Natural Science Collections Alliance
Our members are part of an international community of museums, botanical gardens, herbariums, universities and other institutions that house natural science collections and utilize them in research, exhibitions, academic and informal science education, and outreach activities.
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has launched the 6th Annual Faces of Biology Photo Contest. The competition recognizes scientists who use imagery to communicate aspects of biological research to the public and policymakers. “Over the past five years, this contest has been effective at showing the public and decision-makers what the scientific process […]
The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) is organizing a six-week botanical expedition to the two largest islands in the Independent State of Samoa, Savaii and Upolu. The field work will focus on the goal of botanical exploration of poorly known and botanically diverse habitats on these islands and to document and provide data critical to […]
The concerns of the collections community, including living and stock collections, about the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) decision to suspend funding for the Collections in Support of Biological Research program has captured the interest of the science media. Barbara Thiers, Vice President of the NSC Alliance was interviewed by Nature about the funding hiatus. “There’s […]
The NSC Alliance has provided testimony to the House Appropriations Committee requesting that Congress provide the National Science Foundation (NSF) with at least $8.0 billion in fiscal year 2017. This would represent an increase of $536.5 million for the agency over the current funding level, and could enable the agency to increase its funding rate […]
The Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois is seeking a collections manager for the mammal collection. This large, actively growing collection is home to many research and education initiatives by both resident and extramural scientists. Duties include overseeing all aspects of specimen preparation, identification, care, and organization of specimens; training, supervision and coordination of staff, students, […]
Three leading organizations that advocate for the preservation of natural history collections have voiced concerns about the National Science Foundation’s decision to halt the Collections in Support of Biological Research (CSBR) program. In a letter dated March 24, 2016, the organizations called for the agency to “reconsider this action, which can jeopardize the long-term care, […]
The NSC Alliance has called on Congress to adequately fund the preservation, curation, and digitization of natural history collections in fiscal year 2017. In testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, NSC Alliance expressed support for the new funding President Obama has requested for Interior and Smithsonian collections. For fiscal year 2017, […]
Earlier this week, the NSC Alliance learned that the National Science Foundation would place the Collections in Support of Biological Research (CSBR) on hiatus for fiscal year 2017. The NSC Alliance is deeply concerned by this announcement. In 2012, the NSC Alliance worked with other national organizations to oppose a proposal at that time to […]
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has initiated a national search for an Assistant Director for Geosciences (GEO). The Assistant Director will lead a directorate comprised of four divisions: Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, Earth Sciences, Ocean Sciences, and Polar Programs. Dr. Ralph Cicerone, President of the National Academy of Sciences, will head the search committee. Nominations […]
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is moving to a new headquarters. The agency’s new address effective March 23 is 955 L’Enfant Plaza North, SW, Suite 4000, Washington, D.C. 20024-2135. The IMLS email addresses and telephone numbers will remain the same. Some IT systems will be offline during the move. The State Program Report […]