The review is being financed by the William Penn Foundation and other philanthropic backers, a structure intended to give the assessment credibility with donors and the public. Organizers said the study will examine three central questions: the physical condition of the Academy's landmark building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the museum's financial picture, and a fundraising study of potential philanthropic support for a revived institution.

University and foundation officials stressed that the review carries no guarantee that the museum will reopen. The closure, which took effect in late September, has alarmed scientists, educators, and neighbors who rely on the Academy's collections and public programs.

The stakes were visible last month when about 120 demonstrators gathered at twilight on Oct. 27 for a candlelight vigil in front of the Academy, marking one month since the museum shut its doors. The gathering underscored the depth of community attachment to an institution founded in 1812 and long regarded as one of the nation's oldest natural history museums.

The Academy's collections — including specimens and archives used by researchers worldwide — have remained a concern for scientists who fear that a prolonged closure could jeopardize access and care. The review's findings on building conditions and finances are expected to shape any decision about whether the museum can be sustained, restructured, or wound down.

For now, the university has committed only to the assessment, not to a reopening plan. The outcome will depend on what the review finds and whether foundations and donors are willing to commit the resources needed to secure the Academy's future.