Small Collections Grant
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Digitization, curation, and long-term preservation of the macrofungal collection of the Colombian National Herbarium (COL)
Colombia
Database, Curate specimens, Digitally image, Process backlog, Ship to another institution, Conserve, Other
Cost (USD):
3000
COL
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Objective:
To improve accessibility, long-term preservation, and taxonomic usability of the macrofungal collection of the Colombian National Herbarium (COL) through coordinated digitization, curation, and conservation actions. The project will digitize approximately 1,000 macrofungal specimens, process and curate a backlog of 500 specimens including type material, upgrade long-term preservation conditions, mobilize standardized biodiversity data through institutional databases and GBIF, while strengthening regional capacity through hands-on training in herbarium management and data mobilization.
Timetable:
Months 1–2: Project setup, acquisition of conservation materials, and workflow training for personnel and students.
Months 3–10: Digitization and metadata standardization of approximately 1,000 specimens; implementation of imaging workflows; mounting and taxonomic curation of backlog specimens; replacement of non-archival storage materials and preventive conservation actions.
Months 9–11: Database quality control, metadata validation, and integration into institutional databases; preparation and publication of digitized datasets through GBIF. Preparation of duplicated to be donated to other herbaria.
Throughout the project: Training activities (three) in digitization, curation, and collection management to strengthen local capacity.
Month 12: Final evaluation, reporting, and dissemination of project outcomes.
Scoring Rubric
Reviewer's name:
Collection Improvement (max. 120 points)
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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.
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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.
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Curating specimens (e.g., updating families, species identification, identifying types) – up to 20 points.
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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.
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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)
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Match between the proposed budget and methods for the aims described – up to 10 points.
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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.
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Sharing duplicate specimens with other herbaria – up to 10 points.
This proposal scores:
/40
Broader Impacts (max. 40 points)
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Degree of regional importance of the collection or the taxonomic importance of the targeted collection – up to 10 points.
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The project will yield durable benefits (specimens, digitized metadata, databases, websites) – up to 15 points.
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The project involves outreach/mentoring and broad dissemination – up to 15 points.
This proposal scores:
/40
2016
Year of last successful SCG application:
Has applicant applied for SCG before?:
Yes, and it was successful
Plan:
The project will implement coordinated digitization, curation, and conservation workflows following international herbarium standards. Specimen metadata will be standardized and databased using institutional collection management systems aligned with Darwin Core standards. Approximately 1,000 macrofungal specimens will be digitized and imaged using a standardized photographic workflow to enable digital accessibility and interoperability with global biodiversity infrastructures such as GBIF. A backlog of approximately 500 specimens, including type material, will be curated through mounting, labeling, taxonomic verification, and metadata completion. Non-archival storage materials will be replaced with acid-free conservation supplies to improve long-term preservation. Digitized records will be prepared for open publication through biodiversity data platforms. The project will also include hands-on training activities for students and early-career researchers focused on digitization workflows, specimen handling, and biodiversity data publication, ensuring sustainability of collection management practices beyond the project duration. These integrated actions will transform currently underutilized specimens into accessible scientific resources supporting taxonomic research, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation planning.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
Training students and early-career researchers in digitization, curation, and biodiversity data mobilization
"Other" target:
Viviana
Motato Vásquez
Applicant Last Name/s: