are web downloads.
• The file names must include your first and last name as well as the title of the document. Do not use spaces in these file names; use underscores if a space is required. Please have these documents ready to upload, as you will not be able to proceed to the remainder of the application without uploading these documents.
• BIOS requires two (2) letters of recommendation as part of your application. Please request that two letters of recommendation are sent directly by your referees to education@bios.edu. Letters must be received before the May 31^st, 2016 application deadline or your application will not be reviewed. Note that someone from BIOS will contact you before the application deadline if we have received an application but no letters.
• The 2016 REU Application Form can be found here or in the related items section of this page.

3.  Applications must be submitted no later than May 31^st, 2016. Applications received after this date may be evaluated if space is available. Applicants are usually notified by the end of June. In special circumstances, early consideration may be possible.

If you are unsure whether your application was submitted successfully or you encounter a problem, please contact us.

Further Information

Over the years, dozens of REU students have translated their hard work at BIOS into peer-reviewed publications in prominent scientific journals and conference proceedings. BIOS’s REU program provides a springboard to future careers in ocean and atmospheric sciences and as a result, REU students have positive things to say about their experiences:

• "My internship at BIOS and the excellent mentorship I received from Dr. Andrea Bodnar and Dr. Helena Reinardy allowed me to grow immensely as a research scientist. I built skills in experimental design and data analysis, learned new laboratory techniques, and experienced the challenges of problem solving that so often accompany nascent research projects. My experience at BIOS solidified my decision to attend graduate school and provided a strong foundation in regenerative biology. I wholeheartedly recommend the NSF REU program at BIOS."  Chloe Emerson, REU 2015
• "This experience has allowed me to gain a better understanding about what it means to do research as well as giving me the opportunity to explore living in a new country. I would definitely recommend this to anyone."  Hannah Saraceno, REU 2015
• "BIOS is, in its founding, a research institute, and Bermuda is a prime location for studying the ocean. Any university can teach and give you the tools of research, but only an institute of this caliber can give you the chance to conduct novel research, under the guidance of an expert scientist. I have high regard for the staff: they are the heart of BIOS, and I count myself lucky for having the opportunity to connect with such an excellent group."  April Oliver, REU 2014
• "I was impressed by the ability to meet and talk with the staff and mentors outside of the lab environment. My time at BIOS has not changed my thoughts on working to become a researcher in the future, but it has solidified my choice to become a scientist. I would definitely recommend the NSF REU program at BIOS to anyone interested in the marine sciences. It is a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet other scientists, and have fun while doing it.”  Gabriel Schuler, REU 2014

Visit the BIOS Facebook page to learn more about REU alums and the science research going on at BIOS. Read more about the REU program from the student blogs.

The 2016 REU program at BIOS is supported by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Ocean Sciences under Grant No. 1460686.  The NSF contact for this program is Lisa Rom, elrom@nsf.gov or 703-292-7709.  NSF does not handle REU applications; please contact each REU site directly for application information.