University of Michigan Biological Station

The University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) has been home to scientific discovery since its founding in 1909. Our core mission is to advance environmental field research, engage students in scientific discovery, and provide information needed to understand and sustain ecosystems from local to global scales. In this cross-disciplinary, interactive community, students, faculty, and researchers from around the globe come together to learn about the natural world and seek solutions to the critical environmental challenges of our time.

    Year Founded
    Year Joined OBFS
    2023
    Size of Field Station (hectares)
    5001-10000
    FSML Web Address
    https://lsa.umich.edu/umbs

    Private nonprofit organization?
    No
    Universities affiliated / Parent Organization
    University of Michigan
    Federal, state, or local governmental partners?
    No
    Member of the Virtual Field
    No

    Additional Information

    Private nonprofit organization?
    Names of Universities affilated
    0
    Federal, state, or local governmental partners?
    No
    Name of partner
    Tribal partners/users
    Yes
    MSI/HBCU users
    No
    Community College users
    Yes
    Member of the Virtual Field
    No

    Visiting a FS/ML

    Open to the Public
    Yes
    Year round staff
    11-20
    Seasonal staff
    6-10
    Overnight housing facilities/# of beds
    50+
    Distance to emergency services
    21-40 minutes
    Library
    Yes
    Hiking trails
    Yes
    Internship employment
    Yes

    Environmental Information

    Biomes
    Temperate Forest and Boreal Forest
    Minimum Elevation
    101-300 meters
    Maximum Elevation
    101-300 meters
    Köppen climate classification
    D (continental)
    Freshwater habitats
    Yes
    Urban or rural
    Agricultural fields
    No

    Research

    REU host station
    Yes
    Dry lab space
    Yes
    Wet Lab space
    Yes
    Research vessels available
    Yes
    GIS capacity on site
    Yes
    Long term data sets
    Yes
    On site herbarium or voucher species
    Formal Data Management Plan
    Yes
    Mesocosms, plots, stream diversions, or other sets ups for outdoor manipulative experiments
    Yes
    Date Joined OBFS
    January 14, 2026

    News And Updates

    Apply for Spring and Summer Courses at U-M Biological Station

    The priority deadline is March 15, 2026, for students to apply for field courses and scholarships during the four-week spring and summer terms at the University of Michigan Biological Station….

    Read More

    Apply by March 15 for 2026 Undergraduate Research Fellowships at Michigan Field Station

    The University of Michigan Biological Station is recruiting students from across the country for its undergraduate research fellowship program that runs June 15 – Aug. 7, 2026, and includes mentors,…

    Read More

    U-M Biological Station: Submit Research Proposals and Fellowship Applications for 2026 Field Season

    The University of Michigan Biological Station will, once again, offer a Nature Day Camp for children to support families on campus. Submit your research proposals and fellowship applications by Feb….

    Read More