Italy creates the National Institute for Egyptian Research
Date of the event:
The Council of Ministers has approved, on a proposal by the Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini and the Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, a measure establishing the National Institute for Egyptian Research (Istituto nazionale di ricerca egizia). The new autonomous public body is intended to enhance and strengthen the scientific activities carried out by the Fondazione Museo delle Antichità Egizie di Torino, the world's oldest museum entirely devoted to Egyptian culture [1][2].
Funding and structure
The Institute will have an annual budget of around 5.6 million euros, with an ordinary allocation set out in the legislative documents at 5,440,403 euros a year from 2027 [2]. The funds are intended to support research projects, the running of the body and the instruments needed for scientific investigation [1][2].
The measure introduces a clearer distinction between the organisation of museum exhibitions and the work of researchers. The Egyptian Museum Foundation (Fondazione Museo Egizio) will retain its own identity and its responsibilities for managing the collections, while archaeological investigations and scientific programmes will fall under the new body, under the supervision of the central administrations responsible for universities and for cultural heritage [2].
Fields of research
The Institute will promote studies on the history and culture of ancient Egypt and disseminate their results both within the scientific community and to the general public. Its fields of activity will include archaeology, advanced conservation and restoration of artefacts, and the use of new technologies, with particular attention to digital archaeology, artificial intelligence, data management and the promotion of open science [1].
Minister Bernini stressed the opportunities offered by new technologies for the study of artefacts: «A papyrus can still reveal words we have not managed to read. An artefact can tell us details of its history that have so far escaped us». The minister described the recognition as an important step in strengthening the Museum's scientific dimension, broadening collaboration with universities and research centres, and offering new opportunities to scholars and young researchers [1].
Sources
- Quotidiano Piemontese — 10 November 2026
- Torino Free — 10 November 2026