🧑🏻💻Deadline Step 1: 20 April 2026 – 17:00 (Brussels time)
CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE is a European call supporting funding for innovation in cultural heritage, targeting SMEs active in the Cultural Heritage Value Chain (CHVC). Funded under the Single Market Programme (SMP-COSME – Euroclusters), the initiative supports collaborative innovation projects aligned with the green and digital transition, strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy in the cultural sector.
The call follows a two-step approach: a mandatory capacity building phase followed by funding for selected collaborative projects.
👉 Who can apply
Eligible applicants include:
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SMEs according to the EU definition (Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC)
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Companies established in countries participating in the Single Market Programme
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Consortia composed of at least 2 SMEs (mandatory for Step 2)
Main requirements:
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Financial soundness
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No exclusion conditions (Article 136 EU Financial Regulation)
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Compliance with DNSH principle, AI Act (if applicable), GDPR and EU funding visibility rules
🎯Objectives of the call
The call supports collaborative projects that:
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Strengthen the Cultural Heritage Value Chain
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Contribute to the green and digital twin transition
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Enhance European strategic autonomy
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Integrate EU-based digital technologies
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Engage Innovation Leaders
✈️ Why this is a strategic opportunity
This call represents a concrete opportunity to access European funding for innovation in cultural heritage, through a simplified lump sum mechanism and a strong focus on SME collaboration.
It is particularly relevant for:
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Creative and cultural enterprises
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Heritage-tech SMEs
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Cultural companies undergoing digital transformation
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Innovative startups in the heritage sector
👉 Proposals must apply under one of the following strands:
🔹 Strand 1 – Product Innovation
Development of new-to-the-firm products or services.
🔹 Strand 2 – Process Innovation
Business process innovation linked to digitalisation and sustainability.
💸 Available funding
Total budget: € 1,970,000
Grant amounts:
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Strand 1: € 120,000 (fixed lump sum per consortium of at least 2 SMEs)
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Strand 2: € 77,000 (fixed lump sum per consortium of at least 2 SMEs)
👉 Maximum amount per SME: € 60,000
A minimum 15% co-financing of the total project budget is required. Higher co-financing rates will receive additional evaluation points.
⏰ Deadlines and application process
🔹 Step 1 – Concept Note
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Opening: 19 February 2026
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Deadline: 20 April 2026
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No budget required at this stage
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No direct funding provided under Step 1
Step 1 Application Form: https://www.f6s.com/cultural-heritage-grants-step-1/apply
🔹 Mandatory Capacity Building
May, June 2026 – Participation is mandatory to access Step 2 funding.
🔹 Step 2 – Full Collaborative Project
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Opening: June 2026
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Deadline: 31 August 2026
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Project duration: 12 months
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Total duration (Step 1 + 2): 14 months
Call presentation webinar: 17 March 2026 (online)
🔗 Official call link
Funding & Tenders Portal official page:
🧑🏻💻 Support and advisory services
Do you have a project aligned with the objectives of this call?
The Venetian Cluster team can support you with:
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Eligibility assessment
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Consortium building
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Strategic selection of the most suitable strand
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Support in Step 1 and Step 2 applications
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Guidance throughout the capacity building phase
Contact us by indicating in the subject line:
CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE – Application Interest
info: cascadefunding@basilcatacreativa.it
SEGUICI
CREATIVITY BASED