The National Parks Board recognises the importance of research in increasing the level of knowledge of Singapore’s wildlife. Scientific research provides crucial information needed for strategic planning, management, decision-making, identification of information gaps and basis for establishing programmes for long-term ecological monitoring and sustainability of biological diversity. To facilitate research, permits are issued under the authority of the National Parks Board Act (Cap. 198A) and the Parks and Trees Act 2005 (Act 4 of 2005) and the Parks and Trees Regulation 2005.

Here are some frequently asked questions pertaining to research permits.

1. Who needs to apply for a research permit?

2. What types of activity require a research permit?

3. Do I have to pay a fee for the research permit application?

4. What information must I supply?

5. How do I submit my research permit application?

6. Who do I submit my research permit application to?

7. How long will it take to obtain my research permit?

8. How will I know if my application has been successful?

9. Can the research permit be transferred to other people or institutions?

10. Why do I need to contact a National Parks Board (“NParks”) officer or report to the       Ranger Station/Information Kiosk on site, at the start and end of my visit?

11. In addition to having the research permit, why do I need to wear a research pass       while out in the field?

12. Can I collect samples / specimens not specified in my research permit?

13. Can I collect samples/specimens in areas that are not specified in my research       permit?

14. Can I continue to use an expired research permit? What is the validity period       of the research permit?

15. What must I do to bring my specimen collections out of Singapore?

16. What must I do to bring specimen collections into Singapore?

17. Is the research permit valid for commercial bio-prospecting purposes?

Anyone intending to carry out taxonomic or ecological field studies or collect research material, whether for project-based, ad hoc or ‘prospective’ studies, in a national park, nature reserve or parkland under the management and maintenance of the National Parks Board must apply for a research permit from the National Parks Board. Singapore citizens as well as foreigners require a research permit.

The applicant who submits the research permit application should be the principal investigator / group leader. Up to five field assistants can be included in the same application. For research projects, which are conducted as part of a degree/course requirement of an educational institution, the supervisor/teacher may submit the application on behalf of the student(s).

All research projects involving taxonomic or ecological field studies or the collection of any material require research permits. Each individual project requires a separate research permit and separate applications should be submitted for each permit.

Persons conducting educational activities such as field courses do not need to apply for research permits. However, teachers conducting class projects for groups of 10 or more students should inform, in advance, the Park Manager of the park they intend to visit, even if no research is to be carried out.

No fee is required.

The minimum information required to assess and process your research permit application is indicated in the research permit application form. Please ensure that the application form is properly completed and submitted to enable us to process your application promptly. If additional information or clarification is required, we will contact you at the contact details stated in your application form.

You can submit your application via e-mail, fax, post, or in person. E-mails are preferred. Digital photos (either inserted as pictures in the application form or in separate jpeg image file) are acceptable. You may post the page containing your signature(s) to us separately, if you do not have access to a scanner / fax.

The National Biodiversity Reference Centre (NBRC) of the National Parks Board coordinates applications for conducting field research in a national park, nature reserve or parkland under the management and maintenance of the National Parks Board.

Please submit your research permit application form together with any supporting documents to:

Permits will usually be ready for collection within 14 working days from the date of receipt of the completed research permit application form and necessary documents. A longer processing period may be needed for multiple applications, for particular areas, or for complicated or large-scale collection projects. You are advised to submit your application early so that you can commence and finish your project on schedule.

Once your application has been approved, you will be contacted via email/fax to collect the research permit and research pass(es).

Research permit and pass(es) are not transferable.

You are only required to contact the officer or report at the kiosk at the appropriate site. This is meant to help you. For example, you may be setting up equipment that needs to be left undisturbed after your visit, or the officer may be able to help by re-scheduling other maintenance and development work, or public events that would otherwise clash with your research.

At the end of your visit NParks staff members should be able to check the material collected, any survey equipment or markings that need to be left intact, and the safety of you and your colleagues.

The principal researcher (or the primary designated field assistant) must carry the research permit at all times while out in the field.

The research permit (original or a photocopy) must be carried by the principal researcher (or the primary designated field assistant) at all times in the field. NParks officers may conduct checks from time to time to ascertain that only authorized research is carried out in the permitted areas. Please note that the research pass is invalid without a valid research permit.

No. Collecting samples/specimens that are not approved by NParks and that are not specified in your research permit is an offence under the Parks and Trees Act (Act 4 of 2005). NParks’ officers also have the authority to confiscate any unauthorised samples/specimens collected. NParks’ officers have the right to check your field collection(s) anytime at site.

No. You are not permitted to use your research permit for other area(s), unless prior permission is sought from NParks and written or verbal approval obtained from the respective Park Manager(s).

Each research permit has a validity period (usually one year or less), with an expiry date specified. You cannot use a research permit that has already expired.

You may, however, extend or renew the validity period of an expired research permit. Prior permission must be sought from NParks with reason(s)/justification(s) for the extension or renewal of a research permit that has already expired.

For longer periods you should seek to renew or re-apply for a new research permit. You will be asked to submit any outstanding progress/study reports before we consider your application for a new permit. For project studies that extend beyond two years, annual renewal of the research permit is required.

Applicants who wish to bring out any biological specimens for research purposes are to apply for a Letter of Authorisation and /or Export Permits (both valid for one month and for one-time usage only) from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA). Applications are to be supported with documents stating the nature of the research and are subjected to approval on a case-to-case basis.

The Letter of Authorisation (LOA) is applicable for export of live/dead/preserved terrestrial reptiles, amphibians, arachnids or other insects; while Export Permits apply to all other live/dead/ preserved fauna specimens, including mammals, birds, fishes, crustaceans, aquatic molluscs, turtles, marine sponges, and their tissue samples. In addition, please check with importing country on any further requirements needed prior to the import of the specimens.

Flora specimens (live/ dead / preserved plants including aquatic, ornamentals) can be exported with a phytosanitary certificate, or other pre-shipment treatment or lab certification as required by the importing country, from AVA. The phytosanitary application can be found at AVA's website http://www.ava.gov.sg (Under e-Services-Online application for phytosanitary certifiacte).

Please note for species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the export of CITES specimens (such as some orchids, butterflies or mammalian tissue samples) requires the application of an additional permit (CITES permit) from AVA. The CITES export permit would only be granted for legally acquired or collected specimens. Please visit the CITES website at http://www.cites.org to check if the specimen is of a CITES species, and also refer to AVA website at http://www.ava.gov.sg under Endangered Species>Permit Applications for procedures in exporting CITES specimens.

Applicants who wish to bring in any biological specimens for research purposes are to apply for a Letter of Authorisation and /or Import Permits (both valid for one month and for one-time usage only) from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA). Applications are to be supported with documents stating the nature of the research and are subjected to approval on a case-to-case basis.

The Letter of Authorisation is applicable for import of live/dead/preserved terrestrial reptiles, amphibians, arachnids or other insects; while Import Permits apply to all other live/dead/ preserved biological specimens, including mammals, birds, fishes, crustaceans, aquatic molluscs, turtles, marine sponges, plants and tissue samples. In addition, import of live animals / plants require veterinary / photosanitary certifications to certify the health conditions of the animals / plants. Please refer to AVA website at http://www.ava.gov.sg (under More Information>Application Forms) for the details.

Please note that for species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the import of CITES specimens requires the application of an additional permit (CITES import permit) from AVA. The CITES import permit would only be granted for legally acquired or collected specimens, and for which a CITES export permit has been obtained from the CITES authorities of the exporting country. Please visit the CITES website at http://www.cites.org to check if the specimen is of a CITES species, and also refer to AVA website at http://www.ava.gov.sg (Under Endangered Species>Permit Applications) for procedures on importing CITES specimens.

NB: Applications for AVA Permits and Letter of Authorisation can be made in person at 5 Maxwell Road, Tower Block MND Complex #02-00 Singapore 069110, or via Fax at 65-62276305 (for AVA import / export permit applications) or 65-63257646 (for LOA applications) using the application form found at AVA's website http://www.ava.gov.sg (under More Information>Application Forms).

You are required to specify in the research permit application form whether the research is for commercial or non-commercial purpose. If it is for commercial purpose, we will need to consult with other agencies in Singapore and we will need to negotiate a benefit-sharing agreement. If your research is at present non-commercial, but there is a potential for commercial spin-offs later, you will need to engage in a separate negotiation process at that time. A false declaration, or failure to specify commercial intent, may lead to withdrawal of an existing research permit and refusal of future research permits, for the researcher(s) and their institution(s).

Please contact Deputy Director, National Biodiversity Reference Centre, National Parks Board, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, or Fax:
(65) 6467 1912, for the terms relating to access to genetic resources for commercial / bio-prospecting requests in Singapore."