Anyone entering the Yukon for research purposes must obtain a Scientists and Explorers Act Licence (S&E).
Before you apply
Allow for processing time
We recommend that you apply 3 months before research is scheduled to begin. This is in case your project needs additional licensing or permitting.
Research in national parks
If your research is only taking place within a national park in Yukon, you don't need a Scientist and Explorers licence. Instead, you need to apply for a Parks Canada Research and Collection permit.
If your research takes place in the national park and other locations in Yukon, you need to apply for both the:
- Scientists and Explorers Licence; and
- Parks Canada Research and Collection permit.
Visit the Parks Canada website to learn more.
Research on First Nation traditional territories
Contact the First Nations governments in your research area ahead of time. You may need other permits or permissions depending on where the research is taking place. See the section on additional permits, licences and special requirements.
Archaeological research
If you are doing archaeological research, you will need an Archaeological Sites Regulation Permit, not a Scientists and Explorers Act Licence.
Apply
- Be aware of the licence requirements for the geographical area in which you'll be working. These will vary depending on your project.
- Contact the First Nation in whose traditional territory you'll be working. For research on the Yukon North Slope, contact the Inuvialuit. All areas of Yukon are in the traditional territories of Yukon and transboundary First Nations, or the in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.
- Provide confirmation of who you contacted at which First Nation and when.
- Include any letters of approval or support in your application.
- For projects within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, you must contact (as appropriate):
- the Environmental Impact Screening Committee (EISC), to review your proposed project;
- the Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee (AHTC);
- the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope) (WMAC[NS]);
- the Inuvialuit Game Council (IGC); and
- the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC).
- Complete the application form and attach any related documents.
- Submit your application. Email is preferred.
Email: [email protected]
Mail:
Government of Yukon
Manager, Museums and Heritage (L-1)
Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6
We will review your application and refer it for comment to appropriate:
- territorial and federal agencies;
- committees, councils and/or corporations; and
- Yukon First Nation governments.
Archaeological research
If you are doing archaeological research, you will need an Archaeological Sites Regulation Permit, not a Scientists and Explorers Act Licence.
Additional permits and licences
Depending on your research, you may need other permits in addition to your Scientists and Explorers Act licence.
- A wildlife research permit for research that includes but isn’t limited to:
- habitat inventories;
- population inventories and distributions;
- genetic testing; and
- research that includes the capture or harvest of wildlife.
- Migratory bird permits for research involving migratory birds.
- A park permit for research in a territorial park.
- A research and collection permit for research in a national park.
- An environmental impact screening committee process under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement for research at Herschel Island and on the Yukon North Slope.
- An access permit for access and work within highway right-of-ways.
- A land use permit for land use access.
- A Dempster Highway development permit for using motorized vehicles off-road on the Dempster Highway corridor.
- A camping permit for use of Yukon campgrounds.
- A wilderness tourism licence for taking clients into the wilderness.
- A research application for work in the Traditional Territory of the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation.
Working on Settlement Land
To work in an area on Yukon First Nation Settlement Land or in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, you must obtain permission. You need written confirmation of consultation and consent.
Read about access, rights and obligations on Settlement Land. These lands are covered under the:
- Yukon First Nation Final Agreements;
- Inuvialuit Final Agreement; and
- the (Tetlit) Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement.
Maps
- View a map of Traditional Territories and Settlement Areas.
- Use the Yukon Lands Viewer to find land-use maps.
- Find additional maps of Yukon.
If your application is successful, we ask that you submit 2 reports.
- An interim report, reflecting the status of the project and work completed. This report is recommended. It's due 2 months after you finish fieldwork.
- A final report when the project is completed. This report should detail findings and highlight the significance of the research. It's mandatory, and is due within 1 calendar year of the completion or termination of the project.
The Arctic Institute of North America maintains a database of research projects in the Yukon called ADA: Arctic Discovery & Access.
Connect to the Arctic Science and Technology Information System.
For questions, email [email protected] or phone the senior manager, Heritage( L-2A) 867-667-3660 or toll free 1-800-661-0408 ext. 3660.