Obtain a Research Permit

Due to staffing constraints and curatorial backlog, the preserve is not accepting research applications for any new projects in 2025.

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve welcomes research projects designed to enhance the understanding of resources or systems for the purposes of park management and the advancement of broad scientific understanding.

Contact us prior to seeking funding for a project that will take place within the preserve, preferably at least one year in advance of submitting a research application. It is in your best interest to contact the park and get approval before your proposal is funded. Funding for your project does not guarantee a permit.

The permitting process typically requires 90 days. For projects to take place during the summer season (May 1 - Sept 30) submit your application or renewal by the last day of February. For winter season projects, submit your application 3 months prior to your anticipated start date.

To aid in the preparation of a successful application, researchers should first review the following documents:

• Guidelines for study proposals
• Applying for a research permit

Permit Requirements

A Scientific Research and Collection Permit, obtained through the online NPS Research Permit and Reporting System (RPRS) is required to conduct research on all NPS lands. This includes research conducted by NPS employees. Additional permits may be required per state and federal law, for example:

• Animal Welfare Act (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee permits)
• The Migratory Bird Treat Act of 1918
• The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979
• The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1973

Permitting Process

A research permit application submitted through RPRS is the first step. After an application is received, an integrated compliance review process will evaluate the proposed project for its scientific integrity and the appropriateness of research activities. Proposed projects will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary team (IDT) to evaluate:

• Is it necessary for this project to occur within the park and is the proposal in line with the NPS mission and the enabling legislation of the park (see applicable laws & policies)?
• Potential environmental impacts as required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).
• Potential impacts to cultural resources and historic sites within the park as required by the National Historic Preservation Act of 2001 (NHPA, Section 106) and the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA).
• Potential impacts to subsistence activities or the resources upon which they depend as required by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, 1980 (ANILCA, Section 810).
• Potential impacts to Wilderness lands as required by the Wilderness Act of 1964. More information on requirements/ considerations for and the Minimum Requirements Decision Guide (MRDG) used to guide park decision making.

Once you have submitted your proposal the Research Coordinator at the park will contact you to clarify any details or alert you to problems that might arise. The coordinator will meet with the park’s IDT, move your proposal through the evaluation process, provide you with updates periodically. In general, you can expect this process to take 3 or more months.

Address any questions throughout the permit process to the Research Coordinator at the preserve, Nicole Braem, [e-mail], (907)-759-8007

Research Permit Conditions

Every scientific research and collecting permit includes conditions. When an investigator signs a permit, they agree to abide by all conditions stated on it. Some conditions are specific to a single study in a park. Some are specific to all studies in a given park.

Below are the general conditions that apply to all permitted studies in all parks. They appear on every printed permit. Investigators may want to review these before applying for a permit.

General Conditions

Authority - The permittee is granted privileges covered under this permit subject to the supervision of the superintendent or a designee and shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations of the National Park System area and other federal and state laws. A National Park Service (NPS) representative may accompany the permittee in the field to ensure compliance with regulations.

Responsibility - The permittee is responsible for ensuring that all persons working on the project adhere to permit conditions and applicable NPS regulations.

False information - The permittee is prohibited from giving false information that is used to issue this permit. To do so will be considered a breach of conditions and be grounds for revocation of this permit and other applicable penalties.

Assignment - This permit may not be transferred or assigned. Additional investigators and field assistants are to be coordinated by the person(s) named in the permit and should carry a copy of the permit while they are working in the park. The principal investigator shall notify the park's Research and Collecting Permit Office when there are desired changes in the approved study protocols or methods, changes in the affiliation or status of the principal investigator, or modification of the name of any project member.

Revocation - This permit may be terminated for breach of any condition. The permittee may consult with park employees to clarify issues resulting in a revoked permit and the potential for reinstatement.

Collection of specimens (including materials) - No specimens (including materials) may be collected unless authorized on the Scientific Research and Collecting permit. The general conditions for specimen collections are:

• Collection of archeological materials without a valid Federal Archeology Permit is prohibited.
• Collection of federally listed threatened or endangered species without a valid U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service endangered species permit is prohibited.
• Collection methods shall not attract undue attention or cause unapproved damage, depletion, or disturbance to the environment and other park resources, such as historic sites.
• New specimens must be reported to the NPS annually or more frequently if required by the park issuing the permit. Minimum information for annual reporting includes specimen classification, number of specimens collected, location collected, specimen status (e.g., herbarium sheet, preserved in alcohol/formalin, tanned and mounted, dried and boxed, etc.), and current location.
• Collected specimens that are not consumed in analysis or discarded after scientific analysis remain federal property. The NPS reserves the right to designate the repositories of all specimens removed from the park and to approve or restrict reassignment of specimens from one repository to another. Because specimens are Federal property, they shall not be destroyed or discarded without prior NPS authorization.
• Each specimen (or groups of specimens labeled as a group) that is retained permanently must bear NPS labels and must be accessioned and cataloged in the NPS National Catalog. Unless exempted by additional park-specific stipulations, the permittee will complete the labels and catalog records and will provide accession information. It is the permittee’s responsibility to contact the park for cataloging instructions and specimen labels as well as instructions on repository designation for the specimens.
• Collected specimens may be used for scientific or educational purposes only and shall be dedicated to public benefit and be accessible to the public in accordance with NPS policies and procedures.
• Any specimens collected under this permit, any components of any specimens (including but not limited to natural organisms, enzymes or other bioactive molecules, genetic materials, or seeds), and research results derived from collected specimens are to be used for scientific or educational purposes only, and may not be used for commercial or other revenue-generating purposes unless the permittee has entered into a Cooperative Research And Development Agreement (CRADA) or other approved benefit-sharing agreement with the NPS. The sale of collected research specimens or other unauthorized transfers to third parties is prohibited. Furthermore, if the permittee sells or otherwise transfers collected specimens, any components thereof, or any products or research results developed from such specimens or their components without a CRADA or other approved benefit-sharing agreement with NPS, permittee will pay the NPS a royalty rate of twenty percent (20%) of gross revenue from such sales or other revenues. In addition to such royalty, the NPS may seek other damages to which the NPS may be entitled including but not limited to injunctive relief against the permittee.

Reports - The permittee is required to submit an Investigator’s Annual Report and copies of final reports, publications, and other materials resulting from the study. Instructions for how and when to submit an annual report will be provided by NPS staff. Park research coordinators will analyze study proposals to determine whether copies of field notes, databases, maps, photos, and/or other materials may also be requested. The permittee is responsible for the content of reports and data provided to the National Park Service.

Confidentiality - The permittee agrees to keep the specific location of sensitive park resources confidential. Sensitive resources include threatened species, endangered species, rare species, archeological sites, caves, fossil sites, minerals, commercially valuable resources, and sacred ceremonial sites.

Methods of travel - Travel within the park is restricted to only those methods that are available to the general public unless otherwise specified in additional stipulations associated with this permit.

Other permits - The permittee must obtain all other required permit(s) to conduct the specified project.

Insurance - If liability insurance is required by the NPS for this project, then documentation must be provided that it has been obtained and is current in all respects before this permit is considered valid.

Mechanized equipment - No use of mechanized equipment in designated, proposed, or potential wilderness areas is allowed unless authorized by the superintendent or a designee in additional specific conditions associated with this permit.

NPS participation - The permittee should not anticipate assistance from the NPS unless specific arrangements are made and documented in either an additional stipulation attached to this permit or in other separate written agreements.

Permanent markers and field equipment - The permittee is required to remove all markers or equipment from the field after the completion of the study or prior to the expiration date of this permit. The superintendent or a designee may modify this requirement through additional park specific conditions that may be attached to this permit. Additional conditions regarding the positioning and identification of markers and field equipment may be issued by staff at individual parks.

Access to park and restricted areas - Approval for any activity is contingent on the park being open and staffed for required operations. No entry into restricted areas is allowed unless authorized in additional park specific stipulations attached to this permit.

Notification - The permittee is required to contact the park’s Research and Collecting Permit Office (or other offices if indicated in the stipulations associated with this permit) prior to initiating any fieldwork authorized by this permit. Ideally this contact should occur at least one week prior to the initial visit to the park.

Expiration date - Permits expire on the date listed. Nothing in this permit shall be construed as granting any exclusive research privileges or automatic right to continue, extend, or renew this or any other line of research under new permit(s).

Other stipulations - This permit includes by reference all stipulations listed in the application materials or in additional attachments to this permit provided by the superintendent or a designee. Breach of any of the terms of this permit will be grounds for revocation of this permit and denial of future permits.

Park Specific Considerations

Numerous inholdings and Native allotments exist within Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. Be aware that allotments are private land and an NPS permit does not authorize access to or use of these lands. Researchers are directed to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources website to obtain title plats by township (designated as "Allotments" or "US Surveys").

The majority of Bering Land Bridge National Preserve has been identified as eligible Wilderness. Management restrictions may apply and affect approval of transportation methods, field work timing and frequency, group size and the use of mechanized or motorized tools. When planning for research in Wilderness areas, it is important that researchers limit their activities to the minimum necessary to meet the study objectives.

Please use ESRI ArcGIS compatible coordinates or shapefiles whenever possible when describing proposed field camps and collection locations.

All proposed destructive analyses must be approved by the Park Superintendent in advance, including those of previously-collected specimens existing in an approved repository. Third-party loans of specimens must also be approved by the Park Superintendent.

The park Museum Collections Manager, Molly Conley, [e-mail], (907-644-3495), can assist you with NPS requirements for collections, cataloging, accessioning and curation of specimens.

Visualization techniques and replication: Imaging and replication techniques such as computed tomography, x-ray photography, laser surface scanning, traditional molding and casting, 3D printing and prototyping must be approved in advance by the Museum Curator.