The European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS) will support research on heritage interpretation, preservation, documentation and management. It will comprise E-RIHS Headquarters and National Hubs, fixed and mobile national infrastructures of recognized excellence, physically accessible archives and virtually accessible data bases. Both cultural and natural heritage will be addressed: collections, buildings, and archaeological sites, digital and intangible heritage. E-RIHS is currently in the Preparatory Phase which will be used to address legal status and governance / management organization. The establishment of a legal structure and governance and the refinement of the business plan for long-term sustainability will be the three most important deliverables, together with demonstrations of user access as implemented by the consortium availing of the existing infrastructure projects.