The National Museum of Natural History and Science -- MUHNAC, with a silent h -- is part of a Specialised Unit of the Central Services of the University of Lisbon called ‘Museums of the University of Lisbon/Institute of Tropical Scientific Research’. This unit is responsible for the management, preservation and public access of three important scientific heritage centres in Lisbon:
- the headquarters centre in Príncipe Real: MUHNAC and the Lisbon Botanical Garden
- the Belém centre: Tropical Botanical Garden
- the Ajuda centre: Lisbon Astronomical Observatory
MUHNAC's mission is to promote curiosity and public understanding of nature and science, bringing the university closer to society. This mission is achieved through the valorisation of its collections and university heritage, research, exhibitions, conferences and other initiatives of a scientific, educational, cultural and leisure nature.
The Museum has been part of the Portuguese Museum Network since 2002. It is an institutional member of the Portuguese Historic Gardens Association, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and Universeum -- European University Heritage Network.