Specimen Donations

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (NMNH) ENCOURAGES DONATIONS OF SPECIMENS, SAMPLES, OBJECTS OR MATERIALS THAT ARE EITHER OF KNOWN ORIGIN OR ARE SOLICITED. NMNH COMPLIES WITH ALL U.S. EXPORT AND SANCTIONS LAWS, AS WELL AS FISH, WILDLIFE AND OTHER REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO THE IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION OF SPECIMENS AND RESEARCH MATERIALS. ALL SPECIMENS, SAMPLES, OBJECTS OR MATERIALS SHIPPED TO NMNH MUST BE PROPERLY LICENSED IF APPLICABLE AND OTHERWISE COMPLY WITH U.S. LAW. BY WAY OF ILLUSTRATION, PLEASE CHECK THE U.S. TREASURY OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL (OFAC) SANCTIONS PROGRAMS AND LISTS AND DO NOT SHIP SPECIMENS AND RESEARCH MATERIALS THAT ORIGINATED IN A SANCTIONED COUNTRY EVEN IF SUCH SPECIMENS AND RESEARCH MATERIALS ARE NOT CURRENTLY LOCATED THERE. 

THE MUSEUM DISCOURAGES UNSOLICITED SHIPMENTS. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING MAKING A DONATION PLEASE CONTACT THE MUSEUM IN ADVANCE. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE COLLECTIONS MANAGER OF THE APPROPRIATE MUSEUM DEPARTMENT.

Donating Specimens

We routinely accept, catalog and curate designated type and non-type specimens from all sub-divisions. Email the Deputy Collections Manager of the collection type and Paleo Registrar the donation details to begin the donation proposal process. 

• Donor name, institution/title and contact information (email, address, phone number) 
• Specimen data or description of the material.  If more than 5 specimens or lots, please provide an excel spreadsheet with the specimen data. Standard specimen data includes the following:
  • specimen identification 
  • specimen count and size (lots or estimated) 
  • collection locality data (country, state, locality, body of water, GPS coordinates, etc.). Please include any additional context information about collection of the specimen (grants, other collectors and institutions affiliated with trip,  
  • geologic/stratigraphic data (age, era, etc.) 
  • collector name with collection date 
  • Overview images of the specimen(s)  
• Copy of the permit or permission letter to collect. If this was a verbal agreement or if there are no papers, please provide a statement about the collection.  
  • If the specimen proposed for donation was first purchased, the donor will need to provide chain of custody from collection to purchase, purchase order receipt, and collector name, date and collection locality data.  

Do not send specimens and do not identify NMNH at the repository for the specimens until you receive written approval from NMNH.   

The department registrar (PaleoRegistrar@si.edu) will coordinate the shipment for physical transfer of accepted donations after completion of the donation paperwork. 

Donating Specimens for Publication

We routinely accept, catalog and curate designated type specimens. When specimens are intended for publication and USNM catalogs are required, share the publisher name or copy of editor’s acceptance letter, copy of the draft manuscript and all the information listed above for donations. 

Once accepted for publication, please send a pdf of each publication resulting from USNM deposited type specimens. 

Specimens approved for acquisition require the donation paperwork to be completed before reserving the USNM catalog numbers.  

The department registrar (PaleoRegistrar@si.edu) will coordinate the shipment for physical transfer of accepted donations after completion of the donation paperwork and acceptance for publication. 

If you are unsure of where to submit your request, please email PaleoRegistrar@si.edu.