Collaborating with GLERL

The NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory places an emphasis on partnerships and collaborations. Below please find information about how to work with us and who to contact. Our main laboratory located is in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Our field station is positioned along the shores of Lake Michigan in Muskegon, Michigan. Our research vessels move throughout the Great Lakes during the field season.
Research Partnerships
  • GLERL frequently collaborates with external scientists and organizations by submitting joint proposals or coordinating on other agreements. Because these proposals commit GLERL resources, they undergo a review and approval process to ensure the work supports GLERL’s mission and can be successfully executed.

  • GLERL’s Principal Investigator on a project is responsible for developing a GLERL budget and project summary as well as a briefing to management on the proposal. Please ensure 2 weeks of review time to complete this review and approval process.

  • For letters of collaboration:
  • NOAA GLERL does not issue Letters of Support. If you would like a Letter of Collaboration, please work with your GLERL PI to draft a letter for submission to Laura Newlin. Please note: The GLERL Director will need a two week turnaround time to sign any Letters of Collaboration.
  • Contact: Laura Newlin
  • For Cooperative Institute-led proposals reliant on NOAA resources:
Vessel Operations
  • GLERL partners often work on our vessels. When doing so, they are governed by vessel operations procedures designed to ensure the safety and environmental compliance and appropriate use of vessel operations.

  • A minimum of two weeks prior to embarking on a cruise, the Chief Scientist for a cruise needs to submit a cruise plan as well as a vessel on-boarding request form (VORF). Note that foreign nationals may need a longer lead time as they require NOAA’s Office of Security clearance.
    • The cruise’s Chief Scientist shall download and fill out the GLERL Cruise Plan Form and submit to the Marine Superintendent, Dennis Donahue and Safety Officer, L.T. Moore a minimum of 2 weeks before the vessel departure. Any questions or concerns based upon the cruise plan will be communicated to the Chief Scientist of the cruise.
    • The VORF ensures all personnel boarding a vessel are cleared and approved to sail.
  • GLERL schedules vessel operations on an annual basis to support its execution plan for each fiscal year. Therefore, collaborations using GLERL vessels should be planned as well in advance as possible. Concepts should first be discussed with the GLERL Marine Superintendent, Dennis Donahue. Once concepts are agreed upon, requestors must work with the OSAT Branch Chief to prepare a formal external proposal. The OSAT Branch Chief will submit it on your behalf to the GLERL management team for approval.
Hosting an Event at GLERL Facilities
  • GLERL hosts meetings in conjunction with key partners with the following caveats:
    • The event is related to the NOAA mission and you have a NOAA on-site sponsor.
    • GLERL has space and resources to appropriately support the goals of the meeting.
    • An Event Hosting Form is submitted and approved by GLERL Director.
  • Contact: Rita.Williams@noaa.gov
Data Access
Job Opportunities, Internships, and Fellowships
  • Job Opportunities
  • Student Fellowships - In partnership with NOAA GLERL, the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) offers two fellowship programs that support student research opportunities. For more, visit the CIGLR website at ciglr.seas.umich.edu/opportunities/student-fellowships
  • NOAA Office of Education Scholarships
  • Visiting Scientists: GLERL considers visiting scientists on a case-by-case basis and requires visiting scientists to work directly in collaboration with a federal scientist. Please inquire directly with a GLERL research staff member about opportunities.
Visiting GLERL