Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) at BIOS: Collaborative Marine Research

Applications for the 2023 BIOS REU Program are now open, apply here. The 2023 program starts on August 28 and ends on November 17.

An REU internship at BIOS is a great way for U.S. undergraduate students to gain the experience necessary to embark on graduate studies or careers in science.

BIOS has National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) funding to support nine undergraduate student researchers at BIOS during the fall semester. Students will conduct individual research projects in a collaborative team environment under the expert mentorship of BIOS faculty and staff. The 2023 REU research projects are based around the following broad research themes:

• Research Theme 1 - Coral Reef Function and Resilience
• Research Theme 2 - Planktonic Life: Size, Abundance and Community Structure
• Research Theme 3 - Marine Microbial Oceanography

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, flora and fauna as well as workshops and seminars given by BIOS faculty.

Eligibility and Terms of Internship

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. To be eligible, applicants must be over 18 years of age and enrolled in a program of undergraduate study immediately before and after the program dates. Underrepresented groups and students attending colleges or universities with limited STEM research opportunities are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants are ineligible if they have participated in a prior NSF-funded REU in Ocean Sciences. Successful candidates are advised to arrange for independent study credit through their home institutions. Return airfare (from and to the U.S.), campus accommodation, meals and a competitive stipend are covered by the BIOS REU program; medical/travel insurance is the responsibility of the student.

Application Procedure

Before you begin your application please review the instructions carefully. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. The application deadline is May 31.

Students will be working on individual projects within a collaborative group setting organized around three broad, overarching research themes. While applicants will be asked to indicate their preferred area of research, final decisions will be made by the selection committee.

Further Information

Since the inception of our REU program in 1991, BIOS has enabled over 200 students to undertake independent research projects in Bermuda. Of these, approximately 80 students have translated their efforts 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:

• “It was a completely unparalleled experience. Not only did I learn what I set out to experience about research science but I learned so much more. I’ve never been more sure that I want to go to graduate school.” Luisa Castro-Meirelles, 2022
• “This internship was life changing for me. I was able to see ecosystems I had never encountered in my undergraduate training.” Natalie Graham, 2022
• “The internship granted me self-confidence as a scientist and as a young woman. It facilitated my personal growth and social expansion, and it allowed me to explore a real scientific question and gave me the independence and autonomy to collect my own data and analyze it accordingly.” Emma Jones, 2022
• “This internship taught me key skills that I will definitely use during my professional career as a marine biologist, as well as gave me many lasting relationships with my co-workers and mentors.” Isabel Martínez-Farrington, 2022

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

Funding for this REU site is provided by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Ocean Sciences located in Arlington, VA. Award number OCE-2050858. The NSF contact for this program is Elizabeth Rom. NSF does not handle REU applications; please contact each REU site directly for application information.