Apply for a Scientists and Explorers Act Licence

Anyone entering the Yukon for research purposes must obtain a Scientists and Explorers Act Licence (S&E).

COVID-19 update for the Scientists and Explorers licensing program

While we're continuing to accept applications, there may be delays in the review and comments process. There may be limited capacity at reviewing agencies and Yukon First Nations due to COVID-19 impacts.

We will issue licences provided that applicants follow the direction of Yukon's Chief Medical Officer of Health in regards to self-isolation when entering Yukon.

We encourage applicants to include a self-isolation plan in their applications. Please note that an S&E licence is not a licence to enter Yukon free from self-isolation requirements.

Find information for people entering Yukon.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss please email scientists.explorers@yukon.ca.

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

Research in national parks only

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.

Visit the Parks Canada website to learn more. 

Research in national parks and elsewhere

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. 

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

1. Be aware of the licence requirements for the geographical area in which you'll be working. These will vary depending on your project. 
    
2. 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).
        
3. Complete the application form and attach any related documents.
    
4. Submit your application. Email is preferred.
   Email: scientists.explorers@yukon.ca
   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.

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.

1. 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.
    
2. 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 listing of all permitted research projects in Yukon. This list is in the Arctic Science and Technology Information System (ASTIS) database.

When using the database, search for Geographic Code "G0811 – Yukon".

Connect to the Arctic Science and Technology Information System.