Biosafety Level 3 Program | Research & Innovation Office
Federal Executive Orders & Other Directives
University leaders are monitoring federal changes and executive orders that could affect research projects and programs (updated 12/15/25):
z.umn.edu/fed-impacts
Give
Biosafety Level 3 Program
BSL-3/ABSL-3 Research Laboratory Suites
BSL-3 Microbiology Research Laboratory
Plant Pathology Research Facility
Large Animal ABSL-3 Facility
> About BSL-3
Advisory Committee Meetings and Submission Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Contact BSL-3
The Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) Program provides management support and oversight for the University of Minnesota biocontainment facilities, which are designed to safely handle and store human, animal, and plant infectious agents or toxins.
This program also supports the development of projects using Risk Group 3 pathogens for research or clinical diagnosis.
Biocontainment facilities make possible development of new treatments, preventative vaccines, and diagnostic tests against Risk Group 3 pathogens and epidemiological surveillance for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases. The BSL-3 facilities are expected to stimulate both federal- and corporate-funded research and thus generate new employment opportunities.
Why do we need BSL-3 containment facilities?
Research with many infectious microorganisms requires specialized facilities. Depending upon the types of biological materials and their ability to cause human, animal, or plant disease, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide extensive guidelines for research facility design and procedures required for safe handling of infectious agents or their byproducts. These guidelines range from biosafety levels 1 to 4 (BSL-1 to BSL-4), based on the risks presented by the infectious agent. The containment guidelines help to maintain a secure environment that provides safety for research, researchers, and adjacent communities.
What BSL-3 containment facilities does the University have?
The University of Minnesota has state-of-the-art containment facilities for research and diagnostic work. Special engineering and design features are built into these facilities, including the ability to sustain constant negative pressure, which are required to prevent microorganisms from being accidentally released into the environment. The lab personnel adhere to strict operational guidelines that are designed to maximize safety and security, increase reliability, and improve effectiveness. Access to these laboratories is rigorously controlled. The containment facilities at the University of Minnesota include:
BSL-3/ABSL-3 Research Laboratory Suites
BSL-3 Microbiology Research Laboratory
Plant Pathology Research Facility
Large Animal ABSL-3 Facility
What are the objectives of the BSL-3 Program?
The BSL-3 Program  provides programmatic support and oversight for all activities within biocontainment facilities. Each facility is designed to perform specific activities involving Risk Group 3 agents. The BSL-3 Program ensures that a safe, secure, and productive research environment is sustained in these facilities. The main objectives of the BSL3 Program are to:
ensure that biocontainment facilities are built and maintained under the most stringent interpretation of federal guidelines for biocontainment facilities;
develop operating procedures that ensure personal, communal, and environmental safety;
provide education and training on the safe handling of BSL3 agents; and,
monitor biocontainment activities to ensure regulatory compliance.
For principal investigators and researchers, the BSL-3 Program will assist in developing operating procedures specific to the project that ensure research safety and compliance with internal and external regulatory agencies. The program will also maintain facility-specific documents required to obtain permits for handling BSL-3 agents and assist in garnering approvals from internal and external regulatory bodies.
The program is responsible for education and training of all personnel involved in BSL-3 operations and for monitoring compliance within biocontainment facilities. The ultimate goal is to sustain BSL-3 activities within a secure and safe environment that ultimately fosters research on Risk Group 3 pathogens.
About the Research & Innovation Office
Leadership
Interim Vice President for Research & Innovation
VPRI Search
RIO Leadership Team
E4 by Design
UMN Research Statistics
Administrative Support Units
Academic Centers & Institutes
Advisory & Oversight Committees
Council of Research Associate Deans (CRAD)
Community Oversight Board
Research Integrity & Safety Collaborative (RISC)
RIO Internal Policies
Staff List
Resources
Overview
Research Facilities & Expertise
Research Tools & Applications
Research Information Systems
The Office of Research Information Systems
ORIS Staff List
Research Animal Resources
Biosafety Level 3 Program
About BSL-3
Advisory Committee Meetings & Submission Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
Facilities
BSL-3/ABSL-3 Research Laboratory Suites
Related Resources
Contact BSL-3
International Research
International Research Support & Guidance
Disclosing Foreign Support to Federal Science Agencies
Conflicts of Commitment/Interest & Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
Hosting International Visitors, Scholars & Researchers
Traveling Abroad
International Institutional Agreements
Export Controls & Sanctions Compliance
Helpful Resources & Contacts
Funding & Awards
Research Development
RIO Funding & Awards
Artist-in-Residence
About Artist-in-Residence Awards
Award Recipients
Grant in Aid
About Grant-in-Aid
Exemplary Proposals
Awarded Equipment
Award Recipients
Frequently Asked Questions
NC A&T & UMN Research Partnership Award
About NC A&T & UMN Research Partnership Award
2025 Awards
2024 Awards
Research Infrastructure Investment Program
About the Program
Past Awards
National Security Research Institute Seed Grants
About National Security Research Institute Seed Grants
UMN-SNU Research Partnerships Seed Grants
About UMN – SNU Partnership Research Seed Grants
Innovation Impact Case Award
About the Innovation Impact Case Award
2025 Awardees
2024 Awardees
2023 Awardees
2022 Awardees
Research Technical Staff Award
2025 Awardees
2024 Awardees
2023 Awardees
2022 Awardees
Matching Funds
MnDRIVE Funding
Research Computing Funding
Review Committee
U of M Internal Funding
Limited Submissions
About the Limited Submissions Program
List of Opportunities
Proposals & Awards (SPA)
F&A Costs, Effort Reporting
Ethics & Compliance
Overview
Research Integrity & Compliance (RIC)
Human Research Protection
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Animal Care & Use (IACUC)
Biotechnology Activities Oversight (OBAO)
Export Controls
Conflict of Interest
Reporting Research Misconduct
Research Compliance Training Guide
Research Ethics Week
Industry & Partnership
Partnerships for Corporations & Industry
Building Successful Industry Partnerships
Research Agreements
Confidentiality Agreements
Starting a Company (Venture Center)
Technology Commercialization
Strategic Research Partnerships
National Security Research Institute
MnDRIVE
About MnDrive
Transdisciplinary Research Program
News & Announcements
News & Announcements
All Past News & Announcements
UMN Research Newsletter
UMN Washington Update