Organizer Information
ECHOES (European Cloud for Heritage Open Science) is a pioneering project funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe program. Led by the CNRS (France) and a consortium of 51 European partners—including research organizations, networks, and private entities—ECHOES is tasked with creating the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH). This digital ecosystem aims to move beyond simple digitization to create "Digital Commons," allowing heritage professionals and researchers to collaboratively analyze, preserve, and enrich European cultural assets using advanced tools like AI and 3D modeling.
Title & Description
ECHOES Second Open Call: Engagement and Collaboration with the ECCCH
The primary purpose of this second call is to expand the Cultural Heritage Cloud community by engaging small and medium-sized Cultural Heritage Institutions (CHIs). The program seeks projects that raise awareness of the ECCCH platform and foster digital transformation across the sector. Selected projects will design and implement creative engagement formats—such as workshops, hackathons, or co-creation sessions—to build skills and ensure that even smaller institutions can benefit from and contribute to the European digital heritage landscape.
Categories
- Cultural Heritage & Digital Arts: Projects focusing on the digitization and management of tangible (buildings, artifacts) and intangible (traditions, oral histories) heritage.
- Capacity Building: Training, skill-building, and digital tool adoption.
- Community Engagement: Collaborative events, surveys, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Eligibility
- Primary Applicants: Consortia of Cultural Heritage Institutions (CHIs) led by umbrella organizations, networks, or professional associations.
- Scope: Applicants must have a European, national, or regional reach.
- Focus Groups: The call is specifically targeted at supporting and engaging small and medium-sized CHIs across Europe that might otherwise lack the resources for high-level digital transitions.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Grant Amount: Up to €29,800 per project.
- Quantity: A total of 20 projects will be funded under this call.
- Networking: Integration into the ECCCH community, providing access to a massive European network of researchers, conservators, and digital experts.
- Resource Access: Early engagement with cutting-edge digital infrastructure, shared scientific resources, and training materials.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit their proposal through the official portal, typically requiring:
- Project Proposal: Outlining the objectives, planned engagement activities (e.g., workshops, surveys), and expected impact.
- Legal Status Evidence: Documents proving the legal entity status of each partner (translated into English if necessary).
- Budget Breakdown: A detailed plan for how the grant (up to €29,800) will be utilized.
- Consortium Details: Information on the participating CHIs and the lead umbrella organization.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 January 2026
Location
Online / Europe
Additional Details
This call is part of a larger strategy; while the "First Call" focused on data and the "Third Call" (planned for 2027) will focus on vertical applications, this specific call is about people and skills. It is an ideal opportunity for regional networks to secure funding to train their members on the future of European digital heritage standards.