STICHTING HET RIJKSMUSEUM

Their core work

The Rijksmuseum is the Netherlands' national museum of art and history, housing over 8,000 objects spanning 800 years of Dutch and global heritage. Within EU research, they contribute as a real-world testing ground and end-user for advanced conservation technologies — from nanomaterials that restore damaged artworks to photonics-based imaging and spectroscopic techniques for non-invasive analysis of cultural objects. Their research participation centers on applying scientific methods to preserve and study their world-class collection, bridging museum practice with materials science and heritage research infrastructure.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 involvement (2015-2018) was firmly rooted in materials science — nanomaterials, gels, graphene, and nanocontainers applied to the conservation of modern and contemporary art. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted toward analytical methods and infrastructure: photonics, lasers, imaging, spectroscopic techniques, and participation in pan-European heritage science platforms. The trajectory moves from being a consumer of conservation materials to becoming an active node in Europe's heritage science research infrastructure network.

The Rijksmuseum is positioning itself as an access point within European heritage science infrastructure, making it increasingly relevant for consortia needing a prestigious museum partner with hands-on scientific analysis capabilities.

How they like to work

The Rijksmuseum never coordinates H2020 projects — it participates as a partner or third party, contributing its collection, conservation expertise, and real-world validation environment. Its 105 unique partners across 26 countries indicate involvement in very large consortia rather than small focused teams. This profile is typical of a major cultural institution that provides irreplaceable access to heritage objects and practical conservation challenges, rather than leading the research agenda itself.

With 105 unique consortium partners across 26 countries, the Rijksmuseum sits within broad pan-European heritage science networks. This wide reach reflects participation in large-scale research infrastructure and training projects rather than bilateral partnerships.

What sets them apart

The Rijksmuseum is one of the world's most recognized art museums, which gives any consortium an unmatched demonstration and validation site for heritage conservation technologies. Few partners can offer both a world-class collection of historical objects and active in-house scientific research on their preservation. For consortium builders, including the Rijksmuseum signals credibility, public visibility, and direct access to real conservation challenges at scale.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NANORESTART
  Applied advanced nanomaterials — graphene, nanocellulose, nanocontainers — specifically to the conservation of modern and contemporary art, a niche where few museums contribute directly.
• IPERION HS
  A flagship European research infrastructure project integrating heritage science platforms across the continent, positioning the Rijksmuseum within Europe's core heritage science network.