Request for Proposals: Conservation Grants Program (US)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Kress Foundation Conservation Grants Program supports projects that advance professional practice, research, and knowledge-sharing in art conservation, particularly work involving European art from antiquity through the early 19th century. Eligible non-profit institutions can seek support for conservation research, documentation, exhibitions, publications, technical studies, databases, professional exchanges, conferences, and other initiatives that create or disseminate specialised conservation knowledge. What Is the Kress Foundation Conservation Grants Program? The Conservation Grants Program is designed to strengthen the professional practice of art conservation by supporting the creation, preservation, and dissemination of specialised knowledge. The programme has a particular interest in European works of art dating from antiquity to the early 19th century, although supported activities can cover a range of conservation-related research and professional practice. The programme recognises that conservation depends not only on treatment of individual artworks but also on research, documentation, scientific analysis, professional collaboration, and sharing knowledge with the wider field. Why Does the Conservation Grants Program Matter? Art conservation combines artistic knowledge, historical research, materials science, technical examination, documentation, and preservation methods. Research and professional exchange can help conservators better understand: The Kress Foundation supports projects that contribute to this broader body of professional knowledge. What Types of Projects Are Supported? The programme supports a wide range of activities connected to art conservation. Archival Projects Funding can support archival initiatives that preserve and improve access to information relevant to conservation.

Such projects may involve:

Conservation records. Historical documentation. Archival research. Collection-related records. Preservation and organisation of specialist materials. Scholarly Databases Projects involving the creation or dissemination of specialised databases may be eligible. A database project should demonstrate how it will contribute to: Conservation research. Professional knowledge. Documentation. Access to specialised information. Long-term scholarly resources. Documentation Projects Conservation documentation can provide important information about an artwork’s materials, condition, treatment history, and technical characteristics. Supported documentation initiatives may help establish reliable resources for future conservation and research. Exhibitions The programme can support exhibitions with a significant art conservation focus. Projects are particularly relevant when they prominently examine: Materials. Artistic techniques. Conservation methods. Technical examination. The relationship between conservation and art history. Publications Conservation-focused publications can help disseminate specialised knowledge to professional and academic audiences. Applicants should explain the publication’s contribution to the field and identify its intended audience. Technical and Scientific Studies The programme supports technical and scientific investigations related to conservation. These studies may contribute to understanding: Materials used in artworks. Artistic techniques. Deterioration processes. Conservation methods. Technical characteristics. Scientific approaches to examination and preservation. Can the Grant Support Professional Exchanges? Yes. The programme supports initiatives that enable conservators and conservation scientists to share knowledge with professional colleagues and broader audiences. These activities help strengthen professional networks and encourage the exchange of conservation expertise. Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligibility is primarily institutional

Eligible applicants include:

U.S. non-profit institutions with 501(c)(3) status. Supporting foundations of European institutions. Foreign institutions that have obtained recognition of tax-exempt status from the U.S.Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The applying organisation must meet the applicable institutional eligibility requirements. Can Individuals Apply Directly? No. The programme does not award grants directly to individuals. However, projects can be carried out by: Individuals affiliated with an eligible organisation. Teams affiliated with an eligible organisation. The grant application must be submitted through the qualifying institution. This distinction is important for conservators, researchers, scientists, and other professionals seeking support for their work. What Is the Geographic and Artistic Focus? The programme has a particular emphasis on European works of art from antiquity through the early 19th century. Applicants should therefore clearly explain the relationship between their proposed project and the programme’s conservation priorities. Projects involving relevant European art should describe: The works or collections involved. Their historical significance. Materials and techniques. Conservation questions. Proposed research or professional activities. Expected contribution to conservation knowledge. Are Conservation Treatments Eligible for Funding? Support for conservation treatments is generally limited. Treatment funding is generally reserved for works belonging to the distributed Kress Collection. Such support is typically coordinated through the Kress Program in Paintings Conservation at the Conservation Center of the New York University Institute of Fine Arts. Therefore, applicants should not assume that the programme provides general treatment funding for any artwork. The programme’s broader focus is on professional practice, research, documentation, technical studies, knowledge dissemination, and professional exchange. How to Develop a Strong Conservation Grant Proposal Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed act