CR. EU. IN. HERITAGE: Cultural Heritage Innovation Grants

CR.EU.IN.HERITAGE is a European project launched under the SMP-COSME 2024 Euroclusters programme, designed to foster cross-sector innovation within the Cultural Heritage Value Chain (CHVC). The project is coordinated by Venetian Cluster (Italy), with the support of Corallia and eight other European partners, forming a strong consortium of cluster organisations across nine EU countries.

Through this Call for Proposals, CR.EU.IN.HERITAGE aims to select at least 20 projects across Europe, funding at least 40 SMEs to implement cross-innovation initiatives related to the Cultural Heritage Value Chain.

The Call offers financial support through two distinct strands:

• Strand 1 – Product Innovation: Directed at the development of new-to-the-firm products or services (Grant amount: €120,000.00 fixed lump sum for consortia of at least 2 SMEs).
• Strand 2 – Process Innovation: Directed at business process innovation linked to green and digital transition (Grant amount: €77,000.00 fixed lump sum for consortia of at least 2 SMEs).

The maximum amount that will be granted to each SME is €60,000.00.

The submission procedure follows a two-step approach:

• Step 1 (Concept Note): Applicants (individual SMEs or existing groups) submit a concise project concept and select a strand to apply to (Strand 1: Product innovation; Strand 2: Process Innovation). Budget forecast is not required at this stage. Please note that being awarded under Step 1 of the call does not entail any financing. Only the SMEs selected under Step 2 of the call (opening in June 2026, after completion of Step 1) will receive funding. Mandatory Capacity Building: Applicants must participate in the “Capacity Building and Matchmaking Programme” (May–June 2026). Completion of this programme is a strict prerequisite to be considered eligible to apply under Step 2.
• Step 2 (Full Collaborative Project): Detailed information about Step 2 can be found in the call.

APPLY NOW for STEP 1

Deadline: 20 April 2026.

Find more information in the call document, and the call annexes.