The Joint Programming Initiative on Cultural Heritage (JPICH) has finally taken shape, in the form of a 3-year program called the Joint Heritage European Programme (JHEP), which will coordinate the calls for research proposals. The JHEP has started 2013 with a pilot call called the JPI-JHEP Joint Pilot Call.

This call for proposals opened on January 10th, and will close April 5th. It expects networking and/or collaborative research projects of up to 3 Mo EUR and 3 years duration, and they have to include 3 partners of 3 different eligible countries. Given the nature of the JPI, participating countries fund their own partners, and establish a funding limit and additional conditions, which are specified in Annex 1 of the Guide for Applicants.
Topics covered are:

1. Methods, tools (including non-invasive instruments) and modelling for understanding damage and decay mechanisms (including the effects of weathering and climate change) on tangible heritage (including buildings, sites and landscapes);
2. Materials, technologies and procedures for the conservation of tangible cultural heritage;
3. Use and re-use of buildings and landscapes, including the relationship between changes of use and public policy, including costs and added value (for example as a result of planning regulations and urban development);
4. Increasing understanding of cultural values, valuation, interpretation, ethics and identity around all forms of cultural heritage (tangible, intangible and digital heritage).
    

In order to apply to this project, the following template will have to be completed.

More information can also be found here.