Organization and governance
Organization of the ERIC
Governance and structure
We are a distributed Research Infrastructure with a formal structure and two operational levels: a Central Hub (or Headquarters) and 14 National Nodes.
On 28 May 2025, E-RIHS was officially established as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), marking a significant milestone in its development since its inclusion in the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) Roadmap in 2016. With this new status, E-RIHS strengthens its role as a key player in heritage science, both in Europe and beyond.
E-RIHS ERIC’s members are Member States of the European Union, EU-associated countries, third countries other than associated countries, and intergovernmental organizations.
Members may assign the observer status to potential members interested in joining the research infrastructure but not yet ready to become a member; E-RIHS has currently 3 observers: ICCROM, Austria and Sweden.
E-RIHS ERIC’s is structured as follows:
The General Assembly
It is the governing body of E-RIHS ERIC and it is composed of representatives of the members and the observers. It directs and supervises the research infrastructure. Each Member State representative has a single vote.
The Director General
The Director General is the legal representative of E-RIHS ERIC, and elaborates the strategic plan of the research infrastructure.
The Scientific and Ethics Advisory Board
It offers advice on request or on its own initiative to the General Assembly on the overall activities and policies of E-RIHS ERIC. The members are appointed by the General Assembly.
The Committee of National Nodes
Made up of the coordinators of each E-RIHS National Node, it ensures coherence across the infrastructure, aligns scientific strategies, represents user communities, and oversees policy implementation. It contributes to the annual service offer and reports to the General Assembly through the Director General.
The Central Hub
It operates as the main access point to the research infrastructure. It provides operational and administrative support to the Director and helps E-RIHS ERIC in the coordination and management activities.
It is hosted in Florence, Italy. From 2024, the Headquarters is at the new and innovative hub, Manifattura Tabacchi, an old tobacco factory, recently regenerated with an innovative and creative urban plan to give a new life to the historic buildings designed by Giovanni Bartoli and Pier Luigi Nervi. Here past, present and future meet.
Visit our space in Manifattura Tabacchi
National Nodes
The National Nodes operate at the national level in diverse legal frameworks, represent Members and coordinate facilities at the national level. They are managed by their National Coordinators.
National Nodes’ Members offer access to research facilities, training, consultancy, technology transfer, and dissemination, regulated by specific policies.
ICCROM | Prospective permanent observer
ICCROM is an intergovernmental organization working in service to its Member States to promote the conservation of all forms of cultural heritage in every region of the world. Its headquarters is in Rome, Italy.