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The Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning is located at Mammoth Cave National Park and is a partnership between Western Kentucky University and Mammoth Cave National Park.

Research learning centers were developed by the National Park Service to facilitate research within the national parks and to provide better communication of research results to managers, partners, and the public. Originally 32 research learning centers were planned, each one serving a network of parks. The first research learning centers were funded in 2001, and in 2003, Mammoth Cave National Park was slated to receive funding to develop a research learning center. However, funding for additional centers was discontinued before Mammoth Cave’s funding was received.

When funding for new research learning centers was suspended, Mammoth Cave National Park and Western Kentucky University created a proposal for a cooperatively run and funded center. Funding for the Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning was provided through two one-year (2004 and 2006) Congressional line item appropriations. In 2005, a full-time research director, Rick Toomey, was hired to run the research learning center. In 2007, he was joined by a part-time education program specialist, Shannon Trimboli.

Despite limited funding and staff, MCICSL is actively involved in numerous natural and cultural research and education projects at Mammoth Cave National Park. The center coordinates scientific research at the park and consults with the park on scientific issues. In addition, MCICSL leads or participates in many educational activities that highlight research at the park. Most of the center’s educational activities are focused on learners that are secondary school age or older.