Institutional

“Mobility of Knowledge” is the annual survey carried out by Area Science Park which, since 2005, has collected key data on students, researchers and professors belonging to the research institutions that are partners of the SiS FVG. The survey records the number of foreign researchers and students present at partner research institutes, universities and conservatories, the incoming and outgoing mobility flows, gender differences, study interests and countries of origin. According to the 2025 edition, the presence of foreign individuals within the Friuli Venezia Giulia system — which includes enrolled students, researchers and professors of the institutions, as well as incoming mobility — has more than doubled in four years, rising from 4,407 in 2021 to 9,859 in 2024, strengthening the region’s role as an international scientific hub. Students enrolled in regional universities and conservatories totalled 38,071, an increase of about 1,100 compared to the previous year. The number of foreign students also increased, rising from 7% to 8% of the total, amounting to 2,900 students. Incoming mobility includes 902 students, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, while outgoing mobility remains stable (1,062 students). Most enrolled students attend humanities and social sciences programmes (47%), followed closely by life sciences (29%) and technical-scientific disciplines (24%). Female students account for 57% of the total. In 2024, researchers and professors working in SiS FVG institutions numbered 3,813, up from 3,641 the previous year. The proportion of women remains stable at 35%. Incoming presences of foreign lecturers and researchers arriving in the region for a period — even a short one — of study or research at SiS FVG institutions amount to 5,252, showing a very slight decrease (around –180) compared to 2023, while remaining significant. The majority of these professionals (89%) work in the scientific fields of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, ICT, and Earth and Universe Sciences. Commenting on the results, the Regional Councillor for Labour, Training, Education, Research, University and Family, Alessia Rosolen, highlights how these trends confirm the effectiveness of regional actions supporting human capital: “To support the growth and development of our territory, it is essential to invest in human capital and skills, promoting the mobility of knowledge. Only in this way can we successfully face the major transitions underway. For this reason, the Regional Administration has allocated substantial resources to student support and to the university and research systems of Friuli Venezia Giulia, with an allocation of over 41 million euros for the 2025–2027 period for infrastructure investments and to support the educational and professional paths of young researchers through PhD scholarships, research grants and researcher contracts. These measures will be further strengthened thanks to the recent law on social innovation, with which we aim to enhance PhDs and research contracts in the fields of emerging and knowledge-intensive technologies. The 2025 Report produced by Area Science Park — concluded Rosolen — confirms that we are on the right path and that Friuli Venezia Giulia is becoming increasingly attractive thanks to a high-quality higher education and research system, numerous opportunities for growth and collaboration, and high levels of well-being.”   Access the interactive dashboard and download the data ➡️https://www.sisfvg.it/it/dashboard-mobilita-della-conoscenza/

The training course “Challenges and Prospects of Science Diplomacy in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe” will take place in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region from 25 to 28 November 2025. Around thirty participants from twelve CEI Member States — Italy, Slovenia, Romania, Albania, Serbia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Montenegro, Hungary, North Macedonia, Moldova and Croatia — will take part. The group will be multidisciplinary, bringing together diplomats, researchers, civil servants from ministries and public administrations, staff from universities and research institutions, business professionals, and NGO representatives. The initiative is co-organised by the CEI Executive Secretariat, the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Department of Political and Social Sciences (DISPES) of the University of Trieste, in collaboration with the Scientific and Innovation System of Friuli Venezia Giulia (SIS FVG) and the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance (EUSDA). Area Science Park — which supports and promotes the initiative — will play a leading role on the final day of the course, 28 November, with two dedicated events: There will be a contribution by Dr. Salvatore La Rosa, Director of the Research & Innovation Division, in a round table on “The Role of Research Infrastructures in Science Diplomacy”, taking place during the study visit to FERMI, the free-electron laser located on the Area Science Park campus in Basovizza; A final round table to mark the conclusion of the training programme, held at the conference centre on the Padriciano Campus and featuring President Caterina Petrillo, representatives of the CEI and EUSDA, and experts from the CNR and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to Caterina Petrillo, “Trieste, thanks to its history, geographical position and the concentration of internationally renowned scientific institutions it hosts, is the ideal place to organise a school on science diplomacy — a tool of undisputed value where training is essential. In this context, the contribution that the institution I chair can offer is twofold: on one hand, its long-standing experience in managing complex projects in the Balkan region and Central-Southern Europe; on the other, the recent development of research and technology infrastructures, which serve as hubs attracting both the scientific and business communities and as drivers of growth for the territories that host them.” The initiative is set within a particularly dynamic international and European framework. In 2025, UNESCO launched the first Global Dialogue on Science Diplomacy, while the Council of the European Union is discussing the adoption of a Recommendation encouraging Member States to develop a shared European Framework for Science Diplomacy. With this initiative, Trieste and Friuli Venezia Giulia reaffirm their role as a laboratory of international dialogue, where science becomes a driving force for peace, growth and cooperation among nations and cultures.

With a project that combines environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and technological innovation, Area Science Park has won first place in the FVGreen Award – Friuli Venezia Giulia Sustainability Prize, Energy and Climate category, Public Bodies, Consortia and Administrations section. The award recognises public institutions, companies, and organisations committed to ecological transition and the development of projects with high environmental, energy, and social value. The recognition, presented on 8 November at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste, honours Building X — a new construction on the Basovizza campus — designed to host the Electron Microscopy Laboratory (LAME) and serve as a model of sustainable public architecture. The jury’s motivation stated: ” The building, by its intended use, requires large interior volumes, high rates of air exchange, and stable temperature and humidity conditions. These demanding performances are achieved through advanced dry construction techniques and a careful selection of materials (especially wood and steel). The design, construction, and management of the spaces follow rigorous criteria of energy efficiency and circular use of materials. The building consists of demountable and recyclable components and is designed to be reversible and modular, ensuring long-term durability. To guarantee high energy performance – class A1 – both passive and active systems have been adopted. The heating, cooling and hot-water systems use exclusively heat pumps powered by electricity produced by photovoltaic panels installed on the roof. This building is a model of how the climate challenge can be turned into an opportunity for innovation and the creation of high-performance architecture”. The award was accepted by Regina Ciancio, Head of the Electron Microscopy Laboratory (LAME) at Area Science Park, and Andrea Zelco, Director of the Management and Development Division of the Science and Technology Park. “The strengthening of the organisation’s research activities dedicated to the analysis of functional materials through advanced electron microscopy required investments both in innovative instrumentation and in new, dedicated laboratory spaces. Hence, the need for a building designed with the necessary technical specifications — a project that, of course, could not disregard sustainability, bio-compatibility and energy efficiency,” explained Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park. “This project was made possible through the organisation’s own financial resources, complemented by important support from the Ministry of University and Research, earmarked for laboratory infrastructure. The expansion and modernisation plan for our campus does not end with Building X: we are already designing a second facility in Basovizza dedicated to research activities, and planning a series of green renovation projects for the existing assets of the science and technology park”.   Features of Building X Currently in an advanced phase of construction and scheduled for completion in spring 2026, Building X has a total volume of approximately 3,000 cubic metres and has been designed with strict modular and precision criteria. It combines functionality and sustainability, providing highly controlled environments in terms of thermal, acoustic and vibration stability — essential for high-precision scientific instrumentation. The new facility is a tangible example of sustainable, decarbonised architecture. It is undergoing certification under the LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design protocol, with the goal of achieving the “Silver” level, becoming one of the first public buildings in Friuli Venezia Giulia to obtain this prestigious certification. The entire project was conceived to minimise the environmental impact throughout the building’s entire life cycle: Zero fossil fuels: heating, cooling and hot-water production rely exclusively on heat pumps powered by renewable electricity. Clean energy generation: the roof hosts a 62.4 kW photovoltaic system capable of covering a substantial portion of the building’s energy needs. Sustainable and recyclable materials: the glulam-wood and steel structure, built with lightweight prefabrication techniques, ensures precision, waste reduction, and the possibility of disassembly and reuse at the end of its life. Energy efficiency: the building achieves Class A1 energy performance — an outstanding result for a high-tech scientific laboratory. Environmental integration and comfort: the south-facing roof overhang provides solar shading in summer and passive heating in winter; the use of local materials such as Aurisina stone reduces transport-related emissions and enhances the surrounding landscape. Thanks to these solutions, the building makes a concrete contribution to the decarbonisation of regional public infrastructure and serves as a replicable model for other scientific and administrative facilities. The Electron Microscopy Laboratory (LAME) at Area Science Park is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation capable of imaging and characterising materials down to sub-Ångström resolution. Its activities support research on advanced materials and the development of new technologies in the fields of functional materials, energy and nanotechnology. The laboratory operates in support of scientific research and technology transfer, strengthening the region’s competitiveness and fostering collaboration among public institutions, universities and enterprises. Beyond research, the new building will also provide spaces dedicated to training, scientific outreach and the promotion of a culture of sustainability, fully aligned with Area Science Park’s mission to combine science, innovation and environmental responsibility.

Area Science Park with the Council of Presidents shares the feelings of horror, grief, indignation, and anguish over the dramatic humanitarian crisis suffered by the Palestinian population as a result of the military actions undertaken by the Israeli Government in the territory of the Gaza Strip. The brutal terrorist attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023, can in no way justify what is being inflicted upon Palestinian civilians, who are victims of continuous attacks, bombings, and famine. It condemns the actions that have caused and continue to cause thousands of civilian deaths, including a very large number of children. It also condemns the obstruction of humanitarian aid access, in blatant violation of international humanitarian law, and the destruction of essential civilian infrastructure. This tragedy has led the International Court of Justice to declare the risk of a violation of the Genocide Convention, a conclusion confirmed by a special United Nations commission, which stated that Israel’s conduct of war in Gaza “bears the characteristics of genocide.” It recalls that the fundamental principles enshrined in the Italian Constitution and in international law require respect for human rights, the rejection of war, and the promotion of peace and cooperation among peoples. It reaffirms the steadfast commitment of the scientific research community to peace, as expressed in recent weeks by the staff of Public Research Institutions and Universities, as well as by various scientific and academic institutions. We endorse the words of the appeal issued by the National Academy of the Lincei, calling to “recognize the non-negotiable sacredness of the lives of children, women, and men, even in the Gaza Strip.” It expresses appreciation for the positions taken by the Israeli Academy of Sciences and Humanities and by the rectors of the main Israeli universities, who have called on the Israeli Government to undertake clear and decisive initiatives to preserve human lives in the Gaza Strip. It affirms that dialogue and diplomacy are the means for resolving conflicts and emphasizes the importance of the role of scientific and cultural diplomacy as tools for building international cooperation in favor of peace. Area Science Park therefore commits itself to promoting and strengthening specific support measures for students and researchers from Palestine, as well as from other areas affected by conflicts; to encouraging initiatives of scientific and educational cooperation with institutions from all countries in order to contribute to the affirmation and strengthening of a culture of peace, dialogue, and inclusion; to reaffirming the role of the scientific community as dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge but also to the protection of fundamental rights and the building of conditions for peaceful coexistence among individuals and peoples; and to upholding the very nature and foundation of science as a space of cooperation, dialogue, and peaceful and collaborative exchange among individuals and peoples, beyond any border, diversity, or conflict.

The ordinary fund allocated to research bodies and institutions (FOE) for 2025 amounts to approximately €1.5 billion, with an increase of €10 million compared to last year. The Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, has signed the decree allocating €1,485,883,600 for the ordinary operation of public research bodies under the supervision of Ministry of University and Research (MUR). “National research bodies are strategic outposts of knowledge and experimentation,” explains Minister Bernini. “They are essential hubs of expertise and analysis for our country and researchers around the world. This year too, we have increased resources not only for their routinary functioning but – above all – so they can boost extraordinary project initiatives driving innovation.” Within the 2025 FOE, Italy’s contribution to the budget of the Intergovernmental Commission for Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean Sea (CIESM) has been reactivated. The funding amounts to €365,024 and will allow Italy to regain its right to participate and vote in the organization’s decisions. Italy had lacked an official representative on the CIESM board since 2016. Among the research bodies receiving MUR funds, two have their main headquarters in Trieste: Area Science Park and the National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS). Area Science Park will receive €34,669,141 this year, compared to €34,433,040 in 2024, thus with an increase of €236,101. “The increase in the ordinary fund allocated to Area Science Park will be dedicated to launching the FUTURA Technology Foresight project, which will focus on analyzing and developing possible scenarios related to the impact of artificial intelligence in the life sciences sector to address the major challenges of the future,” declared President Caterina Petrillo. “The project is part of our strategy to strengthen our research infrastructures, particularly those dedicated to omics sciences and frontier biotechnologies. This is a pilot initiative that could also be applied in the sustainable energy technology sector and in research on new materials, where the use of AI for scientific development and laboratory infrastructure can be optimized through the predictivity of scenarios” Petrillo added. The FUTURA project aims to develop processes and methods for constructing and analyzing possible futures to anticipate technological changes, challenges, and impacts, and to develop a long-term vision that enables present-day actions to target the most desirable scenarios. The remaining available funds, amounting to €40,314,760  – an increase of €472,082 compared to €39,842,678 in 2024 – are allocated to three main funding categories. Among these is the allocation for Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., which will receive €14 million, consistently with 2024. The allocation of FOE resources is based on the multi-year activity plans prepared by the recipient bodies, in line with the guidelines of the National Research Program (PNR). These funds are also intended to support the participation of MUR-affiliated public research bodies in European Research Infrastructure Consortiums (ERICs) or in the projects they carry out.

On the Italian Research Day in the World, Ambassador Giorgio Marrapodi hosted Professor Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park, in the evocative setting of Palazzo di Venezia in Istanbul. The evening was moderated by Ms. Dilek Bil, Independent Board Member of Aydem Renewable Energy. The event offered an important opportunity to explore topics such as research, innovation, scientific cooperation between Italy and Turkey, and the growing role of female leadership in the world of research. Several themes were addressed, connected to the role of women in science, from the contributions they can give, to the importance of STEM education starting from the earliest school levels. In his remarks, Ambassador Marrapodi emphasized “the importance of scientific research as a natural bridge for dialogue between countries and cultures, as well as an essential tool for tackling major global challenges together.” Before the dialogue with Ms. Dilek Bil, President Petrillo illustrated the activities and strategic objectives of Area Science Park, highlighting the importance of promoting open scientific ecosystems capable of connecting talents, companies, and research institutions in a virtuous network of collaboration and innovation.

More than forty representatives from Slovenian ministries and national agencies visited Area Science Park to learn about its research infrastructures and main activities in the S&T park in Trieste, as well as to create networking opportunities to foster future collaborations. The visit was part of the joint training activities envisaged under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), promoted by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency – ARIS, in collaboration with SPIRIT Slovenia, Business Development Agency. The visit took place on June 10 at the Basovizza Campus, where the morning was dedicated to Elettra Sincrotrone and FERMI (Free Electron Laser), scientific infrastructures with an international scope. In the afternoon, participants — divided into three thematic groups according to their scientific and technological interests — had the opportunity to visit Area Science Park’s laboratories and some of the tenant research centers and companies. Three thematic paths were proposed: one focused on Life Sciences, with visits to the Genomics and Epigenomics laboratories of Area Science Park, the National Research Council’s Institute of Materials (IOM-CNR), and the Italian Liver Foundation; a second path was dedicated to Innovative Materials, with  focus on  energy supply chains and advanced materials, involving the company AEP Polymers, and including experiences from the Electron Microscopy laboratories of Area Science Park and IOM-CNR; a third path was dedicated to Digital and Innovation, featuring technological and innovation infrastructures projects of Area Science Park—such as EDIH and the ORFEO Data Center—involving innovative companies such as Dronus, PLUS, and Primo Principio. The visit is part of the broader framework of international collaborations Area Science Park is involved in to promote integration among research systems, technology transfer, and innovation at the European level.

Giorgio Marrapodi, the Italian Ambassador to Turkey, visited Area Science Park accompanied by a delegation composed of Turkish and Italian entrepreneurs, professors, and dignitaries who live and work in the Republic of Turkey. Welcoming the delegation were the Director General, Dr. Anna Sirica, and the President of Area Science Park, Professor Caterina Petrillo, who presented the national research institution, the key milestones in its history, and its strategic priorities for the coming years: from the development and implementation of the institution’s research infrastructures to the management of the Trieste science and technology park, as well as projects related to green hydrogen. A brief focus was dedicated to the research activities of the Laboratory of Genomics and Epigenomics, presented by its facility Manager, Danilo Licastro. The Turkish delegation also had the opportunity to visit the laboratories of Dr. Schär, a leading company in the production of gluten-free and specialty dietary foods, which has a research and development laboratory within Area Science Park. Finally, the Ambassador and the delegation met with Valentino Pediroda, CEO of Modefinance, and Pinar Dilek, Rating Process Manager at the company, which is Europe’s first Credit Rating Fintech Agency, born from a university spin-off incubated at Area Science Park.

Trieste is a “city of science, research, and innovation”. These were the words of Martin Briens, French Ambassador to Italy, who visited Area Science Park and the Elettra Synchrotron Light Laboratory last week. The Ambassador and his delegation, consisting of Rachel Caruhel, Deputy Consul General, Pauline Le Louargant, Political Advisor, and Capucine Louis, Business Economics Expert, have been accompanied to Area by Riccardo Illy, Honorary Consul of France in Trieste. Welcoming the delegation were Area Science Park President Caterina Petrillo, General Manager Anna Sirica, and Director of the Research and Innovation Division Salvatore La Rosa. The first part of the meeting was dedicated to presenting the Institution and its strategic activities, focusing on Artificial Intelligence and Life Sciences; in the second part, Ambassador Briens had the opportunity to meet and engage in discussions with representatives of Aindo, an innovative startup using AI to generate synthetic data based on real data. Later, the French delegation visited the Elettra Synchrotron Light Laboratory at the Basovizza campus.    

During the second National Week of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), scheduled from 4 to 11 February 2025, the fundamental role of women in research and innovation is a crucial issue and one to which Area Science Park has always paid special attention. At our Research Institute, 57% of employees are women, with a female presence of 54.8% among researchers and technologists. Women play a leading role in the top positions and positions of responsibility within the Institute: both the President and the General Manager are women, while 62.5% of Office Managers are female. Area Science Park has 2,800 employees, 37% of whom are women. Three-quarters of the science park’s staff hold a university degree or a PhD. All the figures mentioned are particularly significant in a scientific sector that is still predominantly male and they demonstrate Area Science Park’s commitment to encouraging gender equality and promoting female leadership and growth paths in STEM disciplines. Through collaborations with universities, companies and research centres, Area supports the entry of young women into scientific careers, thus helping to create a fairer and more innovative future. STEM Week 2025 represents another opportunity to reinforce this commitment and inspire new generations of female scientists, engineers and technologists. As in previous editions, Area joins many national research institutions in supporting the MUR’s communication campaign for STEM Week and the ‘International Day of Women and Girls in Science’.

Adina Lovin, Consul General of the Republic of Romania in Trieste, visited Area Science Park to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s scientific landscape and to identify and promote new collaboration models. Accompanied by Sabrina Strolego, Honorary Consul of Austria in Trieste, Adina Lovin was welcomed by Caterina Petrillo, President of the national research institution, who presented the key activities currently being developed at Area Science Park: from research and technological infrastructure development to investments in the hydrogen sector. Part of the meeting to the Institution’s initiatives supporting enterprises, both in digital transformation and in the development of new deep-tech companies. Afterward, the Consul General of Romania visited the Elettra Synchrotron Light Laboratory and met with some Romanian scientists working at Area Science Park campuses. During the visit, Adina Lovin expressed her commitment to supporting and promoting scientific exchange projects and collaboration between the two countries.

The research infrastructure for pathogen studies and the development of green hydrogen projects were key topics of the visit to Area Science Park by the Australian Deputy Ambassador to Rome, Siddhartha Chakrabarti. Accompanied by Marco Lazzarino, science attaché of the Italian Embassy in Canberra, Siddhartha Chakrabarti was welcomed in Area Science Park by the Director of the Research and Innovation Division, Salvatore La Rosa, who presented the institution and its main strategic activities. Following this, Alberto Soraci outlined the hydrogen-related projects (Nahv,  I-CAMPUS-H2 and H2SmartLab) and Stefano Cozzini introduced  “Pathogen Readiness Platform for CERIC-ERIC Upgrade” PRP@Ceric, a research infrastructure funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and coordinated by Area Science Park in partnership with CNR – National Research Council (Institute of Materials and Institute of Crystallography), University of Salerno, University of Naples and University of Salento. Additionally, Deputy Ambassador Siddhartha Chakrabarti had the opportunity to visit ICGEB, CNR-IOM, and the Elettra Synchrotron Light Laboratory.