Small Collections Grant
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Restoration, backlog processing, digitalization and creating a shareable database of century old herbarium collections from NE Region of India
India
Database, Curate specimens, Digitally image, Process backlog, Ship to another institution, Conserve, Other
Cost (USD):
3000
GUBH
Gauhati University
Objective:
Digitization of 753 herbarium sheets of century old collections deposited at GUBH from different parts of NE India for creation of a database. Rescue of fragile sheets, replacement of old folders with acid-free folders. To re-curate the 753 specimens with nomenclatural update, barcoding and re-arrangement as per APG IV. Mounting of 315 specimens to clear the backlog and integrate them into the herbarium. Sharing duplicate specimens with Indian herbaria. Conducting 3 training and mentorship programs for UG/PG students on collection, processing, identification, mounting and digitization.
Timetable:
May–June 2026: Project initiation, procurement of essential equipment, development of digitization protocols, and preliminary condition assessment of 753 century-old herbarium sheets. Rescue and stabilization of fragile specimens will begin. July–August 2026: Continued stabilization including dry cleaning and minor repairs, replacement of old folders with acid-free folders, pilot digitization of ~60 sheets followed by digitization of ~140 specimens, mounting of ~50 backlog specimens, and Training & Mentorship Programme I for UG/PG students. September–October 2026: Digitization of ~140 specimens, nomenclatural verification using standard databases, and mounting of ~100 backlog specimens. November–December 2026: Digitization of ~140 specimens, completion of stabilization, mounting of ~100 specimens, preparation of duplicates, and Training & Mentorship Programme II. January–February 2027: Digitization of remaining ~133 specimens, mounting of remaining backlog, quality checks, APG IV-based rearrangement, and outreach activities. March–April 2027: Completion of all activities, database preparation, dispatch of duplicate final reporting, and dissemination of 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
0
Year of last successful SCG application:
Has applicant applied for SCG before?:
Yes, but it was unsuccessful
Plan:
The objectives of the project will be achieved through a structured, phased approach aligned with the proposed timetable. The project will commence with procurement of essential equipment, and preparation of standardized protocols for digitization, conservation, and data management. A detailed condition assessment of the 753 century-old herbarium sheets will guide priority-based rescue and stabilization using accepted herbarium conservation techniques, followed by rehousing in acid-free folders to ensure long-term preservation. Digitization will be carried out in stages, beginning with pilot testing to refine workflows and proceeding to full-scale imaging of specimens and labels. Parallel to it, backlog specimens will be mounted and incorporated into the herbarium. Re-curation will involve nomenclatural verification using updated floras and databases, barcoding, and systematic rearrangement of specimens following the APG IV classification. Duplicate specimens, where available, will be curated and shared with Indian herbaria to strengthen national collections.
Capacity building will be achieved through multiple training and mentorship programmes for undergraduate and postgraduate students, focusing on scientific collection, processing, mounting, identification, and databasing. Outreach and dissemination activities will highlight the role of herbaria in biodiversity conservation and climate change research, ensuring sustainability and broader impact of the project outcomes.
Institution:
IH Code:
Country:
Target areas:
Applicant First Name/s:
email:
Training and mentorship programs (3 numbers) shall be conducted for undergraduate/postgraduate students to train for
"Other" target:
SOURAVJYOTI
BORAH
Applicant Last Name/s: