Safeguarding & transmission of intangible cultural heritage

Overview

Funding for research projects that enhance the safeguarding and transmission of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in line with the 2003 UNESCO Convention, with a focus on digital technologies, intergenerational transmission, and the role of communities in preserving cultural and biological diversity.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, cultural organizations, NGOs, public bodies, and consortia from EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and select non-associated countries with specific funding provisions.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: 5,000,000 EUR per project.
• Funding is provided as a lump sum.
• Financial support to third parties is permitted in the form of grants, with a maximum of 60,000 EUR per third party.

What Is Funded

Projects must address:

• State of play and challenges in safeguarding ICH under the UNESCO 2003 Convention.
• Effective strategies for documenting and transmitting ICH, including digital, audio-visual, and advanced technologies.
• Community-led initiatives, intergenerational transmission, and youth involvement.
• Links between ICH and biodiversity preservation, as well as its role in fostering social and economic innovation.
• Policy solutions for ICH safeguarding and its mobilization as a resource for societal resilience.
• Transdisciplinary collaborations across fields such as heritage studies, anthropology, media studies, and musicology.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must operate at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 to 6.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-05-12
• Deadline: 2027-09-22

Application Process (High-Level)

Single-stage application process via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals must adhere to the page limits and layout specified in the call documentation.

Post-Award Obligations

• The granting authority may object to the transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to four years post-project.
• Reporting and dissemination requirements as outlined in the grant agreement.

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland.
• Application language: English.

Notes

• Proposals must build on existing research and platforms, such as the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH) and the Common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage.
• Projects should establish links with related Horizon Europe actions, particularly those under HORIZON-CL2-2025-HERITAGE-02.