Collections-Based Research to Understand the Natural World

The Canadian Museum of Nature is a scientific leader in species discovery and Arctic research.

A centrifuge balance.

Research

Our multidisciplinary team of scientists conduct leading-edge research in the natural sciences.

Lemming specimens arranged neatly in a tray.

Collections

Animals, fossils, minerals, plants and algae—more than 14.6 million specimens are preserved in Canada's natural-history collection.

A variety of mounted beetle specimens in collection trays.

Search Our Collections

Online Database

Access data from the museum's collections: search, map results, and download data and images. Search our collections.

Two people walk through brush.

Science Experts

The museum's multidisciplinary team specializes in collection-based research in the life sciences and Earth sciences.

Cupped hands holding a pile of coins that are sprouting a small plant.

Need Travel Funds?

Visiting-Scientist Awards

Doing collection-based systematics studies at the museum? We award travel grants. Apply now.

A view from a helicopter flying over a fjord.

Extraordinary Arctic

Check out this view on Arctic-related activities, events, research, etc. at the museum.

An interior page from Flora Londinensis.

Library and Archives

The library and archives are open by appointment. Search our catalogue online.