Initial funding for Phase I of this project was provided by the University of South Carolina, Vice President’s Office of Research through an Advanced Support for Innovative Research Excellence (ASPIRE) Integration grant. The ASPIRE program provides USC faculty the opportunity to compete for funding to begin a promising new research endeavor for later external funding, build up a collaborative, interdisciplinary research project and/or invest in the university's research infrastructure.
Phase II of this project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS Project MA-30-18-0048-18). This phase of the project added the materials of 7 additional naturalists and expanded the scope to include materials from The Charleston Museum. IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums, focused on advancing, supporting, and empowering America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. The IMLS vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
