Procedure for Permits Approval 

Las Cruces: Rakan (Zak) Zahawi (permits.lc@tropicalstudies.org)

La Selva: Ronald Vargas (permits.ls@tropicalstudies.org) 

Dear Researcher

Thank you for your interest in doing research at our field stations. In order to do research you will need at least two things: 1. Approval from the Station Director (Carlos de la Rosa – La Selva; Zak Zahawi – Las Cruces) and a research permit from MINAE (Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía). The procedures that you need to follow to obtain these permits are outlined below.

Approval from the Station Director

To obtain this approval you should send a brief e-mail message to permits.ls@tropicalstudies.org (La Selva) and/or permits.lc@tropicalstudies.org (Las Cruces), with a copy of your research proposal and the research approval form (attached to this document) filled out. 

If there are no special considerations, you will receive your approval letter within two weeks. Special considerations would include exportation of samples for DNA analysis, plans to manipulate vertebrates or to euthanize animals, work with endangered or invasive species, or a request to set up permanent plots. If your proposal does involve some of the above-listed factors, you will probably need the approval of LSAC (La Selva Advisory Committee) or LCAC (Las Cruces Advisory Committee). In this case the process will require more time for approval. 

Once you have received a site support letter, follow the procedure indicated in this link:
http://www.tropicalstudies.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=666&Itemid=771 

The research and exportation permits are valid for six months for foreigners. Costa Ricans and people with resident status need to renew on an annual basis. You must re-apply and send in all paperwork again to obtain your renewal, whether it is on an annual or semiannual basis. MINAE will also ask you to provide a report of your previous work as a condition of renewing your permit or getting another permit for a different project. 
RESEARCH APPROVAL FORM FOR LA SELVA/LAS CRUCES 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Please fill out the following information completely. If you want to add other information that you consider important, include it in the Comments Section (IV). Do not forget to sign and date the document at the end. 

I. DETAILS OF PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER 

a) Name: 

b) Address: 

c) email: 

d) Institutional affiliation (University and Department): 

e) Passport number: 

f) Country of Origin: 

g) Who will handle the MINAET permit process: 		You			OTS 	

II. DETAILS OF ASSISTANTS 

a) Name(s): 
III. GENERAL DETAILS OF PROJECT 

a) Project title (English and Spanish): 

b) Dates of your study: 

c) Indicate if your project will be at La Selva or Las Cruces (or any other location): 

IV. PROJECT DETAILS (can include here or preferably attach separate 1-2 page summary) 

a) Project summary: 

b) Introduction: 

c) Significance of proposed work: 

d) Objectives: 

e) Methods (in sufficient detail to determine if there will be a resulting impact): 

f) Appendices: 

g) Any additional comments: 

V. COMMITMENTS AS A RESEARCHER AT LA SELVA/LAS CRUCES 

According to MINAE, every researcher that collects specimens must deposit two voucher specimens: One at the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica and another at the Universidad de Costa Rica. An official letter should be obtained from these institutions indicating the receipt of these vouchers. In addition, a duplicate of any specimen collected at Las Cruces or La Selva must be deposited at the station herbarium. 

You must submit a brief report of your project to La Selva/Las Cruces every year, or when you finish your investigation, including results and conclusions. You must have a valid MINAE permit during the entire time of your research. 

You will need approval of IACUC to work with animals (if your home institution is in the US) or from an equivalent agency in your home country. Please check with IACUC representatives at your home institution to see whether your project requires their approval. 

We strongly suggest the use of biodegradable materials for marking plants, if it is not a long-term research project. If your study is sensitive (i.e., you do not want anyone to walk through it or alter a particular area), you must inform the Station Director and the GIS lab manager. 

You are responsible for reviewing the Operations Manual for the station in which you plan on working. They are available for downloading on the main Las Cruces/La Selva website. Pay particular attention to the semi-restricted and restricted areas on the La Selva and Las Cruces maps to make sure you are not working in an area that will interfere with someone else’s project. 

If you have any question about sites and plots, please contact the GIS lab manager ahead of time or when you arrive at La Selva or Las Cruces. 

- The current GIS La Selva lab manager is Ricardo Sandí: ricardo.sandi@tropicalstudies.org
- The current GIS Las Cruces lab manager is Yerlyn Blanco: yerlyn.blanco@tropicalstudies.org . 

I AGREE WITH THE COMMITMENTS MENTIONED ABOVE 

DATE: 

NAME 

SIGNATURE: