Smithsonian

The Smithsonian Institution is an independent federal trust research and education complex, with 21 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, and research centers across the United States and abroad. Its distributed facilities, field sites, observatories, collections, and data resources give corporate R&D teams access to specialized infrastructure and expertise beyond a conventional university setting. Academic appointments, university and government collaborations, and a network of more than 200 Affiliates extend that reach through structured exchange and national connections. Research is supported by federal appropriations and competitive awards and contracts involving NASA, NSF, NOAA, DOE, and NIH, alongside private philanthropy. The Office of Sponsored Projects and established intellectual-property and licensing policies support externally funded work and commercialization.