# Designing a FAIR Catalogue of Services for the Heritage Science community

## TL;DR

The paper describes the creation of a FAIR-compliant digital platform that helps heritage science researchers find and access scientific services, enhancing collaboration and accessibility.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the development of a co-created, FAIR-aligned, and AI-enhanced service catalogue tailored for the heritage science community.

## Key findings

- The E-RIHS Catalogue of Services is now operational, providing a unified access point for heritage science services.
- The platform includes features like semantic search, multilingual support, and an AI-based recommendation engine.
- User feedback is integrated to continuously improve the platform's functionality and relevance.

## Abstract

The European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS), recently granted with European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) legal status, aims to advance research by facilitating access to cutting-edge scientific services and tools in the domain of heritage science. One of the major challenges and achievements during its implementation phase (2022–2024, G.A. 101079148) was the creation of the Catalogue of Services (CoS)—a digital platform that helps users find, request, and manage access to both physical and digital services offered by E-RIHS partners.

This paper introduces the concept, design, and development of the E-RIHS CoS, emphasising how it follows FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and Open Science principles. Built with a strong focus on real research needs, the platform features a flexible and scalable architecture. It includes tools like semantic search, automated workflows, and customized dashboards based on user roles. The paper also places the CoS in the broader context of similar platforms from other research infrastructures, and point out its novel features—such as a recommendation engine, multilingual support, and advanced data analytics.

Now, the E-RIHS CoS is online, providing a single access entry to E-RIHS ERIC services and making easy to find and select the most adequate scientific services based on the users’ research questions. It is a solid and forward-thinking digital tool designed to support high-quality research, foster collaboration, and make heritage science more inclusive and accessible.

Heritage Science is an interdisciplinary domain focused on the scientific study of cultural and natural heritage, bridging the humanities and the sciences. Researchers in this field require access to scientific laboratories and services to better understand, study, interpret, analyze, and intervene on cultural or natural objects.

Many of these services are now accessible thanks to E-RIHS, the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science. Its online Catalogue of Services provides an easy, research-need-oriented way to explore and access these resources.

The Catalogue was developed as a standalone FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) platform, integrated with automated workflows and an AI-based recommendation engine designed to assist even non-expert users in identifying the most suitable services for their projects.

Created through a co-creation process, the platform has become one of the most advanced tools available to the heritage science community and continues to evolve based on user feedback.