International Collaborative Projects with Heritage Institutes Grant

The Mondriaan Fund International Heritage Collaboration Grant supports Dutch and Caribbean museums and heritage institutions working with international partners on collaborative research projects involving shared cultural heritage collections. The programme funds both research projects and development research, contributing up to 40% of project costs for full research projects and up to 70% of development research costs (maximum €15,000).

Mondriaan Fund International Heritage Collaboration Grant 2026

The Mondriaan Fund is inviting applications from eligible museums and cultural heritage institutions in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom for collaborative international heritage research projects.

The programme encourages institutions to work with overseas partners to explore shared collections, develop internationally significant research, and create public presentations that strengthen knowledge exchange and increase the global visibility of cultural heritage.

By supporting international cooperation, the grant promotes new research perspectives, strengthens institutional partnerships, and encourages wider public engagement with shared cultural history.

What Is the Mondriaan Fund International Heritage Collaboration Grant?

The Mondriaan Fund International Heritage Collaboration Grant is a competitive funding programme that supports international research partnerships between Dutch or Caribbean heritage institutions and comparable institutions abroad.

The programme focuses on projects that generate new knowledge about shared heritage collections while encouraging collaboration across countries. Successful projects are expected to produce meaningful research outcomes and present their findings to the public through exhibitions, publications, or other forms of public engagement.

Funding is available for both large-scale research projects and smaller development research initiatives.

Programme Overview

Many cultural heritage collections have international histories and connections that extend beyond national borders.

The Mondriaan Fund supports collaborative research that enables institutions to:

Investigate shared collections.
Develop new historical perspectives.
Strengthen international partnerships.
Exchange expertise.
Increase public understanding of cultural heritage.

Projects are expected to produce research of international relevance and conclude with a public presentation that shares the findings with broader audiences.

The programme also encourages institutions to explore innovative approaches during the early development stage before undertaking larger research projects.

Objectives of the Programme

The programme aims to strengthen international cooperation in cultural heritage research.

Its objectives include:

Support collaborative international research.
Generate internationally significant heritage knowledge.
Strengthen partnerships between heritage institutions.
Promote research on shared collections.
Encourage public engagement with cultural heritage.
Increase international visibility of heritage collections.
Support innovative research development.
Foster knowledge exchange.
Strengthen museum collaboration.
Expand access to heritage research findings.

Key Focus Areas

Projects may address one or more of the following themes:

International heritage collaboration
Shared heritage collections
Museum research
Cultural heritage research
Collection studies
International partnerships
Heritage interpretation
Public heritage presentation
Museum innovation
Curatorial collaboration
Heritage knowledge exchange
Cross-border cultural research
Exhibition development
Collection documentation
Heritage accessibility

Why This Grant Matters

International collaboration creates opportunities to better understand shared cultural heritage and expand public access to historical knowledge.

Strengthening International Partnerships

The programme encourages long-term cooperation between museums and heritage institutions across countries.

Advancing Heritage Research

Collaborative research helps uncover new interpretations and historical connections within shared collections.

Increasing Public Engagement

Projects conclude with public presentations that make research findings accessible to wider audiences.

Enhancing Global Visibility

The programme raises the international profile of participating institutions and their collections.

Supporting Knowledge Exchange

Researchers and curators benefit from sharing expertise, methodologies, and professional experience.

Funding Information

Funding depends on the type of research activity.

Full Research Projects

The Mondriaan Fund may contribute:

Up to 40% of eligible variable project costs

The exact grant amount is determined individually for each approved application.

Development Research

For preliminary or exploratory research, funding may cover:

Up to 70% of eligible variable project costs

Maximum grant:

€15,000

Eligible Expenses

Funding may support:

Research activities.
Project development.
Travel for researchers.
Accommodation for researchers.
Travel for curators.
Accommodation for curators.
Public presentation of research findings in the Netherlands.
Other eligible variable project costs related to approved research activities.

Applicants should consult the official programme guidelines for a detailed list of eligible expenses.

Who Is Eligible?

Applications are open to eligible heritage institutions located in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.

Eligible applicants include:

Museums.
Publicly accessible cultural heritage institutions.

Applicants must:

Manage collections of national significance.
Be publicly accessible.
Meet all programme eligibility requirements.

Partnership Requirements

Applicants must have:

An established partnership with a comparable heritage institution located outside the Netherlands.

The research project must:

Be jointly presented by both the Dutch (or Caribbean) institution and the international partner.

The foreign partner’s financial contribution must be:

Proportionate to the grant awarded by the Mondriaan Fund.

How the Programme Works

The application process follows several stages.

Step 1: Develop the Partnership

Establish a collaborative relationship with an eligible international heritage institution.

Step 2: Prepare the Research Proposal

Develop a joint research plan describing:

Research objectives.
Shared collections.
Collaboration model.
Public presentation.
Budget.
Timeline.

Step 3: Submit the Application

Applications must be submitted online before the published deadline.

Step 4: Administrative Review

Mondriaan Fund staff review applications for:

Completeness.
Eligibility.
Compliance with programme requirements.

Incomplete applications are not processed.

Step 5: Advisory Committee Assessment

An independent advisory committee evaluates eligible proposals and recommends:

Funding decisions.
Priority ranking.
Appropriate funding amounts.

Step 6: Final Decision

The Mondriaan Fund Board makes the final funding decision.

Because funding is limited, not every positively assessed application can be funded.

Application Timeline

Applications:

Must be submitted before the official deadline.

Processing time:

Approximately three months after the submission deadline.

Applicants should allow sufficient time to prepare complete documentation.

How to Apply

Interested institutions should follow these steps.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your institution and international partner satisfy all programme requirements.

Step 2: Develop a Joint Research Project

Prepare a proposal describing:

Shared heritage.
Research methodology.
International collaboration.
Public presentation.
Expected outcomes.

Step 3: Prepare the Budget

Develop a realistic budget that clearly explains eligible project costs and the financial contributions of all partners.

Step 4: Gather Supporting Documents

Prepare all required documents according to programme requirements.

Step 5: Submit Online

Complete the online application before the published deadline.

Proposal Assessment

Applications are generally evaluated based on:

International significance.
Research quality.
Innovation.
Strength of the partnership.
Public value.
Heritage relevance.
Institutional capacity.
Feasibility.
Budget justification.
Expected impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting incomplete applications.
Weak international partnerships.
Poorly developed research methodologies.
Missing public presentation plans.
Unrealistic budgets.
Ignoring partnership cost-sharing requirements.
Failing to submit all required documents.
Applying after the deadline.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

To strengthen your proposal:

Build a genuine partnership with an experienced international institution.
Clearly explain the importance of the shared collection.
Demonstrate international relevance.
Include measurable research outcomes.
Develop a strong public engagement strategy.
Present a realistic implementation schedule.
Prepare a well-justified budget.
Clearly explain each partner’s responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Mondriaan Fund International Heritage Collaboration Grant?

It is a funding programme that supports collaborative heritage research projects between eligible museums and cultural heritage institutions in the Netherlands or the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and international partner institutions.

2. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are publicly accessible museums and cultural heritage institutions managing nationally significant collections in the Netherlands or the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.

3. Is an international partner required?

Yes. Applicants must have an established partnership with a comparable heritage institution located abroad, and the research project must be jointly presented by both partners.

4. How much funding is available?

Full research projects: Up to 40% of eligible variable project costs.
Development research: Up to 70% of eligible variable costs, with a maximum grant of €15,000.

5. What expenses can be funded?

Eligible costs may include research activities, project development, travel and accommodation for researchers and curators, and presenting research results in the Netherlands.

6. How are applications assessed?

Applications are reviewed for completeness before being evaluated by an advisory committee. The committee recommends funding priorities, and the Mondriaan Fund Board makes the final decision.

7. How long does the application process take?

Applications are typically processed within three months after the submission deadline, although processing times may vary.

Conclusion

The Mondriaan Fund International Heritage Collaboration Grant 2026 provides an excellent opportunity for museums and cultural heritage institutions in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom to develop internationally significant research in partnership with overseas institutions. By supporting collaborative research, public presentations, and knowledge exchange, the programme strengthens global cooperation while promoting a deeper understanding of shared cultural heritage.

Institutions with nationally significant collections and established international partnerships are encouraged to prepare high-quality proposals that demonstrate strong research value, meaningful public engagement, and lasting international collaboration. A well-planned project with clear objectives, realistic budgeting, and a compelling public presentation strategy will be well positioned for consideration under this competitive funding programme.