COPENHAGEN, 19 March 2020 – The Carlsberg Foundation, the New Carlsberg Foundation and the Tuborg Foundation are targeting extraordinary grants that can mobilise and support researchers, art museums and civil society in the scientific, economic and human efforts at a time when society is challenged by the COVID-19 epidemic.

The three foundations in the Carlsberg family seek to help mitigate the challenges associated with the global COVID-19 epidemic. It is in the DNA of foundations to take responsibility when people and society are met with serious challenges. A total of DKK 95 mil (approximately MYR 60 mil) will be donated.

The Carlsberg Foundation, which fosters and supports ground-breaking research into an informed future, granted DKK 60 mil (MYR 38 mil) to three internationally relevant coronavirus projects:

• DKK 25 mil (MYR 16 mil) donated to a scientific group of internationally renowned virus researchers in a collaboration between the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University and the Serum Institute.
• DKK 25 mil (MYR 16 mil) donated to a social science and humanities group of behavioural researchers who, in a collaboration between the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University and the Technical University, will research into how we as a society handle epidemics most effectively.
• DKK 10 mil (MYR 6 mil) donated to an interdisciplinary group at Roskilde University that will research the resurrection, spread and cessation of historical epidemics. The three projects will pave the way for new, global insights into behaviour, prevention, diagnosis and treatment for COVID-19 preparedness and future epidemics.

Professor Flemming Besenbacher, Chairman of the Carlsberg Foundation, commented: “COVID-19 is developing exponentially right now, so we are pleased that we have in a short time been able to mobilise a collaboration between a number of the world’s leading researchers to contribute to solving the enormous challenges we face. Carlsberg’s founders J.C. and Carl Jacobsen and the Carlsberg Foundation have historically helped when communities have been in crisis., and we now need science more than ever to help solve these issues and think long-term.”

The New Carlsberg Foundation, which supports the arts, is donating DKK 30 mil (MYR 19 mil) to restart crisis-affected art museums in Denmark. Many art museums are temporarily closed on instructions from the authorities in connection with COVID-19, and the New Carlsberg Foundation has decided to provide funding to art museums for the implementation of programs that will draw guests back to museums when they reopen.

Christine Buhl Andersen, Chairman of the New Carlsberg Foundation, commented: “Museums form an important part of cultural and business life, and on behalf of the New Carlsberg Foundation, we would like to support their efforts so the art museums can reopen and hopefully resume their essential role in society.”

The Tuborg Foundation, which supports young people’s commitment to a sustainable future, donated DKK 5 mil (MYR 3 mil) to an emergency pool for civil society youth organisations to launch activities targeted at people who are particularly affected by COVID-19. The Foundation will also monitor the need for assistance in those parts of the business sector that are severely affected by the current situation, for example music venues which the Tuborg Foundation has a tradition of supporting.

Anne Marie Skov, Chairman of the Tuborg Foundation, said: “We want to give young people the opportunity to make a difference for the vulnerable people who are currently particularly affected by the epidemic. We have a very special civil society in Denmark, and from the Tuborg Foundation we want to give young volunteers the means to lift the specific tasks that many people can benefit from in this urgent situation.”

With these extra donations, the Carlsberg family foundations want to signal its support to stakeholders and partners in its surrounding that are doing a big difference to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and build better resilience for the future.

Find out more about the donation at Carlsberg Foundation.