Germany funds 92 projects to preserve written cultural heritage

In 2026, the German federal government and the states are jointly providing €1.5 million for a new funding program called "Preserving Written Cultural Heritage." The program, coordinated by the Koordinierungsstelle für die Erhaltung des schriftlichen Kulturguts (KEK), will support 92 projects nationwide. It merges two previous funding lines: the KEK model project funding, which supported innovative and public-facing projects, and the BKM special program, which funded large-scale preservation of nationally significant written materials. For the first time, the preservation of photographic collections of outstanding historical value is also eligible. Dr. Christine Regus, Secretary General of the Kulturstiftung der Länder, emphasized the importance of original sources in an age of fake news and AI-generated content. The program simplifies application procedures, benefiting smaller institutions. Around 200 applications were received. A featured project is the conservation of photographer Herbert List's estate at the Münchner Stadtmuseum, comprising about 80,000 negatives on cellulose acetate threatened by vinegar syndrome. The negatives will be rehoused in acid-free paper sleeves. The KEK was founded in August 2011 and has supported 1,338 projects over 15 years, with total funding exceeding €29.1 million.