In 2026, the Carlsberg Foundation celebrates its 150th anniversary. It marks exactly one hundred and fifty years since brewer J.C. Jacobsen founded the foundation with the purpose of returning a share of the profits from his brewery, Carlsberg to society through grants for independent basic research in Denmark.
J.C. Jacobsen himself placed great value on the flourishing scientific enterprise of his time. And through the establishment of the Carlsberg Foundation he sought to help secure the strength and standing of science well into the future. In his own words, the foundation was to serve “for the Benefit of Science and for the Honour of Denmark”.
Throughout 2026, we will celebrate 150 years of science for Denmark through the Carlsberg Foundation. We will pay tribute to both curiosity-driven basic research and the Danish foundation model, which gained momentum with the establishment of the Carlsberg Foundation—the world’s first enterprise foundation.
Follow our anniversary activities here on the website, on our social media channels, and through our newsletter.
Timeline: 150 years of the Carlsberg Foundation
Discover 150 years of the Carlsberg Foundation’s history. Learn about brewer J.C. Jacobsen's passion for science, the discovery of the pH scale at the Carlsberg Laboratory, J.C. Jacobsen's garden designed by the brewer himself and the restoration of the Carlsberg Academy, which was originally J.C. Jacobsens private residence.
Conference: '150 år med fondsmodellen: passé eller succes?'
To mark the Carlsberg Foundation’s 150th anniversary, we are hosting the conference ‘150 år med fondsmodellen: passé eller succes?’. The conference will explore the role of enterprise foundations in Danish society and feature contributions from a range of prominent figures.
Today, enterprise foundations play a central role in Denmark. Around 1,300 companies are owned by enterprise foundations, accounting for no less than 24 percent of Denmark’s value added and 26 percent of its exports. At the same time, the foundations distribute billions of Danish kroner each year for the benefit of society.
In recent years, however, the foundation model has attracted increasing political attention, with researchers, public authorities and the wider public debating fundamental questions about the power, responsibility and legitimacy of foundations. The conference will address the criticism, challenges and opportunities facing the foundation model today.
The conference ‘150 år med fondsmodellen: passé eller succes?’ will be held in Danish on 26 August 2026.
'From Yeast to Universe': New book available in English during Autumn 2026:
Read stories from the book
Why is the Danish foundation model attracting global attention?
AERA – The Carlsberg Foundation’s 150th anniversary brew
The Carlsberg Laboratory is celebrating the Carlsberg Foundation’s 150th anniversary with the special brew AERA – a full-bodied pilsner inspired by Carlsberg’s proud brewing traditions. AERA is brewed with climate-tolerant barley, a new Carlsberg yeast, and a unique blend of hops – all refined by the research and development taking place at the Carlsberg Laboratory. The brew is fresh and well-balanced, with a slight tartness from sea buckthorn, complemented by a malty aroma with fruity and floral notes. AERA can be purchased at Home of Carlsberg.
150 years in the service of basic research – but what is basic research, really?
Newsletter
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