European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science Implementation Phase

Project Information

E-RIHS IP

Grant agreement ID: 101079148

DOI

10.3030/101079148

Project closed

EC signature date 12 July 2022

Start date 1 October 2022

End date 31 December 2024

Funded under

• Research infrastructures

Total cost

€ 1 698 316,25

EU contribution

€ 1 353 600,00

Coordinated by

CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - E-RIHS IP (European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science Implementation Phase)

Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2024-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Enhancing the knowledge, preservation, and sustainable use of heritage requires research capabilities and resources. Providing integrated access to interdisciplinary knowledge, data, and cutting-edge technology is the goal of the distributed European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS).
E-RIHS serves the Heritage Science community by providing users, including both scholars and practitioners, with centrally managed access to expertise, know-how, research capacity, and resources through four integrated physical and virtual platforms. These are: ARCHLAB, on-site physical or digital archives of scientific information and reference collections; FIXLAB, fixed-located analytical facilities to study CH samples or movable objects; MOLAB, mobile labs and expert staff performing non-invasive and multi-technique diagnostic measurements of CH on-site; DIGILAB, virtual access to digital data repositories complemented with tools for creating new knowledge. ARCHLAB, MOLAB and FIXLAB are operational in the INFRAIA project IPERION HS, while DIGILAB is under design in the E-RIHS IP project. E-RIHS supports a wide variety of research from object-focused case studies to large-scale longer-term research projects. E-RIHS also promotes best practices and delivers vanguard training (HS Academy) while integrating world-leading EU facilities into a unique organisation with a significant cohesive role in the global Heritage Science community.
In this regard, fourteen national nodes and three observers are gathered via the EU-funded E-RIHS Implementation Phase project (E-RIHS IP) to assist the creation of the European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) and to enable the operational status of the E-RIHS ERIC also in support of its positioning as the reference RI for the Heritage Science (HS) domain at the EU and global level.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science Implementation Phase (E-RIHS IP) has successfully concluded, achieving its primary goal of establishing the European Research Infrastructure Consortium (E-RIHS ERIC).
As for February 2025, the ERIC Committee provided a positive opinion on the draft decision for E-RIHS ERIC, marking the final step towards its formal establishment with eleven founding members: Italy (host), Cyprus, France, Hungary, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Kingdom, along with the intergovernmental organization ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) as a prospective permanent observer. This milestone allows E-RIHS to seamlessly transition into its operational phase and solidify its position as a leading research infrastructure in heritage science, a domain that bridges STEM and SSH to enhance the knowledge, preservation, and appreciation of cultural heritage.
With the establishment of E-RIHS ERIC, E-RIHS is well-positioned to expand its impact across Europe and beyond. The strong foundation laid by E-RIHS IP ensures that E-RIHS will continue to support a diverse community of researchers, heritage professionals, and policymakers, contributing to the knowledge, preservation and appreciation of cultural heritage through world-class research and innovation.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

E-RIHS IP delivered substantial results, producing key documents that strengthened governance, risk management, strategic planning, and enhanced access and user policies for the forthcoming E-RIHS ERIC.
The project introduced a renewed E-RIHS catalogue of services, offering a streamlined gateway to platforms such as ARCHLAB, FIXLAB, MOLAB, and, in the future, the digital platform DIGILAB, whose structure was designed during the project. The updated E-RIHS access policy not only supports excellence-driven access but also offers flexible opportunities through market-driven access, wide access to digital tools and services, matchmaking services for routine and exploratory research, and thematic calls that address specific research needs and challenges, promoting a broad and inclusive approach to heritage science that address specific research questions and drive innovation in the field. The project also established a robust quality system to ensure high standards of service provision and operational excellence and developed a user strategy that emphasizes a user-centered approach to align services with the evolving needs of the heritage science community.
In addition, E-RIHS delivered the E-RIHS Business Plan 2025-2027, which provides a clear roadmap for growth and sustainability, along with a comprehensive Marketing Strategy to effectively engage stakeholders and promote E-RIHS services.
On the international front, E-RIHS IP developed a successful enlargement strategy, resulting in a MoU with the Brazilian ANTECIPA and ongoing discussions for collaboration with Egypt regarding a potential E-RIHS National Node.
E-RIHS IP also enhanced its representation in EU initiatives such as the ECHOES project for the future Cultural Heritage Cloud and contributed to ARCHE in preparation for the upcoming EU partnership Resilient Cultural Heritage. Collaborations with other research infrastructures were strengthened through participation in the SSHOC cluster and prospective integration with EOSC.
The E-RIHS ERIC central hub, located in the vibrant Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence, served as a dynamic center for these initiatives.

E-RIHS MOLAB at the Munch Museum in Oslo during an investigation campaign