Research process and permits

To initiate research at IBSL, contact our Station Scientist at [email protected] with the subject line “New Research Inquiry”. Include any relevant details about your project idea, such as equipment you might need or species/habitats you are looking for. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – we are here to help!

Once you have confirmation from the Station Scientist that IBSL can accommodate your research, you may submit your IBSL Research Permit application (refer to the copy of application questions to prepare your application). To submit your application, fill out the form through the link below:

Apply for IBSL Research Permit

Please allow up to 2 weeks for confirmation that your application has been accepted for review. 

Note that all student researchers must have an advisor submit a Faculty Advisor Support Form to accompany their research permit application.

You will receive a confirmation email from the Station Scientist when your application has been accepted for review. A confirmation number specific to your project will be included in the email. You will then able to reserve lodging by emailing [email protected] with the subject line "Lodging Request for Research Project (insert project confirmation number here)". Details about housing options are available on our lodging webpage. 

Researchers are responsible for obtaining appropriate state and federal permits. We are here to help if you have questions about which permits are needed. Email the Station Scientist at [email protected] for assistance.

• State Permits: Depending on your research subject and where you intend to conduct research, you may need to apply for multiple DNR research permits. All research activities within Itasca State Park require a Minnesota DNR Parks and Trails permit. Additional DNR permits may be required if your work involves endangered species, fisheries, Scientific Natural Areas, and other special topics. Refer to the link below to learn more about DNR permitting requirements:

DNR Research Permitting Info

• Federal Permits: Some work may also require federal permits. Please check to ensure your proposed project complies with all federal requirements. Information on federal permits required for research activities involving vertebrates is included in Table 1 of "Wildlife Researchers Running the Permit Maze."
• IACUC and IBC: Projects that include handling vertebrates or biological agents may require protocols approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). External researchers should check with their home institution for similar requirements.

Researchers must send copies of their other permits and approvals in order for their IBSL Research Permit to be approved. 

Approval of your IBSL Research Permit is contingent on the following:

1. All researchers and associated project personnel must read and agree to follow IBSL policies and code of conduct.
2. The project PI has obtained correct permits and institutional approvals and provided current copies to the Station Scientist at [email protected].
3. All researchers and associated project personnel must complete project-specific safety and ethics trainings. Researchers from institutions outside of the University of Minnesota should complete their trainings through their own institutional portals. PIs are responsible for maintaining records of these trainings.
4. All researchers and associated project personnel must review IBSL Field and Laboratory Safety Information and general IBSL Health and Safety Information. PIs should use this information to develop a project-specific field safety plan which should be communicated to all members of your research team.
5. PIs from institutions outside of the University of Minnesota who plan to use laboratory space must sign and submit the IBSL Laboratory Use Agreement form.
6. All researchers and associated project personnel planning to use IBSL motorized watercraft must submit the IBSL Motorboat Protocol Agreement form.
7. All researchers and associated project personnel planning to use the IBSL ranger for winter fieldwork must submit the IBSL Polaris Ranger Protocol Agreement form.
8. Researchers affiliated with the University of Minnesota whose work involves Tribal partners and/or resources must adhere to the UMN Indigenous Research Policy and complete the Tribal-University Relations training. Researchers from institutions outside of the University of Minnesota are also encouraged to view and follow the Indigenous Research Policy.
9. The project PI agrees to inform IBSL of publications, completed thesis/dissertation, and published datasets resulting from fieldwork at the station and will send IBSL copies of annual permit reports.
10. The project PI is responsible for cleaning up all equipment and supplies before departing the station. Anything left behind must be labeled with a name, permit number, and communicated to the Station Scientist.

After IBSL has received all the information described above, including any external permits and internal station forms, the Station Scientist will send you the IBSL Research Permit fill out and sign. Once you have filled it out, return the permit to [email protected] for the Station Scientist signature. You will be emailed the final signed copy for your records. Once you receive this, you are approved to begin work at the station. 

Most state and federal permits require an interim report to be submitted annually, usually near the end of the calendar year. Many permits also require a final report to be submitted at the conclusion of a project. Your permit document will specify necessary information to include and the deadline for submitting reports.

 Be sure to submit all reports where appropriate, and send copies of all reports to the Station Scientist at [email protected] for station record keeping. 

Guidelines on acknowledgements and affiliations

When presenting or publishing work resulting from a project supported by IBSL, we ask that you include the station in your acknowledgements. We recommend writing a statement similar to the following:

“We thank the University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories for providing logistical support.”

For presentations, include the IBSL logo. You can view and download the png files using the links below:

• Black logo – print version and web version
• White logo – print version and web version

For projects with a larger Itasca component (e.g. a significant portion of data collection, lab/fieldwork, etc.), it may be more appropriate to list the station as an institutional affiliation. Please consult with the Station Scientist at [email protected] to determine if this applies to you. Affiliated researchers at IBSL should list the station as an affiliation using the following information:

Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories, 28131 University Circle, Lake Itasca, MN 56470 USA

Sharing research products

Please inform the Station Scientist of publications, completed theses/dissertations, and published datasets resulting from IBSL-based work.