Did you finalize Step 1? Now it’s time to turn your idea into a complete application. Step 2 of the CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE call opened on 30 June 2026 and will remain open until 31 August 2026. During this period, applicants whose concepts were selected in Step 1 can prepare their final project proposal.
This is the step where the idea takes shape: what you want to develop, who you will work with, what activities you propose, what results you aim for and how your project can bring innovation to cultural heritage.
Who is Step 2 for?
Step 2 is addressed to applicants whose project concepts were selected in Step 1 of the CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE call.
At this step, projects must be developed in detail and prepared for the final evaluation. Applicants will work on the complete structure of the proposal together with the partners in their consortium.
Application period
Step 2 is open during the following period: 30 June – 31 August 2026
Applicants have two months to prepare the complete application, clarify the roles of the partners and check the documents required for submission.
What needs to be prepared in Step 2?
In Step 2, the approved concept must be turned into a complete project proposal.
The application must clearly explain:
- what the project idea is
• what activities will be carried out
• who the partners involved are
• what role each partner has
• what budget is needed
• what results are expected
• how the project contributes to innovation in cultural heritage
A strong application should be clear, realistic and coherent. The proposed activities, budget, partners and results should support each other and form a well-structured proposal.
Available funding
Within the CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE call, EU funding can reach up to €60,000 per participating SME, depending on the structure of the consortium and the type of project.
The grant awarded at project level is:
- €120,000 for projects under Product Innovation
• €77,000 for projects under Process Innovation
It is important to note that the EU grant does not cover the entire project budget. It can represent up to 85% of the total project budget, while the consortium must provide a minimum co-financing contribution of 15%.
The co-financing is calculated based on the total project budget, not on the value of the EU grant.
For example, for a €120,000 grant, the minimum total project budget will be approximately €142,000, including the minimum 15% co-financing. For a €77,000 grant, the minimum total project budget will be approximately €91,000, including the required co-financing.
All funded SMEs participating in the consortium are required to contribute to this co-financing share, either through their own resources and/or through external private funding.
Therefore, when preparing the complete application, it is important to build a realistic budget and to clearly define each partner’s financial contribution, in line with the proposed activities.
Where and how to apply
Applications for Step 2 must be submitted online, through the official F6S platform, between 30 June and 31 August 2026.
To submit the complete application, applicants must consult the official call documents, complete the required forms and upload the project proposal on the application platform.
The main steps are:
- consult the call guidelines and the documents for Step 2
• check the eligibility of the consortium and the partners involved
• clearly define each partner’s role in the project
• prepare the complete application, including activities, budget, results and impact
• check the funding and co-financing requirements
• upload the required documents on the F6S platform before the deadline
Applications can be submitted here:
{APPLICATION LINK}
We recommend that applicants do not leave the submission until the last few days, in order to have enough time to check the documents, clarify any inconsistencies and make sure the proposal is complete.
Product Innovation or Process Innovation?
Complete applications must be developed under one of the two strands of the call:
Product Innovation: this strand is suitable for projects proposing new products, services or solutions for the cultural heritage sector.
Process Innovation: this strand is suitable for projects proposing improvements to processes, working methods or ways of organising activities within the cultural heritage value chain.
The selected strand must be well connected to the activities and results proposed in the application.
Please note: the funding strand selected in Step 1 cannot be changed. Therefore, if in Step 1 of the funding call you selected Strand 1: Product Innovation, the project must be developed under the same strand.
Recommendations for applicants
Before submission, applicants are encouraged to carefully check a few essential aspects:
- the project objectives are clear
• the activities are realistic and well explained
• each partner has a clearly defined role
• the budget is aligned with the proposed activities
• the results are concrete and measurable
• the project has a clear connection to cultural heritage
• the official call documents have been consulted
Preparing the application in advance can help avoid unclear sections and support the development of a stronger proposal.
Support from OpenHub
OpenHub Creative Cluster continues to support the Romanian community by providing information and clarifications related to the CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE call.
In the coming period, we will continue to share useful information about Step 2, application preparation, consortia, budget and the next steps.
For questions or clarifications, you can contact us at: projects@openhub.ro
About CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE
CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE is a European project that supports innovation in the cultural heritage value chain through collaboration between SMEs, clusters, technology providers, cultural organisations and other relevant actors from the European ecosystem.
The project supports the development of new solutions, international collaborations and initiatives that can transform cultural heritage into a resource for innovation, growth and sustainable development.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
