USA Scholarships
MDI Bio Lab Summer Fellowship 2027 - $7K + Housing
MDI Biological Laboratory Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowships are competitive, paid research seasons on Mount Desert Island, Maine. For summer 2027, expect the same twin tracks as recent years: the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program for U.S. citizen and permanent-resident students enrolled at any accredited college, and the Maine INBRE fellowship for students at Maine institutions. Both run 10 weeks with faculty mentors, seminars, professional development, and a final symposium. REU fellows typically receive a $7,000 stipend plus housing and a seven-day meal plan on campus. Applications historically open around 17 November and close 25 January; confirm the exact 2027 dates on mdibl.org once the portal opens.
What is the MDI Biological Laboratory Summer Research Fellowship?
MDI Biological Laboratory Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships put you inside a working regenerative biology lab for a full Maine summer. Bar Harbor is a small coastal town, but the science community on campus is not: visiting faculty, graduate students, and high school programs share the same lecture series you attend as a fellow. If you want paid, mentored bench experience before graduate school, this is one of the sharper options on the East Coast.
The lab runs two undergraduate tracks under one SURF umbrella. NSF REU draws students from across the country who meet citizenship requirements. Maine INBRE serves undergraduates enrolled at Maine colleges and universities. Both tracks last 10 weeks, expect roughly full-time lab hours, and end with a symposium talk or poster. REU compensation in recent cycles included a $7,000 stipend, dorm housing, and meals, which makes the program genuinely fully funded for students who live on campus.
Timing rewards early planners. Applications open in November and close in late January, while many students are still focused on spring semester midterms. Use October to request transcripts, polish a one-page resume, and ask professors for references. When the 2027 portal goes live, you should only need to paste essays you already drafted and upload PDFs.
If Maine is too far or you need a graduate-level fellowship instead, compare the NERRS Graduate Research Fellowship for coastal science PhD work or the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship for NOAA graduate support in marine disciplines.
Eligibility
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✓Enrolled undergraduate at an accredited collegeYou must be enrolled in a college or university, including community college, when you apply. First- and second-year students are encouraged; the lab trains mentors to meet students at their current level.
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✓U.S. citizen or permanent resident for NSF REUNSF REU participants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents. Other funding lines at MDI Bio Lab may have different citizenship rules, but the national REU track follows NSF requirements.
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✓One semester of college biology with laboratoryBy the start of the summer program you need successful completion of one semester of college biology that included a lab component. AP Biology credit can satisfy the biology requirement per the lab FAQ.
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✓One semester of college mathematicsOne semester of college-level math is required by program start. AP Calculus or similar credit counted by your registrar usually satisfies this gate.
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✓At least 16 years old for laboratory workAll summer fellows must be at least 16 to work in an MDI Biological Laboratory research setting.
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✓Full 10-week summer commitmentFellows work roughly 35-40 hours per week and must attend required seminars, communications training, bioethics sessions, and the Summer Science Symposium. You cannot take more than five course credits elsewhere or hold more than 10 hours per week in outside work.
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✓Maine enrollment for INBRE track onlyThe INBRE Summer Fellowship is limited to undergraduates enrolled at Maine-based institutions. If you attend college outside Maine, apply through the NSF REU track instead.
Benefits
- Summer stipend $7,000 for 10 weeks
- On-campus housing Covered (optional but recommended)
- Meal plan Three meals daily, seven days per week
- Travel assistance Some travel support included
- Faculty mentored research 35-40 hours/week in assigned lab
- Seminars and professional development Included (communications, bioethics, symposia)
- Summer Science Symposium presentation Poster or short talk required
- Off-campus housing subsidy Not provided if you decline dorm housing
- Fall tuition at your home college Not covered
Document checklist
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✓NSF ETAP online applicationREU applicants apply through the NSF Education and Training Application Portal linked from the official REU Summer Fellowships page. You can save progress and return before submitting.
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✓Unofficial transcripts with fall gradesUpload PDF transcripts from every college attended, including fall semester grades from your most recent term. Missing grades slow mentor matching.
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✓Resume or CV (PDF)Summarize coursework, prior research, jobs, and skills relevant to regenerative biology or aging research.
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✓Essay responsesThe application includes several short essay prompts about research interests, career goals, and why MDI Bio Lab fits your training. Answer concretely and name faculty or research themes when possible.
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✓Two faculty referencesProvide email addresses for two professors willing to submit recommendations through the portal. Ask early so references arrive before the January deadline.
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✓Research interest and mentor preferencesYou may indicate areas of interest and faculty mentors you hope to work with. Browse current faculty research on mdibl.org before you write this section.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
How much does the MDI Biological Laboratory REU pay?
NSF REU fellows receive a $7,000 stipend for the 10-week summer. The program also covers on-campus housing and a full meal plan, and includes some travel assistance. Stipends are taxable; the lab does not withhold taxes and may issue Form 1099-NEC if you receive more than $600 in a calendar year.
When is the MDI Bio Lab summer fellowship application deadline?
For the 2026 summer program, applications and references were due 25 January 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, with the portal opening 17 November 2025. The 2027 summer cycle has not been posted yet, but MDI Bio Lab usually follows the same late-fall to late-January window. Check the official REU Summer Fellowships page for confirmed dates.
Who is eligible for MDI Biological Laboratory summer research fellowships?
Undergraduates enrolled at accredited colleges who meet biology and math prerequisites and can commit to the full 10 weeks. NSF REU requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. INBRE is for students enrolled at Maine institutions. You must be at least 16 years old.
Do MDI Bio Lab summer fellows get free housing?
Yes for fellows who stay in campus dormitories. Birch Hall and Spruce Hall house REU students near the labs and dining hall. You may arrange off-campus housing, but the program does not fund rent or meals if you opt out of the residential package.
Can freshmen apply to MDI Biological Laboratory REU?
Yes. First-year and second-year students are eligible and encouraged, provided you will have completed one semester of college biology with lab and one semester of college math before the program starts.
What research topics do MDI Bio Lab summer fellows work on?
Projects focus on regenerative biology, aging, and related biomedical science using models such as zebrafish, killifish, nematodes, and axolotls. Fellows integrate animal models, microscopy, genetics, molecular tools, and computation depending on the mentor lab.
Can I reapply if I was an MDI Bio Lab REU fellow before?
Yes, but priority goes to first-time participants. A strong second application should show clear growth and a new scientific question.
Where is MDI Biological Laboratory located?
The campus sits in Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Maine, next to Acadia National Park. Fellows use free Island Explorer buses for park access on weekends when lab duties allow.
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