The Future of Funding for Archaeology

Funding for archaeological research from governmental and philanthropic sources is becoming scarcer. Philanthropy is becoming results-driven, moving away from basic research and increasingly into short term projects. At the same time, costs for archaeological research are increasing, reflecting upward shifts in living costs at emerging economies and costs of analytical research. This session will address three questions through papers from established funders and innovators pursuing alternative funding models. First, what are the drivers of this new environment and how will impact-oriented philanthropy affect funding for archaeology? Second, how are established funders responding to these trends and how do they see the future of funding for research? Finally, does the experience so far with alternative funding approaches suggest that they are able to replace sources in decline.