Bermuda Program

The Bermuda Program offers a unique opportunity for Bermudian students, ages 18 and older, to broaden their knowledge of marine and atmospheric sciences and learn about the daily operations of an active research station. Since 1976 almost 300 internship opportunities have been provided to young Bermudians, with many applying their summer experiences toward further university studies. Beyond that, some Bermuda Program graduates have successfully translated their summer internships into employment opportunities at BIOS and other related organizations in Bermuda.

Program Requirements and Schedule

A handful of budding scientists are selected each year to receive paid fellowships (stipend plus laboratory expenses) that allow them to work on a specific project of interest alongside BIOS scientists in both field and laboratory settings. The internships are full time (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm) and may have occasional night and weekend work as required by the project. Internships run for four or eight weeks during the summer with priority given to eight-week placements. There are also opportunities for participants to present their research in a traditional academic seminar. If selected, you will be placed with a faculty mentor who will guide you during your internship. 2025 session dates are:

Session 1: Monday, June 2 – Friday, July 25
Session 2: Monday, July 7 – Friday, August 29

There will be mandatory training and orientation provided on Monday June 2 for session 1 participants, and Monday July 7 for session 2 participants.

Prerequisites for acceptance into the Bermuda Program are:
There are no academic prerequisites to receive this fellowship and each application is given equal weight. However, faculty tend to select students who already have considerable laboratory experience in their field, possibly through previous BIOS programs. Please note: at the request of sponsors, the Bermuda Program is only open to Bermudians and Bermuda permanent residents (PRC).

Application Information

You can find the Bermuda Program application form here  . The deadline for submitting completed applications is April 1.

Academic Credit for BIOS Internships

Students can receive academic credit for participating in summer courses and/or internships at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS). We suggest you start planning early if you are seeking academic credit. The following steps may be useful:

• Speak to your advisor, department head, study abroad coordinator, or internship office at your home university about setting up an independent program that will provide you with unique educational benefits.
• Obtain a copy of all related information from the BIOS website (e.g., course syllabus) about the program in which you will participate. Bring this information when you meet with your academic advisor, department head, or study abroad coordinator. Work with your academic advisor to ensure that your proposal meets your school's academic requirements.
• Upon request, BIOS will provide you with a signed certificate of completion that you may submit to your school. The certificate will identify the course or project title, the instructor or principal investigator, location, dates, and will describe the type of course material that was covered and/or the type of research you conducted as part of your internship.
• Submit all completed documentation to your advisor when you finish your BIOS visit. Make sure the final documentation is filed with your department, study abroad office, or internship program.