3D-4CH: Training Synergy Call

Call overview

The 3D-4CH Online Competence Centre in 3D for Cultural Heritage supports the digital transformation of cultural heritage institutions across Europe by providing an accessible online platform with standards, best practices, certified training programmes, and advanced tools for 3D digitisation, AI, and XR. The project aims to enhance the digital skills of heritage professionals, foster creation and long-term management of high-quality 3D cultural heritage content and bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications in the sector. 3D-4CH is co-funded by the European Union and carried out by a consortium of collaborating organisations. 

The Time Machine Organisation (TMO) is a partner in the 3D-4CH project. The TMO maintains and curates a worldwide network of currently more than 160 projects and initiatives – so-called Local Time Machines (LTMs) – dealing with history and heritage in specific cities or regions. 

As part of its contribution to the 3D-4CH project, the TMO is launching a Training Synergy Call within its Synergy Grants Programme. Through this call, up to six training workshop projects will be selected to design and deliver hands-on training activities in the field of 3D digital cultural heritage, aligned with the 3D-4CH curriculum. Successful applicants will receive €5,000 each (as a subcontract) to deliver the proposed training activities. 

Key facts

Up to 6 grants
€5,000 per selected activity
3D digital cultural heritage
Application deadline: 15th October 2026
Training activities aligned with the 3D-4CH curriculum
Projects starting from January 2027

Timeline

Who can apply?

This call is open to organisations with expertise in 3D digital cultural heritage. Experience in developing or delivering training activities is considered an advantage. For example: 

• Public stakeholders (e.g. local administrations, cultural agencies) 
• GLAM representatives (i.e. galleries, libraries, archives, museums) 
• Local Time Machine Projects (LTM projects) and Time Machine member organisations 
• Universities and research institutions (e.g. R&D departments, labs) 
• Private companies (e.g. digitisation service providers, technology companies) 

The main applicant may also choose to collaborate with a partner institution. This is optional but will be positively evaluated. The partner can be any organisation, for example a university, a museum, a private company, or a research institution (for instance a museum could provide venues and materials to be used in the training workshop, and partner up with a technical/education partner for the delivery of the training activities).  A partner institution could also identify some of its own staff to take part in the training, so that the collaboration works in both directions. 

What are we looking for?

We are seeking up to six training workshop projects focused on 3D digital cultural heritage. Each workshop must be thematically aligned with topics defined in the 3D-4CH curriculum. The 3D-4CH Curriculum is a framework for developing knowledge and skills in the lifecycle of a 3D project from policy to data management and reuse and can be found at the following link: 

The 3D-4CH curriculum defines topics grouped by project stage, applicants are free to choose their specific theme(s) within the field of 3D digital cultural heritage, provided they clearly indicate the curriculum topic(s) to which their workshop contributes. More than one project may be funded for the same project stage. A proposal may cover one or more project stages. 

Workshop format and duration 

The format and duration of the workshop are left open for applicants to propose, within the scope of the granted amount (€5,000). Applicants may propose a single workshop or a series of shorter, focused events. 

Embedding in existing events 

Workshops may be embedded within an existing event (e.g. a conference, summer school, or heritage festival). This can increase visibility and outreach. If the workshop is part of a larger event, the applicant must clearly describe and declare the added value of the funded activities and confirm that they are additional to what the event already covers (no double funding). 

In-person delivery with optional hybrid element 

Workshops must be designed primarily for in-person participation. A hybrid format is acceptable, where a theoretical or introductory part may be streamed online, but the hands-on training component must take place in person. The online dimension is considered an extra, not a substitute for in-person delivery.  

Language 

Workshops may be delivered in any language. If the workshop is delivered in a language other than English, the applicant is encouraged to provide English-language support material (e.g. slides, handouts).

Recording and contribution to the 3D-4CH Competence Centre 

Regardless of whether the event includes a hybrid/online component, recording of the theoretical or introductory parts of the workshop is strongly recommended. Recorded materials (e.g. video recordings of lectures, PDF documents) should be submitted to the 3D-4CH Competence Centre for inclusion in the knowledge base with a CC-BY or CC-BY-SA licence. The creation of further training materials (e.g. tutorials, guides, datasets) is similarly encouraged. Contributing any such materials will be treated as a strong positive in the evaluation. Materials submitted for inclusion in the Competence Centre must be accompanied by a completed metadata form and provided in formats compatible with the online platform (details will be provided to selected applicants). 

Target Audience 

The workshops are aimed at professionals working in or with the cultural heritage sector who wish to develop or deepen their practical skills in 3D digital cultural heritage and related workflows. This includes, for example: policy makers, managers, practitioners, students, and trainers in the cultural heritage sector. 

Eligibility criteria 

The applicant’s organisation must: 

• Be based in a member state of the European Union or in a country currently associated with Horizon Europe. 
• Not be receiving, nor have previously received, funding from the European Union or other sources for the same proposed training activities (no double funding). 
• Use the funding exclusively for the specified purposes of this call. 

Obligations 

Selected applicants must: 

• Design and deliver one or more training workshops on 3D digital cultural heritage, aligned with topics in the 3D-4CH curriculum. 
• Clearly identify the training objectives and intended outcomes for learners 
• Deliver the workshop(s) primarily in person, with hands-on training components. A hybrid complement is acceptable for theoretical parts. 
• Reach a minimum of 10 participants across all funded events.* 
• Release all materials produced under this grant under a CC-BY or CC-BY-SA licence.  
• Carry out events within the event window (January 2027 – October 2027). 
• Document the training activities and results in a short report, including participant numbers and feedback. 
• Communicate regularly the project progress with the TMO expert during the project period.  

*The number includes in-person and, where applicable, online live attendees. The applicant must describe a strategy to record and demonstrate participant numbers, identifying expected audience in the two categories. 

Benefits 

Selected applicants will: 

• Receive a EUR 5,000 subcontract to fulfil the obligations described.** 
• Have the opportunity to contribute to the 3D-4CH online competence centre and training resources. 
• Benefit from the network and visibility of the 3D-4CH consortium and the TMO. 
• Receive communication coverage from the TMO to showcase the training activities. 

** Funding will be provided in instalments, linked to the completion of specific project deliverables. 

Evaluation criteria 

Submissions will be assessed based on the following criteria: 

1. Alignment with the 3D-4CH curriculum – Clarity and relevance of the proposed workshop content in relation to the indicated curriculum topic(s). 
2. Training quality and format – Pedagogical approach, balance between theory and hands-on practice, workshop design, and accessibility, and demonstrated experience of the applicant in developing and delivering training activities. 
3. Outreach and participant engagement – Expected number of participants, strategy for reaching and involving the target audience, embedding within existing events where relevant, and approach to evaluating participant satisfaction and learning outcomes. 
4. Feasibility – Capacity and experience of the team, realistic planning, budget coherence, and risk management. 
5. Contribution to the Competence Centre – Willingness to provide recordings, training materials, or other reusable resources to the 3D-4CH Competence Centre, completing the related descriptive metadata and providing material in a supported format (strong positive).
6. Collaboration, impact and added value – Involvement of partner institutions, connection to existing events, and potential for broader impact within the cultural heritage community.  

Application procedure 

Applicants can participate by filling in the dedicated form (see button below). As part of the application, applicants will be asked to indicate the curriculum topic(s) to which their workshop relates. The 3D-4CH curriculum will be provided as an annex to the call. It is recommended to provide sufficient details in each relevant section. Only complete applications submitted through the form will be considered for evaluation. 

Questions?

If you have any questions or inquiries regarding the call and application procedure, please send an email to the TMO: ltm@timemachine.eu