Thanks to a generous grant from the Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation, the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History and the Natural History Museum of Crete have established a collaboration initiative for the exchange of ideas and expertise between the faculty and students of Yale University and the University of Crete, and between the curators and supporting staff of the two museums. Through education, the initiative will also promote broader outreach to the local communities of both institutions.
The initiative will be a model for future collaborations with other institutions.

The objectives of this ambitious program include:

• Establishing collaborative research projects between scientists and students of the two universities
• Instituting a field-oriented summer study program for selected Yale University and University of Crete students
• Exchanging best museum practices in public education and exhibit development
• Developing two Niarchos exchange exhibits on biodiversity
• Establishing a permanent Niarchos Discovery Center at the Natural History Museum of Crete
• Establishing a permanent Niarchos Experimental Classroom at the Yale Peabody Museum.