Hi there!

We all have, in one form or another, a ‘to-do list’ — a piece of paper filled with notes about what to buy or achieve, or a schedule we aim to follow consistently. Nowadays, these lists are often stored in digital apps that accompany us wherever we go. It can be stressful, but generally, it makes sense to try to bring order to your plans.

The IK Foundation's 2025 to-do list emphasises completing lengthy and complex projects while also laying the groundwork for future initiatives. The challenge lies in both finishing and initiating new goals. We have not fully achieved all objectives this year because time has been insufficient, and amid global conflicts and populism, important long-term scientific initiatives are being overshadowed. All of this affects project funding, with a noticeable, deliberate bureaucratisation of scientific finance from scientific foundations and a restraint in philanthropy for science in Natural & Cultural History. Although it may seem dull or unusual to mention, it is important to recognise that this – IK’s ongoing work – is a response to the increasing spread of oversimplified facts and history.

What we at The IK Foundation aim to do during 2026 is to continue our constructive work and remain independent — free from political trends and influences — by developing projects in Natural & Cultural History, implementing them, and sharing knowledge with everyone in a democratic way, as we have always done.

This year's to-do list included, of course, a new edition of our popular ”Calendar & Booklist Year 2026”. This highlights one of the key priorities for 2026: transforming the way projects are financed by changing the underlying mindset. IK aims to promote more public crowdfunding and encourage greater innovation among current scientific funders.

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NEW | HELP US KEEP TEXTILE HISTORY ALIVE by supporting iTEXTILIS you are not only preserving knowledge for the long term – you are also making it accessible to all interested in textile history worldwide. Your contribution directly powers our mission to research, publish, and share these essays globally.

This is a new and ongoing crowdfunding project, where your support directly helps to keep iTEXTILIS essays free and open to everyone.

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CAMPAIGN SOON TO BE COMPLETED. In the crowdfunding campaign ”Green Tech for a Green Earth: Launching The Field Station Lab," we have currently reached 53.7% of our funding goal – warm thanks to everyone who has contributed generously and laid a foundation for the campaign. To have the chance to meet both our goal and yours, we have extended the campaign to the end of the year. We encourage all interested to read and share this opportunity in an outstanding, innovative project.

Your support for the Field Station Lab campaign makes a difference — there is still time to help.

DONATE TODAY...

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