PELLSTON, Michigan — The University of Michigan Biological Station is debuting a new slate of undergraduate student research fellowships for the 2025 field season, in addition to long-running opportunities to do hands-on, immersive training in a diversity of ecosystems and natural communities in northern Michigan.

The new Biological Station Undergraduate Research Fellows Program is a fully supported research experience that includes a $5,500 stipend, on-campus housing, meals and — if desired early in a student’s career — tuition to take a summer term course at UMBS. We have mentors that span a wide range of topics including:

  • Disturbance forest ecology and carbon sequestration;
  • Disease ecology;
  • Evolution of trees;
  • Ecology of bracken fern;
  • Forest ecosystem function and stability;
  • Community ecology and assembly in pitcher plants;
  • Microbial ecology and global climate change;
  • Wild rice restoration; and
  • Climate change, grasshopper herbivory and spider predation.

The program runs June 16 through Aug. 8, 2025, at UMBS, one of the nation’s largest and longest continuously operating field research stations where students and scientists live and work as a community to learn from nature and place.

Located about 20 miles south of the Mackinac Bridge and founded in 1909, laboratories, classrooms and cabins are tucked into more than 10,000 acres along Douglas Lake to support long-term science research and education.

Research expenses will be covered for the Biological Station Undergraduate Research Fellows Program.

Applications are due by March 1 and evaluated on a rolling basis.

Learn how to apply for the Biological Station Undergraduate Research Fellows Program and more about science mentors and research projects on the UMBS Student Research Opportunities website.

These new undergraduate research fellows are joining two other long-running opportunities for student research at the field station in northern Michigan: the CLEAR Fellowship and the Bach-Hazlett Fellowship.

CLEAR Fellowship for Aquatic Ecology Research and Advocacy: Students take a summer session class at the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) in Pellston, Michigan, and conduct aquatic ecosystems research and community outreach as an intern with the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council in Petoskey, Michigan, during the spring and summer terms. CLEAR fellows conduct independent research on freshwater ecosystems focused on water quality improvement, ecosystem protection or stewardship, or freshwater sustainability. They also involve or engage local communities in their research or research findings. Fellows will work to organize and carry out community volunteer monitoring activities and assist in water resource management projects. This fellowship provides tuition support, room, board, research fees, and supplies at UMBS. Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council will provide a $15 per hour stipend for work performed for their organization (up to 40 hours per week). Housing is provided for CLEAR Fellows at UMBS from early/mid-May until early August. The deadline to apply is Feb. 15, 2025. For more information visit the UMBS Student Research Opportunities website.

Bach-Hazlett Fellowship for Ecology and Behavior Research: The Bach-Hazlett Fellowship covers tuition, room and board for one student to take classes during either spring or summer session at the University of Michigan Biological Station and do a research project involving ecology and behavior. This spring course term runs May 20 – June 19, 2025, and summer course term runs July 1- July 31, 2025. Application deadline is March 15, 2025. For more information visit the UMBS Student Research Opportunities website.

Our core mission at UMBS is to serve as a gathering place to learn from the natural world, advance research and education, and inspire action. We leverage over a century of research and transformative experiences to drive discoveries and solutions to benefit Michigan and beyond.