Koninklijk Instituut voor het Kunstpatrimonium

Their core work

The Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA) is Belgium's federal research centre dedicated to studying, conserving, and documenting the country's artistic and cultural heritage. Their core work involves scientific analysis of artworks and historical objects — using techniques like imaging, spectroscopy, and materials analysis to support conservation and restoration. Within H2020, they contribute their analytical laboratories and heritage science expertise to pan-European research infrastructure networks, enabling shared access to advanced diagnostic tools for cultural heritage across the continent.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

KIK-IRPA's H2020 trajectory shows a remarkably consistent focus on heritage science infrastructure rather than a dramatic pivot. Their early participation in IPERION CH (2015) established them within the European heritage science network, which they helped formalize through the E-RIHS Preparatory Phase (2017-2020). The progression from integration project to preparatory phase to the successor IPERION HS (2020-2024) shows deepening institutional commitment to making heritage science a permanent European research infrastructure.

KIK-IRPA is moving from project-based participation toward becoming a recognized node in a permanent European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS), signalling long-term institutional commitment.

How they like to work

KIK-IRPA operates exclusively as a participant in large-scale consortia — all three projects involve broad European partnerships, with 81 unique partners across 24 countries. They are not a consortium leader but a trusted specialist contributor embedded in the heritage science community. Their repeated participation in successive iterations of the same infrastructure initiative (IPERION → E-RIHS PP → IPERION HS) suggests they are a loyal, long-term network member rather than a one-off collaborator.

Deeply embedded in the European heritage science community, with connections to 81 unique partners across 24 countries. Their network spans museums, universities, and research centres involved in cultural heritage preservation across nearly all EU member states.

What sets them apart

KIK-IRPA is one of very few federal-level cultural heritage research institutes in Europe that combines scientific analysis with conservation practice under one roof. Their sustained involvement across all major iterations of the European heritage science infrastructure (IPERION CH through IPERION HS) makes them a reliable, well-connected partner for any project requiring access to artwork diagnostics or heritage materials analysis. For consortium builders, they bring both the laboratory capacity and the institutional credibility of a national heritage institute.

Highlights from their portfolio

• IPERION HS
  The most recent and largest-funded project (EUR 158,666), representing the successor generation of European heritage science infrastructure with the broadest scope.
• E-RIHS PP
  Preparatory phase for establishing heritage science as a permanent European Research Infrastructure — a milestone in formalizing the field at EU level.