Learn about the NPS procedures and requirements for applying for scientific research and collecting permits.
Application Requirements and Procedures for Scientific Research and Collecting Permit (MS Word file)
Study Proposal Guidelines (MS Word file)
General Permit Conditions (MS Word file)
Instructions for Researchers (MS Word file)

Benefits sharing occurs when NPS receives monetary or other benefits from a discovery or invention with a commercial application resulting from research originating under an NPS Scientific Research and Collecting Permit, or other permit or authorization. To review and enter comments on this draft policy, go to http://www.nps.gov/applications/npspolicy/DOrders.cfm. The comment period closes January 22, 2013.

Learn about park needs for research and who in parks coordinates the processing of applications for scientific research and collecting permits.
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National Park Service's online research permit application process.
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National Park Service's online system for submitting IARs for research conducted within the parks.
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Search and review annual research accomplishment reports (the Investigator's Annual Report database).
Search IARs
Search Research Needs
Conditions for Outgoing Loans
General Park Information

Servicewide collections repository agreements offer long-term curation options that parks may use for the collection types covered by each agreement, such as natural history collections, T&E species, dendrochronology samples, and culture collections. Other options include curation in the park or at other NPS locations, or on loan to local or regional museums or to other museums with national or international scope. You may obtain these servicewide agreements and related documents at: Collections Info

Templates for transfer of collections data to the park museum collections manager assist researchers to collect specimen data and export it to the Interior Collections Management System, which NPS uses to catalog specimens that are permanently retained in the park museum collection. These templates assist researchers in meeting permit requirements to complete catalog records for specimens. The templates and related user instructions are at: Collections Info

Check Park Info for park permit coordinator and collections manager contact information, and for park-specific conditions and instructions.