RICHeS is the UK’s Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science
The RICHeS programme will unlock access to heritage science facilities by creating a distributed infrastructure of heritage science collections and equipment.
We will fund the development of a heritage science data service to enable researchers and other users to find and access facilities, reference collections and research data relating to heritage science research.
We will also create a dedicated RICHeS headquarters to encourage cooperation, networking and skills sharing.
Unlocking access to heritage science
RICHeS will fund 31 projects across the UK, including:

Our aims
1
Innovate and collaborate
Catalyse the development of an informed, collaborative and innovative UK heritage science community.
2
Meet user demand
Ensure that the heritage science sector has the capability and the capacity to meet user demand and deliver world-class scientific excellence.
3
Findable and accessible
Ensure that heritage science equipment, expertise, resources and research data are findable and accessible to users, available to external stakeholders, and capable of being leveraged by a range of partners.
Latest news

Fort Cumberland laboratories reopen as a national hub for heritage science
Historic England’s Fort Cumberland Laboratories in Portsmouth officially reopens today (Tuesday 10 June 2025) following a major year-long refurbishment, unveiling…

RICHeS visit to the National Archives: Unlocking the secrets of archival materials
The RICHeS team recently travelled to Kew to visit The National Archives and meet with the team delivering the RICHeS’…

RICHeS Regional Workshop: Enhancing Narratives
Register here to secure your place. Join us for Enhancing Narratives, a dynamic regional workshop that brings together the RICHeS…