Summer Research Experience (Education Program) Application Information
RMBL Education Program Informational POSTER: Poster for RMBL Ed Program 2026
The APPLICATION for RMBL summer 2026 is currently OPEN. Please review these pages to find out more about the summer research program and how to apply!
February 13, 2026: Application due date.
After February 13, 2026: Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the program is full. Late applicants will not be considered for REU awards or for full-tuition scholarships, though they may be considered for partial scholarships.
Applicants for the 2026 REU Award must meet the following requirements:
- 18 years of age by June 1, 2026
- Current undergraduate student, will not earn Bachelor’s degree by August 2026
- US Citizen or Permanent Resident of US, with proof
Note: on Jan. 31, 2025 RMBL discontinued the use of the NSF-ETAP portal for applications. Students should apply directly on the RMBL website.
Students who plan to apply for financial support through the REU award and/or a RMBL Scholarship should apply directly to RMBL, as described on the Apply Now page. Submitting Financial Aid information is strongly suggested. Students may apply for funding for the REU award only, REU OR RMBL Scholarship, or RMBL Scholarship only. Acceptance into the program is not based on financial need and all applications are given the same consideration.
Students who do not plan to apply for financial support should apply directly to RMBL, as described on the Apply Now page. No financial information will be requested. Acceptance into the program is not based on financial need and all applications are given the same consideration.
Informational sheet of Tips for Applying are here: Tips apply to RMBL – 2026
Program Dates
On-Site Dates: June 9th – August 14th, 2026*
Pre-Arrival: 2 days of remote programming in late May, dates to be determined
*Some students may arrange to arrive earlier or later if necessary for their particular project; start and end dates are somewhat flexible. However, students are expected to participate in the education program for 10 weeks, regardless of their start date.
RMBL Information, Facilities, and Location
The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory is located at 9500 feet elevation in Gothic, Colorado, about 4 miles north of Mount Crested Butte, CO on a gravel road (County Road 317). RMBL is a 4-5 hour drive from Denver or Colorado Springs. The closest airport (45 miles away) is in Gunnison, CO (GUC).
Students are expected to follow all RMBL Policies and the Code of Conduct. More information and policies on Health & Safety, Communication, Pets, Guests, and Life at RMBL can be found here: Summer Resident Information
Eligibility for Summer Research Experience
At least one year of college biology is recommended for students conducting independent research. Any student 18 or older, who is interested in a career in field biology, is eligible to apply to this program.
Education Program Cost
The cost of the 2026 RMBL Education Program is $10,000. The fee includes tuition, onsite housing, and all meals for 10 weeks. All 40 students participate in the same Summer Research Experience program, regardless of their source of funding.
Some students will pay the $10,000 fee, some will receive full or partial scholarships from RMBL or their home institution, and 10 students will be funded by a National Science Foundation REU grant. An REU award pays $400 toward travel costs, pays a $7,000 stipend, and covers the full RMBL program cost. Students requiring assistance applying for funding from their home institution should contact the Research and Education Manager.
Financial support is provided to 80% of students via the REU awards and RMBL Scholarships ( full and partial scholarships ). RMBL can also help students seek internship or scholarship support from their home institution and can arrange for the program fee to be paid with funds from a 529 plan or AmeriCorps. The REU awards and Scholarships are competitive, with ~250 applicants for approximately 10 REU positions and 20 Scholarships.
Review and Acceptance Process
RMBL will judge all the applications based on student academic preparation, motivation, letters of recommendation, and the potential to both benefit from and contribute to field biology research. RMBL scholarship and REU awards are based on financial need, extent of access to research opportunities at their home institution, and the potential for the RMBL research experience to be transformational. The RMBL program encourages participation by students who have encountered personal, financial, or other obstacles to opportunities in science, who have limited research opportunities at their home institution, and for whom a research experience at RMBL would significantly advance their education and career in science.
You can expect to receive an email from RMBL staff in March letting you know if you are accepted into the program. This acceptance/REU offer/Scholarship offer letter may come via DocuSign. It is very important to check your SPAM folder!
We accept about 150 students into our program and the 40 spots are filled based on a combination of mentor/project availability and student response date, with the program typically filling up by late March. If you are accepted, you will need to provide a $1000 deposit to secure a place in the program. Students with REU awards or other federal funding are not required to submit a deposit to hold their spot.
RMBL provides equal opportunities in science and education and is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in relation to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, or disability.