CR.EU.IN.HERITAGE: Cultural Heritage Innovation Grants Step 1 - Strand 1
The call funds SME projects for product and process innovation in the Cultural Heritage Value Chain to enhance strategic autonomy and sustainability.
TYPE OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED: The call supports projects focusing on product and process innovation within the Cultural Heritage Value Chain (CHVC), aiming to reduce dependency on external technologies and improve competitiveness and sustainability.
SECTORS / DOMAIN: The call targets the Cultural Heritage Value Chain, which includes activities related to the conservation, safeguarding, management, and valorisation of cultural heritage.
INDIVIDUAL OR CONSORTIUM: Applications can be submitted by individual SMEs or consortia, with Step 2 requiring a consortium of at least two SMEs where the lead partner must be a Step 1-selected SME..
SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Eligible applicants are SMEs established in SMP-eligible countries, with a focus on the CHVC and compliance with EU funding obligations. The applicant must be able to deliver a sufficiently differing new product and/or service. For Step 2 applications its is to mandatory to apply EU-based digital solutions/technologies or engage Innovation Leaders.
SPECIFIC TOPICS OR CHALLENGES: The call is focused on defined topics related to strategic autonomy, green and digital transitions within the CHVC. For Strand 1 the project must focus on the development of new products and/or services and address needs related to critical inputs.
PROJECTS DURATION: Projects must have a fixed duration of 12 months.
BUDGET, FUNDING RATES AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
Funding rate: Not specified in the call guidelines.
Budget conditions / limitations: Fixed grant per project of €120,000, with a maximum of €60,000 per SME and a minimum of 15% co-financing of the total budget project.
Payments: 40% as pre-financing within 30 days of signing the subgrant agreement, 30% within 30 days of approval of the interim report and 30% within 30 days after approval of the final report.
Links
Closes
20/04/2026
Max funding per project
120.000€