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UAlgTec Heritage Center of Excellence

Objective

The UAlgTec Heritage (UTH) Center of Excellence will deliver a pioneering platform for digitally enabled archaeological science and territorial innovation in Portugal. Led by ICArEHB (University of Algarve) and teaming with Kiel University, ERA Arqueologia S.A. and Zartis Ltd., the Centre will create a unique innovation ecosystem for integrating research, policy, technology, and community engagement, harnessing the transformative potential of cultural heritage to shape sustainable and inclusive futures.

UTH will profoundly change how heritage is conceptualized, governed, and mobilized. It will promote excellence in archaeological science while advancing HeritageTech, a new domain where Artificial Intelligence, immersive media, and open digital infrastructures are applied to heritage-based planning, education, risk assessment, and public engagement. The Centre builds on ICArEHB's international leadership and is driven by a mission-oriented 3D innovation sequence (Diagnose, Develop, Demonstrate) that fully integrates science into policy and practice through Co-Creation Groups.

The Heritage Intelligence Gateway embeds archaeological intelligence into spatial planning, climate strategies, and local development frameworks. The HeritageTech Academy and Ventures Studio place people (researchers, professionals, policymakers, citizens) at the center of collaborative innovation. Through the Quadruple Helix approach and a strong commitment to Open Science, UTH will enhance R&I capacities, accelerate technology uptake, and generate meaningful scientific and public value.

Responding to Horizon Europe's ambition to reduce the R&I divide, UTH will act as a lighthouse for heritage innovation. With over €50 million mobilised in six years, the Centre offers a replicable model for Widening regions, showing how place-based R&I can fully realize heritage's societal, economic, and environmental potential.

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-ACCESS-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSIDADE DO ALGARVE
Net EU contribution
€ 10 334 875,00
Address
CAMPUS DE PENHA
8005 139 Faro
Portugal
Region
Continente Algarve Algarve
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 10 334 875,00

Participants (3)