Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

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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 2017 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 2017, REU students will arrive at BIOS on August 27 and depart on November 18.

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 2017 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, accommodations, meals, and a competitive stipend will be covered by the REU program; medical/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. Application deadline is May 31, 2017.

1. Before applying to the REU program, please review the list of potential REU projects and mentors for 2017.  
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 all the questions, your application will not be saved.  Therefore, it is highly advised that you review the requirements beforehand.

• The first page of the application provides important notes on eligibility, supporting documents required and general information.
• Following this, the application requires general information and your top three mentor/project choices. You then will be asked to complete 6 questions, requiring paragraph answers, relating to your research interests and education background. To aid you in preparing these answers, we have created a pdf with the questions that will be on the application form. Please review these questions and, if needed, prepare your answers before beginning the online application form. Remember, you will not be able to save your application while in progress. The list of questions can be found here. Following the 6 questions, you will be asked to give the names and email addresses of your referees and so, you  should have this information ready to provide when asked.
• BIOS requires two (2) letters of recommendation as part of your application.  Please request that two letters of recommendation are sent by your referees directly to education@bios.edu. Letters must be received before the May 31, 2017 application deadline or your application will not be reviewed.  Note that BIOS will contact you before the application deadline if we have received an application but no letters.
• On the last page of the application, you will be asked to upload an up-to-date CV/résumé and a copy of your transcripts.  Photocopies of certifiable, original transcripts are acceptable, as are web downloads. Please note: a) The filenames 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. b) Please have these documents ready to upload; failure to upload will result in an incomplete application.
• The online application form for the 2017 REU Program at BIOS can be accessed here.

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:

• “This program helped me improve my skills as a scientist, as a programmer and as a presenter. I definitely feel more confident in my research skills and closer to the scientific community. I also had my first experience on a multiple day research cruise with the Oceanic Flux Program (OFP). In conclusion the BIOS REU helped me realize that ocean sciences/oceanography is the correct career path for me.” Joan Bonilla, REU 2016
• “The REU program at BIOS was everything I hoped for and more. I learned more about the scientific process than I ever anticipated. In addition, my project has opened up so many doors for opportunities such as publication and presenting at conferences that I never anticipated getting the opportunity for as an undergraduate. The REU program helped me confirm that I am in the correct field and solidified my decision to enroll in a graduate program in the near future.” Katherine Hudson, 2016
• "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

Visit the BIOS Facebook page to learn more about REU alums and the science research going on at BIOS. 

The 2017 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.