European Infrastructure for Technology in Service of Art

E-Rihs Eric, the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science, has officially been established as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC). This initiative brings together research centers, universities, restoration laboratories, and archives across Europe to provide free services to the best projects selected by an international panel.

The mission of E-Rihs Eric is to leverage technology for the study and preservation of cultural heritage. From uncovering the secrets of pigments in paintings to analyzing the composition of ancient textiles and identifying archaeological sites, this infrastructure aims to revolutionize heritage science.

Now formally recognized as a consortium, E-Rihs Eric coordinates efforts across 11 countries, with its headquarters based in Florence, Italy. The facility will be located within the regenerated spaces of the former Manifattura Tabacchi industrial site, provided by Fondazione CR Firenze, with support from the Ministry of University and Research and the National Research Council (CNR).

Anna Maria Bernini, Minister of University and Research, highlighted the significance of E-Rihs Eric, stating that its establishment marks a turning point for research and innovation in cultural heritage. She emphasized that Italy’s selection as the host country is no coincidence, as the nation has heavily invested in this unique infrastructure. Over the past years, the Ministry has allocated more than 35 million euros in both regular and strategic funding to support this initiative, reaffirming its commitment to fostering Italian scientific excellence in a field that bridges cultural history with cutting-edge research.

Maria Chiara Carrozza, President of the CNR, also expressed her satisfaction with the achievement, recognizing the role of the CNR and its partners in developing this European research infrastructure. She noted that the CNR has coordinated the national branch of E-Rihs with contributions from the National Institute for Nuclear Physics and the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Economic Development. These institutions provide state-of-the-art laboratories and extensive expertise at both national and European levels, further strengthening the project’s impact.