Museum of Northern Arizona
Research Associates Policy

MNA Research Associates (RA) Program

  • The RA program developed under these guidelines supersedes all other MNA policies, programs, or statements concerning unpaid research positions, effective on the date these guidelines are approved by the MNA Trustees.
  • This RA program is available for active, non-paid researchers, and is not intended to be either an honorary or permanent position, nor is it given in recognition for prior service or contribution to MNA. RA status is intended only for researchers actively pursuing research projects that clearly support MNA’s mission.
  • RA status is conferred by the MNA Director as a one-year appointment, renewable each January. Both the original appointment and annual renewal process begin with an application letter to the MNA Director, either directly from the applicant or through the MNA Curator who will be directing or collaborating with the research.
  • All RA positions are defined as a two-part understanding (Parts A and B, below) for detailed clarity, flexibility, and consistency.
  • Only the MNA Director may commit Museum resources of any kind to RAs, through part B of this understanding.
  • After reaching any needed agreement between the RA applicant and the MNA Director, the resulting signed and dated documentation will, in effect, serve as a memorandum of understanding or agreement between MNA and the RA, in as much detail as the MNA Director deems appropriate for the individual situation. Such documentation, however, will not constitute a binding legal contract, and may be terminated by either party, for any reason, through written notification.

Part A: General Conditions [for all applicants]

  • All RA applicants must demonstrate appropriate research standing, as described in a resume, curriculum vita, or letter(s) of reference or application.
  • Each RA applicant provides a brief statement of the proposed research activity, including its planned schedule, end product(s), and funding.
  • Each RA applicant agrees to:
    • accept responsibility for appropriately representing MNA to its various constituencies, and to the public
    • comply with all relevant MNA policies and procedures, including the MNA Code of Ethics, and with all relevant professional research and ethical standards
    • conduct research only under the terms of all relevant MNA, tribal, and agency permits, legal statutes, and regulations
    • notify the MNA Director or the directing Curator of any significant changes in the progress of the research
    • appropriately recognize MNA’s contribution in any/all research results, and provide copies of such results to MNA
    • be(come) a current member of MNA.

Part B: Project-Specific Conditions [unique for each applicant]

It is anticipated that RAs are likely to conduct their research as one of the following broad categories:

  • Volunteers who conduct research under the direction of MNA staff
  • Students (undergraduate, graduate, interns, etc.) who conduct research under the direction of either MNA staff, or that of a formally collaborating institution or agency, or both.
  • Participants in MNA-developed programs of research, such as scholars-in-residence, visiting scholars, retired scholars, junior scholars, etc.
  • Independent researchers who conduct their own research projects.

In each case, RA applicants will identify themselves in their application letter as either volunteers, as program participants, or as independent researchers. In addition, each applicant will provide, either programmatically or individually, as appropriate:

  • a plan or outline for the proposed research, including:
    • background and summary of the research topic
    • statement of the significance of the research to MNA and/or to the relevant discipline(s)
    • details of any MNA staff collaboration or involvement
    • needed access to MNA collections, records, or library
    • needed support services, access, space, equipment, or supplies
    • anticipated research results and their value to MNA
  • any special circumstances of the proposed research, including any benefits to, obligations of, or special expectations of either MNA or the RA
  • any anticipated royalty, patent, copyright, or intellectual property rights issues
  • copies of any required permits, institutional review documents, or formal permission required for the research letters of reference or support, as appropriate.

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