Societal impact of cultural heritage

Overview

Funding for research projects that explore the societal impact of cultural heritage, focusing on cultural participation, gender roles, or cohesion and security. Targets interdisciplinary consortia aiming to produce policy recommendations, toolkits, and case studies to strengthen social inclusion, resilience, and democratic values.

Who Can Apply

Consortia of legal entities (e.g., universities, research institutions, cultural organizations, NGOs, public bodies) from eligible countries. Participation of non-EU/non-associated countries is possible if funding is secured through specific provisions.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant: €5,000,000
• Funding rate: Not specified (lump-sum model)
• Total budget: Not specified

What Is Funded

Projects must address one of the following areas: 1. Cultural participation and access to cultural heritage: Barriers to access, inclusive models, and empowerment of young people and disadvantaged groups. 2. Gender roles and identities: Representation in cultural narratives, intersectional analysis, and policy recommendations for inclusivity. 3. Cultural heritage, cohesion, and security: Shared heritage as a tool for resilience, countering disinformation, and managing polarizing narratives.

Supported activities include empirical research, participatory methodologies, policy innovation, pilot projects, and dissemination of toolkits and guidelines. Collaboration with educational institutions and cultural heritage platforms (e.g., European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage) is encouraged.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must operate at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4–6, indicating validation in a lab or relevant environment to early demonstration in an operational setting.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-05-12
• Deadline: 2027-09-22T22:00:00Z

Application Process (High-Level)

Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals must adhere to page limits and templates outlined in the call documentation. Evaluation follows standard Horizon Europe criteria, with awards prioritized to ensure a balanced portfolio across the three thematic areas.

Post-Award Obligations

• Reporting: Standard Horizon Europe requirements apply.
• Dissemination: Policy recommendations, toolkits, and case studies must be publicly shared.
• Ownership/Licensing: The granting authority may object to transfers of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to 4 years post-project.

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries (Norway, Iceland, UK, Switzerland), and select non-associated countries with specific funding provisions.
• Application language: English.

Notes

• Proposals must clearly indicate the chosen thematic area (A, B, or C).
• Interdisciplinary and participatory approaches are mandatory.
• Projects should leverage existing EU-funded platforms (e.g., ECCCH) and avoid duplication of prior research.
• Lump-sum funding model applies; detailed budget tables are required.