H2IOSC Booklet: Strengthening Research Infrastructures Consolidating the Federation

This booklet presents the H2IOSC (Humanities and Cultural Heritage Italian Open Science Cloud) initiative, focusing on its role in strengthening research infrastructures and consolidating a national federation within the Social Sciences and Humanities domain. Coordinated by the Italian National Research Council (CNR), H2IOSC brings together leading European Research Infrastructures to create an integrated, collaborative ecosystem for digital research. By federating distributed resources, services, and expertise, H2IOSC enhances the accessibility, interoperability, and sustainability of research infrastructures, enabling coordinated access to tools, datasets, and advanced technologies. The booklet illustrates how this federated approach supports diverse user communities—including researchers, cultural institutions, and industry stakeholders—through a unified entry point and a comprehensive portfolio of digital, enabling, and training services. Particular attention is given to the processes that underpin infrastructure strengthening, including service validation, technological maturity assessment, and user-driven evaluation activities. These mechanisms contribute to improving service quality, aligning technological development with user needs, and ensuring long-term impact. The publication also outlines the Cluster’s strategic vision for consolidating the federation, expanding its user base, and fostering partnerships across research, culture, and the private sector, reinforcing its role within the European Open Science ecosystem.