Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Biological Infrastructure awarded $464,952 to the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL) on April 15, 2026, under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) to establish a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site focused on comparative animal model approaches to regeneration and aging. The REU Site will provide 10 weeks of intensive summer research training to 10 undergraduate students annually over three summers (2026–2028), with particular recruitment emphasis on students from primarily undergraduate institutions, community colleges, and campuses with limited research infrastructure. Students will conduct independent, mentored research projects investigating cellular repair and renewal mechanisms across diverse animal models including zebrafish, axolotls, and other non-mammalian systems, providing comparative insights into healing and aging biology across the animal kingdom.

Beyond laboratory research, the program delivers comprehensive professional development through workshops in bioinformatics, advanced microscopy, and science communication, as well as a career snapshot series exposing participants to scientific career pathways in academia, industry, and policy sectors. Students will present findings at a student symposium and receive formal training aligned with NSF's biotechnology priorities. Program assessment utilizes standardized pre- and post-program surveys based on the BIO REU URSSA Common Assessment Template, supplemented by long-term tracking of student career outcomes. This award directly supports NSF's objective to strengthen the Nation's scientific workforce and promote participation in fundamental biological research.