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Welcome Office Friuli Venezia Giulia is an initiative providing dedicated support to international students and researchers, as well as their family members, across the region. Developed within the framework of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Scientific and Innovation System – SiS FVG, which brings together 22 of the region’s leading scientific organisations, it is managed by Area Science Park with the aim of enhancing the attractiveness of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s scientific and academic ecosystem. The initiative also builds on Area Science Park’s experience as a centre of the pan-European EURAXESS network, which supports researcher mobility and professional development. Welcome Office FVG was established to integrate and strengthen the services available to the many international students and researchers who choose Friuli Venezia Giulia each year, attracted by the region’s high concentration of leading scientific institutions. Through its information portal and help desks in Trieste and Udine, Welcome Office provides information and assistance throughout the relocation process, from preparing for arrival to settling in and living in the region. In 2026, these services were further expanded, starting with the new website, which went online in July and was completely redesigned in terms of visual identity, content organisation and available tools. The portal makes it easier to find the information needed to relocate to and live in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Sections covering entry and residence procedures and key aspects of everyday life have been updated and expanded, with information ranging from obtaining a tax identification number and accessing healthcare to Italian language courses and the recognition of foreign driving licences. Illustrations and infographics make complex procedures easier to understand, while video tutorials and the new virtual assistant help users navigate the available content. The portal therefore strengthens pre-arrival information services while complementing the in-person support provided by the help desks. At the same time, cooperation with local authorities has been strengthened. Since 25 March, Welcome Office FVG has been holding weekly meetings with the Immigration Office of the Trieste Police Headquarters (Questura), open to all partner organisations. These meetings provide a regular opportunity for direct discussion on the issuance of residence permits and the handling of procedures concerning students, researchers and their family members. The ASUGI health districts have also been involved to provide further guidance on procedures for foreign nationals registering with the National Health Service. Data from the first six months of 2026 illustrate the scale of the services provided. The Trieste and Udine help desks assisted a total of 417 people, including students, PhD candidates, researchers and their family members. A further 23 representatives of public bodies, private organisations and companies involved in international mobility and welcome services also received assistance, bringing the total number of users assisted to 440. The Trieste help desk, managed by Area Science Park, assisted a total of 132 users: 109 individuals, including 48 students, 43 PhD candidates and researchers, and 18 family members or workers, as well as 23 representatives of public bodies, private organisations and companies involved in international mobility and welcome services. Of the 109 individuals, 81% were already in the region when they requested assistance and, overall, two thirds of users came from non-EU countries. The Udine help desk, managed by the University of Udine, assisted 285 users, including 252 students and 33 PhD candidates and researchers. Of these, 84% came from EU countries and 16% from non-EU countries. The majority of users received support before arriving in the region. SiS FVG is an initiative of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Universities and Research, aimed at promoting the Friuli Venezia Giulia Scientific and Innovation System.

From 14 to 18 September 2026, a delegation from Area Science Park made up of Mariarita de Luca and Federica Bazzocchi, researchers at the Laboratory of Data Engineering – LADE, and Federica Mantovani, Infrastructure Manager, visited the Center for Research, Development and Innovation in Digital Technologies at ESPOL (Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral), a historic public university based in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The mission is part of EU-CELAC, the European initiative that promotes scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. The visit, whose main goal was to explore cooperation opportunities in fields related to edge AI and intelligent systems, ideally represents the exchange counterpart to the study visit hosted by Area Science Park in June 2026, also under EU-CELAC, when a delegation of Latin American universities and research centres visited the ORFEO Data Center. During the week, the delegation visited several ESPOL research centres, including CIDIS – Centro de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación de Sistemas Computacionales, a centre dedicated to developing technologies based on computer vision, machine learning, robotics and energy systems, and CTI – Centro de Tecnologías de Información, dedicated to research on information and communication technologies, with activities also touching on industrial artificial intelligence and technologies for intelligent environments. The delegation also visited CIBE – Centro de Biotecnología, whose mission is to generate, apply, transfer and disseminate biotechnological solutions to support the competitiveness of the agricultural industry, and SOLCA, one of the most advanced oncology institutes in Ecuador and the region. The meetings with ESPOL’s research groups brought out several lines and areas of collaboration around which shared interests could converge and complementary activities be developed: among these, drug discovery, virology, oncology, multiomics, hydrogen, robotics and new materials. Alongside these research lines, discussions also covered programmes for sharing guidelines and best practices, pathways to support the management and definition of research infrastructure sustainability programmes, and technology transfer initiatives. The theme at the heart of the collaboration remains, in particular, data management according to FAIR principles, for which the groundwork was laid for future structured training programmes. Alongside the visit, the Area Science Park representatives spoke at the workshop “First Summer School on Research Data and FAIR Principles – Ecuador Edition“, promoted by ESPOL, Universidad Indoamerica, the Ministerio de Educación, Deporte y Cultura of the Government of Ecuador, ISTICI, Area Science Park and CEDIA, and held over two sessions: on 18 September in Guayaquil and on 21 September in Quito. During the sessions, Mariarita de Luca, Federica Bazzocchi and Federica Mantovani guided participants through the themes of Open Science and research data management, with particular attention to FAIR principles and the FAIR-by-Design approach.

From the challenge of securing funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) to the ambition of entering international markets. The third bootcamp of Deep Tech Revolution, the programme developed by Area Science Park to support the growth of startups and spin-offs based on technologies emerging from frontier research, focused on aspects that complement and support their scientific and technological development: the entrepreneurial skills needed to build and scale a deep tech company. Held from 22 to 24 September, the bootcamp marked another milestone in the support programme designed by Area Science Park for the 10 startups selected from more than 80 applications: Soundsafe Care, Yeastime, Novac, Magnetic Future, SatEnlight, LivGemini, Antares Electrolysis, EMC Gems, Rotonium e DNAswitch. The companies operate across a wide range of fields, from life sciences and materials to advanced digital technologies and green energy value chains. Their solutions range from robotics for surgical applications to supercapacitors, from digital twins for medicine to photonic processors for quantum computing. From scientific research to business growth Deep Tech Revolution supports the 10 startups over a 12-month period, providing a total support package worth €2 million, split equally between direct financial support and integrated services. These include preferential access to Area Science Park’s advanced research facilities and laboratories, which startups can use to address specific research and development needs: from high-performance computing (HPC) to genomic and epigenomic analyses, from advanced electron microscopy to materials characterisation, as well as collaborative activities with Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste. Alongside access to scientific infrastructure and technological services, the programme offers a comprehensive capacity-building and business growth support pathway. This second dimension was the focus of the third bootcamp: three days dedicated to developing the skills needed to turn a frontier technology into a company capable of scaling up and competing in international markets. The programme centred on direct engagement with experienced professionals who shared their extensive expertise through real-life case studies, practical methodologies and approaches already tested in the field. This format, combined with one-to-one mentoring sessions, gave the training a particularly practical dimension, enabling startups to explore real-world situations and decisions they may face along their growth journey. The first day focused on the European Innovation Council (EIC), one of the European Commission’s main instruments for supporting disruptive, high-risk technological innovation. Renato Fa from APRE – Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea, explained how to navigate the application process, examining its various stages in detail: from the short proposal to the full proposal, through to preparing for the technical interview and the presentation before the evaluation panel and investors in Brussels. Francesco Matteucci, EIC Ambassador, explored the institutional framework and the rationale behind the European Union’s approach to selecting and supporting deep tech innovation, including proposal evaluation criteria and the most common mistakes. These insights helped participants develop a more informed and strategic understanding of the programme. One of the most engaging moments for the founders came when three startups shared first-hand accounts of how they had navigated this highly competitive process and secured the full EIC funding package, combining grants and equity investment: RareEarth, Circular Materials and Aindo. Aindo, based at Area Science Park’s Padriciano campus, secured €2.1 million in EIC Accelerator funding in 2025. The three startups shared not only their success stories but also the failure stories that often preceded their achievements. By openly discussing unsuccessful attempts and mistakes, they offered valuable insights into what can go wrong when preparing an EIC proposal and, above all, how an initial setback can become an opportunity for improvement. The day concluded with individual discussions and project idea assessments, tailored to the different stages of development of each startup. The second day shifted the focus to commercial and international contracts. Davide Galantini from DG Legal addressed contract management and know-how licensing through practical drafting examples, highlighting the most challenging clauses and the legal and business considerations involved in negotiations. The session also covered contracts for industrial collaborations, research and development (R&D) partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The programme continued with individual sessions dedicated to credit profiles, during which startup founders received guidance from Stefano Cocchieri of Capital Light. The subject was revisited on the final day, with a focus on key financial indicators, financial structure and the role of credit profiles at different stages of a startup’s growth. The programme concluded on Thursday 24 September with a session on accessing international venture capital markets, led by Gianmaria Feleppa of UCAPITAL. The discussion focused in particular on the US market and emerging innovation ecosystems, different approaches to structuring international funding rounds, the relationship between public and private investment, and the opportunities and implications of potentially relocating a company’s registered office abroad. Next Stop: San Francisco and Seattle Following the bootcamp, the programme will move straight into its next phase with an international study visit scheduled from 26 to 30 October in San Francisco and Seattle. The 10 startups will have the opportunity to engage directly with one of the world’s most dynamic and influential innovation ecosystems through visits to research centres and major technology companies, as well as meetings with investors and fellow startup founders. The visit will provide an opportunity to explore business models, expertise and growth tools in a global context. Above all, it will allow the startups to present their technologies and projects to potential partners and other key stakeholders. After gaining experience in laboratories, research facilities and bootcamps, Deep Tech Revolution will therefore take the 10 startups beyond national borders, marking an important step towards strengthening their ability to engage with international markets and begin building valuable connections.

Trieste, September 22, 2026 – The third edition of MDMC – Master in Data Management and Curation, the advanced training programme sponsored by Area Science Park and SISSA – Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati and designed to train the next generation of scientific data management professionals, officially kicked off today, September 22, 2026. The goal of the Master’s program is to provide participants with the conceptual and practical tools necessary to effectively, responsibly, and sustainably manage the entire lifecycle of research data: from its production to its preservation and reuse over time. MDMC is part of the scientific and international ecosystem that characterizes Trieste and stems from the synergy between two institutions of excellence in the fields of research and higher education: Area Science Park, a national research organization and one of Italy’s leading science and technology parks, and SISSA, internationally renowned institute of higher education and research. Together, the two institutions have developed a program designed to provide participants with theoretical and practical skills that can be immediately applied to research and innovation, fields in which data management and artificial intelligence are now deeply intertwined. From the application of the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) to Open Science practices, from the design and implementation of ‘FAIR-by-design’ data workflows to metadata optimisation and the use of advanced tools, standards and technologies, the MDMC advanced training course enables participants to develop skills that are increasingly in demand by universities, research organisations, scientific infrastructures and innovative companies, at a time when the quality, traceability and openness of data have become fundamental and indispensable requirements in the fields of research and innovation. The third edition of the one-year Master’s programme begins with a cohort of 17 participants (14 full-time students and 3 auditors), which fully reflects the programme’s international and interdisciplinary nature. Italy, Argentina, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland: the students’ countries of origin are diverse and varied, a factor that encourages the comparison of different methodologies and research systems, as well as the exchange of experiences amongst participants. Equally diverse are the educational backgrounds of the participants. The cohort brings together a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, from data science to mathematics, from molecular biology and functional genomics to meteorology and climate science, and from psychology and cognitive neuroscience to graphic communication. This diversity reflects the nature of data curation, an interdisciplinary field that is fundamental to every area of science and technology. The kick-off of the third edition of MDMC, coincides with the launch of new official website of MDMC, which will serve as a hub for keeping up to date with the programme’s activities. The website features all the latest updates on the current course, the calendar of public seminars organised as part of the Master’s programme (which are also open to those not enrolled on the programme), and information on future intakes. The news website can be viewed at: http://mdmc-program.it/.

Eighteen years of research, innovation, and scientific collaboration, with an increasingly international outlook. Fondazione Italiana Fegato ETS celebrated its 18th anniversary with an event that went beyond mere celebration—serving primarily as an opportunity to trace its journey and take stock of the new frontiers in liver disease research. Throughout this journey, the FIF has progressively consolidated its role within the scientific community, building partnerships in Italy and worldwide, and developing an approach capable of linking research, innovation, prevention, and treatment. Highlighting the global scale of the Foundation’s network, video greetings were screened from researchers and representatives of scientific institutions across various countries: from the Philippines to Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, and Indonesia. Among them were Loraine Kay Cabral, Secretary of the ASEAN Liver Initiative and former FIF fellow; Graciela Mazzone of Universidad Austral in Buenos Aires; Norberto Chavez Tapia, Director of the Gastroenterology Department at Medica Sur in Mexico and former FIF fellow; Fatima Theresinha Costa Rodrigues Guma of UFRGS – Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Eddy Giri-Rachman Putra from BRIN, the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia; and Renato Solidum, Secretary of the DOST – Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines. “Fondazione Italiana Fegato in the Global Scientific Landscape: From the Bench to Bedside, Bridging Innovation, Prevention, and the Future” was the theme of the institutional panel—a discussion exploring the ongoing transformations in biomedical research and the opportunities unlocked by cross-disciplinary synergy, emerging technologies, and international expertise. Panel participants included Claudio Tiribelli, President of the “Fondazione Italiana Fegato ETS”; Guido Sanguinetti, Full Professor and Group Leader of the Machine Learning and Systems Biology Group at SISSA; Gianluca Tell, Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of Udine; and Umberto Baccarani, Professor of Surgery at the University of Udine and transplant surgeon on the liver and kidney team at the Friuli Centrale University Health Authority (ASUFC). The discussion highlighted one of the critical challenges in contemporary research: translating benchside discoveries into tangible tools to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of liver diseases. In this transition, cross-pollination among scientific research, clinical medicine, technology, and knowledge transfer plays an increasingly vital role. Eighteen years after its inception, FIF reaffirms its vocation: serving as a bridge between knowledge and health, laboratory discovery and clinical care—a rich legacy of expertise and partnerships primed to tackle the future of liver research.

The 18th edition of the Multinational Congress on Microscopy (18MCM), one of the leading international events dedicated to microscopy and its most advanced applications, will be held in Trieste from 12 to 17 September 2027. The city was selected as the host venue following a bid submitted by the Italian Society for Microscopical Sciences (SISM), in collaboration with Area Science Park, and particularly its Electron Microscopy Laboratory, which draws on a well-established wealth of expertise, cutting-edge instrumentation and international partnerships. The congress is expected to bring more than 400 participants to Trieste, including researchers and early-career scientists from across Europe. This is comparable to the attendance recorded at the previous edition, held in Portorož (Slovenia) in September 2025. “Hosting the 18th edition of the Multinational Congress on Microscopy in Trieste is an important recognition of the scientific community in our region and further confirms the city’s role as an international research hub, built on an ecosystem of excellence and strong partnerships,” said Prof. Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park. She added: “For the institution I lead, the congress is further confirmation of the excellence of the path undertaken in recent years, which has involved significant investments in infrastructures and expertise dedicated to materials science and advanced electron microscopy. This commitment has also been recognised at European level, as demonstrated by the recent success of the Microscopy Europe project, which successfully passed the European evaluation thresholds and was included in the ESFRI Roadmap 2026. Microscopy Europe will be the first European distributed infrastructure dedicated to advanced electron microscopy for the characterisation of materials at the atomic scale. Area Science Park contributed to its design and will continue to contribute to the development of its scientific programme over the next ten years.” The Multinational Congress on Microscopy is an internationally significant platform for scientific, technological and educational exchange. “The 18th edition of the Multinational Congress on Microscopy will provide an important opportunity to bring the international microscopy community together in Trieste and to discuss the latest scientific and technological developments in the field,” emphasises Regina Ciancio, Head of the Electron Microscopy Laboratory at Area Science Park and Chair of the Congress. “The programme will span from materials science to life sciences, with a particular focus on the new frontiers of advanced microscopy, instrumentation and emerging methodologies. Significant attention will also be devoted to early-career researchers, training, and dialogue among research organisations, scientific infrastructures and industry.” For further information on 18MCM, visit the 18MCM website.

Area Science Park President Professor Caterina Petrillo received Professor Andrea Lenzi, President of the Italian National Research Council (CNR), at the institution’s headquarters on the Padriciano Campus. Professor Lenzi is visiting Trieste as part of a two-day programme dedicated to gaining first-hand insight into the city’s scientific system and meeting with the leading research and higher education institutions based in the territory. Accompanied by CNR Director General Jacopo Greco, Professor Lenzi took part in a meeting attended by Area Science Park President Caterina Petrillo, Salvatore La Rosa, Director of the Research and Innovation Division, Andrea Zelco, Director of the Science and Technology Park Management and Development Division, Regina Ciancio, Head of the Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Federica Mantovani, Infrastructure Manager, and Matteo Biagetti, researcher at the Data Engineering Laboratory. President Petrillo presented the organisation’s main activities and its new strategic vision, centred on the development of research and technological infrastructures as key drivers of scientific research, innovation, technology transfer and the country’s competitiveness. She also highlighted the ongoing projects and collaborations between Area Science Park and the CNR, particularly with the Institute of Materials. The meeting was part of a broader programme that has seen President Lenzi and Director General Greco meet with several leading figures from Trieste’s scientific community, including Giovanni Comelli, President of Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste. The visit further confirms the strategic importance of Trieste’s scientific system, which is recognised nationally and internationally as an environment capable of integrating frontier research, major research infrastructures, innovation and technology transfer, while fostering collaboration among public research organisations, universities and industry.