The MVZ processes over 100 loans annually to researchers all over the world. Loans include different types of specimens as well as tissue samples, and are used for studies of phenotypic and genetic variation, taxonomic identification, isotopic signatures, diseases, and other questions in evolutionary biology and biodiversity science. In addition, the collections are used extensively by visiting researchers as well as MVZ faculty, staff, and students.

Each MVZ collection has their own procedures for processing and packing specimen loans, but there are some common guidelines that apply to all collections.