Research Permits

Isle Royale National Park is host to approximately 20-30 research permits per year.

Sean Bailey

 

There is a long and rich history of scientific study of Isle Royale's natural and cultural resources. To conduct research within the park, a Scientific Research and Collecting Permit is required. This permit is required by federal law for scientific activities related to natural resources or social science studies within NPS units that involve fieldwork, specimen collection, and/or have the potential to affect park resources or visitors.

 

 

Resources

• RPRS Background and Overview
• Research Policies and Guidance
• Specimen Collections
• Investigator Annual Reports (IARs)

Research Permit Application Process

Applications are submitted through the on-line Research Permit and Reporting System (RPRS). Permits are issued by individual parks and researchers can contact park Research Permit Coordinators for assistance with this process.

All applications are reviewed within each park for scientific integrity, compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other applicable laws and policies.

Research permit applications are due by April 1st annually to allow for adequate interdisciplinary team review where warranted. Isle Royale Specific Research permit conditions will be provided to researchers during the permit application process.

 

Apply for a Research Permit

For detailed information on conducting research in national parks and how to apply for a research permit, reference the "For Researchers" guide.

 

Collection of Scientific Specimens

NPS units are legally mandated by 36 CFR 2.5 to ensure that specimens collected in the parks are labeled as NPS specimens and cataloged into the Department of Interior Museum database (ICMS). The specimens remain federal property in perpetuity but may be deposited at federally recognized repositories. Park Research Coordinators and Museum Curators work together with scientists performing research in parks to ensure that NPS curatorial requirements are met and that specimens and data will be preserved appropriately to safeguard their availability for future generations. After submitting your research application, you will be contacted by the park research coordinator or museum curator to discuss documentation of individual specimens and long-term storage of specimens that are not consumed during analysis.

 

Research in Wilderness

Isle Royale National Park is 99 percent federally designated wilderness. Research activities in wilderness will be reviewed for potential impacts to wilderness character (natural quality, untrammeled quality, undeveloped quality, and solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation). Applicants may be required to complete a minimum requirement analysis. It is recommended that researchers conducting activities in Wilderness complete the following training: The Wilderness Act of 1964.

 

Vertebrate Animal Research

Research projects involving vertebrate animals require approval by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Researchers should consult the NPS IACUC website to determine what documentation they should submit to the park research coordinator and to the NPS IACUC.

 

Approval of Social Science Surveys

Social science researchers conducting surveys in which 10 or more members of the public (park visitors, potential park visitors, and residents of communities near parks) will be asked the same set of questions, and in which the NPS sponsors the research, must get approval from the Federal Government Office of Management and Budget (OMB). NPS sponsorship is not limited to financial support and may include in-kind support, assistance with survey administration, involvement in development of survey instruments, etc. Studies in which information about people is collected only through observation are exempt from this requirement. Depending on the park, survey research may also require the scientific research and collecting permit mentioned above. Researchers who wish to conduct a study that requires OMB approval must submit a package of information to the NPS Social Science Division at least 60 days before the survey is to be administered. For details, see the NPS Social Science Division's Information Collection page.

 

Archeology

Permits are required under the Archeological Resources Protection Act. Researchers from outside NPS should first contact each park where they wish to conduct research. For more information about NPS-wide policies and procedures, see NPS Archeology Guide: Permits for Archeological Investigation.

 

Museum Collections and Archives

To request access to NPS collections and archives for all disciplines, researchers from outside the NPS should see Keweenaw National Historical Park Researcher Information.

 

Additional Permit Requirements

Overnight stays may require camping permits, proper food storage equipment, safety plans, and minimum impacts camping methods.

 

Contact Us

For more information about research permits and how to apply, please email the Isle Royale research permit office.

 

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  Small Party Camping Permits

  A small party permit (1-6 people) is required for all who stay overnight in campgrounds.

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  Research

  Read about the latest research efforts at the park and learn how to support those endeavors.

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  Wood Frog

  Isle Royale Research and Monitoring

  "Frog loggers" record amphibian sounds around Isle Royale. Learn more about research conducted across Isle Royale.