Do you have specialized knowledge in philately or postal operations? Do you want to share your expertise with the general public and other specialists?

Help the National Postal Museum in presenting our collection to the public by joining the volunteer Arago Researcher Program. Learn more about this volunteer Researcher Program here.

Researcher Qualifications

Required
  • Expert knowledge in a specific area of philately or postal history.
  • Recommendations from authoritative experts or organizations.
  • Desire and willingness to share knowledge.

Preferred
  • Written or published demonstration of expert knowledge.
  • Skills and demonstrated knowledge are current.
  • Bibliography of reference sources related to your area of      expertise.

Apply Here!

Registration Process

Upon receiving approval from NPM staff:

1. Compose an online Researcher Biography.
2. Read the Intellectual Property Rights Release statement.
3. Complete the required Smithsonian BVP Volunteer Registration Form. (Print and submit form via fax or mail to the Arago Researcher Coordinator.)
4. Review the following Program Documents.

Program Documents

• Orientation Handbook, an introductory manual for approved Researchers.
• Researcher Tools Manual, a detailed guide to creating and reviewing research text on Arago’s Researcher Tools module. 
• Style Guide, a guide to how text should be prepared for Arago.

Program Benefits

• Researchers receive a complimentary one-year basic membership to the Museum
• Access to the Museum’s library collection by appointment.

Contact Information

Arago Researcher Coordinator
National Postal Museum
MRC 570
P. O. Box 37012
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC 20013

Arago@si.edu
Phone: 202-633-4741
Fax: 202-633-9393