Millions offered to research by foundation
The Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Foundation is established to honour the memory of Kristian Gerhard Jebsen and his contribution to Norwegian and international shipping and business.
Assets in the order of NOK 800 million to support various worthy causes have been transferred to the foundation. Aud Jebsen has taken the initiative on its establishment together with her three sons, and has provided its capital.
Although the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Foundation has a wide-ranging object clause, its board will concentrate primarily during the first year on backing various research projects.
These will be focused on the medical and maritime/marine fields, and the intention is that the board itself will contact selected universities, university colleges and other research bodies.
This will aim to clarify needs and to identify projects and measures which could be recipients of funds.
Decisions by the board on possible grants will be based on specific applications backed by detailed project descriptions and necessary documentation.
To ensure good relations with medical research communities and properly qualified assessments of possible projects, the foundation has established an advisory panel for medical research.
Comprising nationally and internationally recognised experts, this will be an important resource for the foundation's board.
In the maritime sector, the board will base its decisions on assessments by relevant professionals - including personnel from the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen group.
The foundation's capital totals an estimated NOK 800 million, with an eight per cent shareholding in Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi as its largest asset. According to its statutes, the foundation will operate for 30 years.
The board of the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Foundation consists of Aud Jebsen, Kristian Jebsen, Hans Peter Jebsen, Borger Lenth and Birger Magnus.
Management of the foundation will be provided by the Bergen Medical Research Foundation (BMFS), which has the expertise and capacity to ensure qualified and cost-effective administration. It also offers possible synergies with relevant research groups.
Those wishing to learn more about the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Foundation can contact director Kåre Rommetveit at the BMFS.