Small Collections Grant
This page is used to provide assessment scores for each grant application assigned to you. Please use the rubric below the grant details to enter your assessment scores and any notes you wish to include.
Please note that all scores entered must be whole numbers (no decimals), or you will be unable to save this form.
Digitisation of NAI (University of Nairobi-[UoN]) herbarium
Kenya
Database, Digitally image
Cost (USD):
1970
NAI
University of Nairobi
Objective:
The University of Nairobi (NAI) holds a collection of c. 100,000 specimens of vascular & non-vascular plants, & a rich carpological collection. Among these, are collections by A. Agnew (author of one of the most comprehensive works on Kenyan flora); as well as duplicates of other major herbaria such as Kew (K) and East Africa (EA) herbarium; types and material of endemic & economic species. We propose a 2-year project to fully database and digitise our collections, make these unique collections available to the local and international taxonomic community, and enhance taxonomic training at UoN
Timetable:
2023
Jan-March
• Acquisition of imaging equipment
• Databasing/Digitisation Coordinator hired
• Online Training in Databasing and Specimen imaging: Coordinator
April-Jun
• Set up of the Databasing and Digitisation Officers Team
• Hands-on training of the Databasing and Digitisation Officers Team
• Specimen Databasing starts
• Specimen Digitisation starts
Jul-Dec
• Specimen Databasing
• Specimen Imaging
• Website development
• Integration with online taxonomic and specimen databases
2024
Jan-March
• Midterm monitoring and evaluation of specimen Databasing and Digitisation activity and website updates
• Refresher training of the Databasing and Digitisation Officers Team where necessary
April-Dec
• Complete specimen Databasing and Digitisation finalised
• Evaluation, data sharing and final reports
Scoring Rubric
Reviewer's name:
Collection Improvement (max. 120 points)
-
Facilitating access to the physical collections by digitization (e.g., data entry, setting up database structure with an outline of the platform to be used, purchasing equipment, and imaging specimens) – up to 30 points.
-
Enhancing physical collections by improving the conservation status of specimens in the herbarium (e.g., better folders, protecting covers, mounting paper, labeling, etc.) – up to 30 points.
-
Curating specimens (e.g., updating families, species identification, identifying types) – up to 20 points.
-
Increasing our understanding of the flora or funga by making new herbarium specimens available, such as processing of backlog or collecting and mounting of new specimens from understudied sites – up to 20 points.
-
Securing collections by distribution of duplicates (or orphan collections) to other regional or international herbaria or shipping endangered collections to another herbarium – up to 20 points.
This proposal scores:
/120
Methods & Funding (max. 40 points)
-
Match between the proposed budget and methods for the aims described – up to 10 points.
-
Perceived need, the extent to which the project will benefit from IAPT funding: e.g., due to active floristic work or contribution to poorly collected sites, due to threatened conditions of collections, and for the degree of involvement of others (outreach and education). We give more points for herbaria in low- and middle-income countries – up to 20 points.
-
Sharing duplicate specimens with other herbaria – up to 10 points.
This proposal scores:
/40
Broader Impacts (max. 40 points)
-
Degree of regional importance of the collection or the taxonomic importance of the targeted collection – up to 10 points.
-
The project will yield durable benefits (specimens, digitized metadata, databases, websites) – up to 15 points.
-
The project involves outreach/mentoring and broad dissemination – up to 15 points.
This proposal scores:
/40
Year of last successful SCG application:
Has applicant applied for SCG before?:
Plan:
A 2-year project will be set up to fully database and digitise the c 100,000 specimens hosted at NAI herbarium. The IAPT grant would be used for acquiring essential digitisation equipment, and the databasing and digitisation activities will be led by a part-time databasing/digitisation coordinator, with additional support from designated University staff, volunteers and students when applicable. A website will be developed for access to the database and images will be made publicly accessible in a range of platforms (JSTOR, GBIF) insofar as possible; support from the University will be sought for this objective.
The funding required from this proposal would be directed towards:
1. Equipment for databasing and digitisation of the collections;
2. Labour costs for a databasing/digitising coordinator.
Acquired equipment will focus on barcode scanner and barcodes, and photography equipment, such as a DSLR camera and associated equipment to set up the specimen imaging.
The databasing/digitising coordinator will receive online training from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and will be responsible for training and supporting additional University staff, volunteers and students in the imaging techniques, in the first month of the project, after which the University will seek to financially support the Coordinator’s activities through other funding sources.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
"Other" target:
Catherine Lukhoba
Applicant Last Name/s: