Permit for Scientific Research and Collecting

Scientists gathering samples by a stream.

A Scientific Research and Collecting Permit is required for most scientific activities pertaining to natural resources or social science studies in National Park System areas that involve fieldwork, specimen collection, and/or have the potential to disturb resources or visitors. When permits are required for scientific activities pertaining solely to cultural resources, including archeology, ethnography, history, cultural museum objects, cultural landscapes, and historic and prehistoric structures, other permit procedures apply. The park's Permit Office can provide information regarding permit procedures, or answer questions regarding current research at Moores Creek National Battlefield.

How to Apply for a Research Permit

The National Park Service manages an internet-based system called the Research Permit and Reporting System (RPRS), which provides the following services if you are interested in obtaining permission to conduct a natural resource or social science study in a unit of the National Park System:

• Ability to review NPS scientific permit requirements and application procedures
• Ability to review permit conditions before beginning the permit application process
• Ability to review previous research conducted in a park before planning a new study
• Ability to review the types of research specific parks are interested in attracting
• Ability to complete and submit an application for a scientific research and collecting permit

To access the NPS Research Permit and Reporting System and learn more about the NPS scientific permit application process, please visit the RPRS website.