Bruxelles, March 28, 2025 – The European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS) is now a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), marking a significant milestone in its development since joining the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) Roadmap in 2016. With this new status, E-RIHS strengthens its position as a key player in heritage science, both in Europe and beyond.
Italy is the host country of E-RIHS ERIC, supported by the Ministry of University and Research and the National Research Council. The E-RIHS Central Hub is based in Florence, thanks to the contribution of Fondazione CR Firenze, which has made available spaces at the regenerated historical industrial site of Manifattura Tabacchi. From this headquarters, E-RIHS coordinates the operational activities among its 11 founding members – Cyprus, France, Hungary, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Kingdom – and is set to welcome the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) as a permanent observer.
Designed to serve researchers and professionals, E-RIHS mission is to promote an integrated approach to enhance the understanding, conservation, and appreciation of our shared cultural heritage. E-RIHS connects different fields of expertise, bridging hard sciences and humanities to create an interdisciplinary research environment. It gathers research organisations, universities, restoration centres, and cultural institutions in a unique community that enables access to cutting-edge facilities and resources throughout Europe. In addition, through the HS Academy, E-RIHS offers high-quality training programmes aimed at developing skills and building capacity in heritage science.
“We are grateful to our founding members for their unwavering support and to the European Commission for recognizing E-RIHS as a leading research infrastructure in Europe,” said Vania Virgili interim Director General of E-RIHS. “We now are a legally established entity, with a lasting legacy and a deep-rooted commitment to advancing heritage science and delivering tangible results that help preserve and promote our shared cultural heritage for the benefit of society.”
The establishment of E-RIHS ERIC unlocks new opportunities for collaboration on both local and global scales. By coordinating services, data, and expertise, E-RIHS allow researchers and professionals to collaborate across border, linking national initiatives with international efforts to foster scientific excellence and innovation in heritage science.
To access the official news on the European Commission website click on News article, 28 March 2025, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation.