Macro X-ray fluorescence scanning of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at the National Gallery
Photo: The National Gallery, London
Closing 2 December 2024

Technical Examination Network

This programme will support 3-6 organisations to access technical equipment and expertise to analyse a painting in their collection and unearth new stories.

Applications close on 2 December 2024

This programme, supported by Art Fund, offers fully funded opportunities for 3-6 museums to propose a painting for technical examination by the highly experienced and well-equipped scientific teams within the Technical Examination Network. 

Scientific technology offers huge potential for museums and galleries to discover more about the works in their collection. Investigating processes, materials and techniques can give us insight into how, why, when and where a work was produced, and how it has changed over time. Many new non-invasive analytical imaging techniques have become available in recent years, such as X-ray fluorescence scanning and hyperspectral imaging, enhancing and complementing long-established tools such as infrared reflectography, X-radiography and paint sample analysis.   

However, only a few major institutions in the UK have access to these facilities. Art Fund and the National Gallery are partnering to create the Technical Examination Network, which will support 3-6 organisations to access the technical equipment and expertise of one of the National Gallery, Courtauld Institute of Art and Hamilton Kerr Institute to analyse a painting in their collection and hopefully unearth new stories.  

The programme will support projects with the most interesting and urgent research questions and a strong chance of benefitting from technical examination. It will prioritise projects that demonstrate:  

  • Potential for new discoveries about a poorly understood painting in a collection, or a work that has not been regularly displayed.  

  • Compelling plans for how the conservation and findings will benefit their audiences, for example through displays, exhibitions or digital media.  

We do not expect applicants to have existing knowledge of technical examination, or to know which techniques would best answer the research questions. 

An email helpdesk is available to help applicants formulate proposals, including advising on feasibility and which instruments or technologies should be requested. We strongly advise you to contact the email helpdesk when you begin to prepare an application.

Art Fund's Technical Examination Network programme is made possible in partnership with Lempriere Pringle 2015 and Anthony Mould.

What we can fund

Grants will cover the cost of the technical examination of one painting per organisation by either the National Gallery, Courtauld Institute of Art or the Hamilton Kerr Institute, including transport and insurance. Please note that only flat works can be proposed for examination by the network.

Who can apply

This opportunity is aimed at non-national organisations with public collections without in-house resources for technical conservation or technical research, or without access to more advanced techniques of examination. 

We will consider applications from UK public museums, galleries, historic houses, libraries and archives that:  

  • Do not receive direct government sponsorship 

  • Are open for at least half the week for at least six months of the year  

  • Are at least provisionally accredited under the Arts Council Accreditation Scheme 

What we cannot fund:  

  • Museums who already have access to this kind of technology, for example national museums 

  • Works of art that are not paintings 

  • Overhead costs for staff time, exhibition or installation costs

Key deadlines

Applications close: 2 December 2024

How to apply

Your application

Read the guidance

Download the Guidance for applicants which explains our criteria for funding, helps you apply for a grant and gives you guidance on filling out the application form. 

Download guidance

Get in touch

We strongly advise you to contact the email helpdesk when you begin to prepare an application. The helpdesk can help you to formulate your proposal and advise on which instruments or technologies might be suitable.

Get in touch

Submit your application

Download a copy of the application form using the link below. Once you have completed the form, please email your application and any supporting documentation to Marika Spring at the National Gallery.

Download application form

After you've applied

Decision making process

Applications will be considered by a panel made up of representatives from Art Fund, the National Gallery, the Courtauld Institute and the Hamilton Kerr Institute. Applicants will be notified following the meeting, which is scheduled to be held on 11 December 2024.

Claim your grant

If your application is successful, we will send you our offer paperwork with more details on how to claim your grant.