The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) will offer the Undergraduate Education Program, including awarding REU’s and scholarships, in 2022.  The onsite program dates are June 8-August 15, 2023, plus the equivalent of 2 days of remote programming in May/June. This is a 10 week program. In 2020 and 2021, the summer program was a successful hybrid of local, on-site, and off-site students, with a similar mix of on-site and off-site scientist mentors.  RMBL anticipates accommodating the majority of students and mentors on-site in 2023, as allowable by COVID-19 safety protocols. 

Our program has two tracks which differ in the degree of initial independence students experience when learning about and conducting field research. We encourage students of all backgrounds and with varying levels of experience to apply to each of the tracks. We review applications, choose a group of students that comprises a diverse mix, and place students in the program that best fits their experience and expectations. Approximately twenty students will be in each independent research track.  Both programs run concurrently during the ten-week session from June 8 -August 15, 2023.  Some students may be asked to arrive earlier or stay later if necessary for their particular project; start and end dates are flexible. However, students are expected to participate in the education program for 10 weeks, regardless of start date. The assumption is that the majority of students will reside onsite or locally off-site, if they have a home in the county. Students with special circumstances may inquire with the Education Programs Coordinator about the possibility of participating in the program partly or entirely remotely. Additionally, students wishing to turn their research into a senior thesis should contact the Education Programs Coordinator to help coordinate with their home institution.

Full-time Independent Research – 10 credits.
This program targets students who wish to conduct a full-time independent research project in field biology. Applicants may be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program, graduates of an undergraduate program, or may be early in their graduate career. Students conduct independent research under the supervision of RMBL scientists. During the summer, students will work with their mentors to develop a testable hypothesis, gather data, analyze the data, and produce a written and oral report by the end of the program. They will work approximately 40 hours a week on their projects, in addition to attending biweekly discussions or workshops and a weekly seminar series.

Independent Research and Short Course – 8 credits for independent research and 2 credits for the course.
This program targets students who wish to combine independent research with a short course in either 1) Rocky Mountain Ecosystems or 2) Wildlife Biology. This track initially provides more support and structure than full-time research. This could be helpful for students new to field research. In addition, students who are especially interested in one of these subject areas are also encouraged to select this track, regardless of their experience level.  For the first 4 weeks of the program students take the course for two days/week and conduct their independent research project for 3 days/week.  For the last six weeks, they only conduct their independent research.  Students conduct independent research under the supervision of RMBL scientist mentors. During the summer, students will work with their mentors to develop a testable hypothesis, gather data, analyze the data, and produce a written and oral report by the end of the program. They will work approximately 40 hours a week on their courses and projects, in addition to attending biweekly discussions or workshops and a weekly seminar series.

Courses offered during summer 2023:

1. Rocky Mountain Ecosystems
2. Wildlife Biology

REU Awards
This summer, 10 students will be accepted through the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, funded by the National Science Foundation.  Students receiving an REU award may participate in either full-time independent research or independent research/course, as described above. The REU awards cover the full cost of the program, including room, board and tuition, pay a $5,750 stipend directly to the student, and provide $400 toward travel costs. REU awards are restricted to students who are not only citizens or permanent residents of the United States, but also have not graduated from college before the dates of the program.  Minorities underrepresented in the biological sciences are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mentors: A LIST OF POTENTIAL 2023 MENTORS AND PROJECTS IS POSTED HERE.  (last updated Nov 2021).

COVID-19 Statement: All students accepted into the RMBL education program will be required to follow the RMBL COVID-19 health and safety plan, which will include proof of vaccination, and may include testing, symptom monitoring, isolation, mask-wearing, hand-washing, personal distancing, and group size limits. Vaccine exemptions will be considered, as required by law.