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Our History

Founded for Research, Development and the Future

Area Science Park is a national research organisation supervised by the Ministry of University and Research, based in Trieste. It was established on 6 March 1978 through a decree for the creation of a mandated consortium for the Research Area”, signed by the then President of the Italian Republic, Giovanni Leone. 

FROM THE BEGINNING TO TODAY

An Area in constant evolution

Since its founding, the concept of the Science and Technology Park of Trieste, the largest in Italy, has taken shape. It encompasses over 80,000 square meters of surfaces equipped for R&D activities distributed on two campuses, both located on the Karst plateau of Trieste. This area fosters a strong connection between national and international research centres and companies active in various sectors, including Life Sciences, Materials, ICT, Energy and Environment. 

CAMPUS BASOVIZZA UNDER CONSTRUCTION

 

 

Building “W” under construction

2 campuses
Padriciano and Basovizza
80 thousand m²
Area of territory
59 companies
Active in various sectors
+2800 employees

Year after year

1978

The President of the Republic, Giovanni Leone, signed the decree establishing the “mandatory consortium for the establishment, management and development of the Scientific and Technological Research Area of the Province of Trieste”.

1981

Start of Area Science Park activities in the buildings of the former refugee camp of Padriciano. The Consortium for the Research Area was born.

1983

Area Science Park applies to host the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) promoted by UNIDO, the United Nations organization for industrial development.

1986

The Società Consortile per Azioni Sincrotrone Trieste, chaired by Carlo Rubbia, was born. Area Science Park currently holds 51%.

1991

First companies and research centres set up on the campus of Basovizza founded 10 km from Trieste.

1993

Activities begin at the synchrotron light laboratory. The machine is called Elettra, named after Guglielmo Marconi’s ship-laboratory.

1997

This year marks the beginning of Area Science Park’s commitment to spreading innovation and technology transfer from research to business.

1999

The Legislative Decree 381 for the reform of Research Organizations allows Area Science Park to expand its locations throughout the region. The decree introduces a representative of the Ministry of Education to the Board of Directors, highlighting the national importance of the organisation in those years. 

 

2004

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region sign the agreement assigning to Area Science Park the coordination of the Research Organisations in the Region, today known as SiS FVG – Scientific and Innovation System of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

2005

Area Science Park becomes a National Research Organisation.

2009

Beginning of the activities of Fermi – FEL, Free Electron Laser seeded which operates alongside Elettra, the third-generation synchrotron light machine.

2013

Agreement with the National Research Council for the Open Lab Support Structure

This marked the beginning of Area Science Park’s commitment to creating S&T Platforms to facilitate access to research expertise and infrastructures for public and private operators.

2016

The SiS FVG was established as an initiative aimed at enhancing the scientific and innovation system in Friuli Venezia Giulia, bringing together 17 regional scientific and innovation organisations. It was initiated by the Autonomous Region of FVG, in collaboration with the Ministries of Research and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Agreement recognised Area Science Park’s role in coordinating the achievement of the anticipated objectives.

2018

Launch of the Genomics and Epigenomics Laboratory and installation of the state-of-the-art Novaseq 6000 genomic sequencer.

The lab services and staff obtained Propel-Certified Service Provider Illumina Infinium certification for genotyping and, starting in 2020, certification for the MiseqDx instrument.​

2020

Launch of research activities in the field of Data Engineering and installation of the ORFEO Data Center, a large new infrastructure serving genomic and other fields of research.

2023

Launch of infrastructure projects under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR)

PRP@CERIC: This project, coordinated by Area Science Park, studies pathogens in order to combat the spread of new disease outbreaks.

NFFA-DI: Aims to create a full-spectrum research infrastructure for nanoscience and nanotechnology.