The Augustinus Foundation and the Royal Danish Academy Strengthen the Field of Conservation with a Historic Grant

A grant of over 17 million DKK from the Augustinus Foundation will strengthen research in conservation and promote cross-disciplinary collaboration.

In the future, our shared cultural heritage will be even more at risk due to climate change – museums must climate-proof their collections, and rising temperatures will lead to accelerated deterioration of important objects.

There is plenty to address, and fortunately, the conservation field in Denmark has received a significant boost with a five-year grant of DKK 17,937,367 from the Augustinus Foundation. The grant will enable the Institute of Conservation at the Royal Danish Academy to strengthen research and foster collaboration across disciplines – benefitting both the conservation and museum sectors, as well as Danish cultural heritage.

“This is a strategic investment that extends beyond the Royal Danish Academy. The funding allows us to plan and prioritize research at a much higher level. It will secure the Institute of Conservation’s continued position as a beacon among the world’s leading research institutions. We are proud of the Augustinus Foundation’s trust and look forward to beginning this important work,” says Rikke Bjarnhof, Dean of the Institute of Conservation.

A boost for the entire sector

The Institute of Conservation is a relatively small educational and research environment, yet it already enjoys significant international recognition. The grant provides an opportunity to strengthen research, both through additional research positions and expanded activities. It will also promote interdisciplinary collaboration with both national and international partners. This includes cooperation with fields such as computer science, museology, archaeology, art and cultural history, and materials science. The grant is therefore intended to accelerate developments in preservation across the entire conservation and museum sector.

At the same time, the grant will ensure vital research into pressing agendas such as the green transition, sustainability, and climate change, as well as investigating how to address disasters such as fire, flooding, and power outages.

“Conservation work plays a crucial role in safeguarding our shared natural and cultural heritage. That is why we see great value in supporting the Institute of Conservation in its development over the coming five years in close collaboration with Denmark’s cultural heritage sector.

A strategic and long-term boost will not only strengthen research opportunities but also talent development, international collaboration, and dissemination. Most importantly, it will secure the institute’s continued relevance as one of the country’s most important cultural heritage institutions,” says Frank Rechendorff Møller, CEO of the Augustinus Foundation.