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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.

With the successful launch of the Axiom-4 mission, two cutting-edge experiments from ICGEB New Delhi are now on board the International Space Station (ISS). This marks a major milestone for both ICGEB and Indian space biotechnology research. The first experiment, co-designed by the Metabolic Engineering Group at ICGEB New Delhi under the leadership of Dr. Shashi Kumar and the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi, is a joint collaborative effort under an ISRO-NASA initiative. This project focuses on the behavior of three edible microalgae species (Chlorella sorokiniana-I (CS-I), Parachlorella kessleri-I (PK-I), and Dysmorphococcus globosus-HI (DG-HI)) under microgravity conditions. The objective is to explore their potential in carbon dioxide fixation, oxygen generation, wastewater recycling, and ultimately their viability as a sustainable food and life-support system for astronauts. By simulating long-term spaceflight conditions, this experiment aims to bring us a step closer to self-sustaining life-support solutions for future deep space missions. The second experiment, designed by the Systems Biology for Biofuel Group ICGEB New Delhi led by Dr. Shireesh Srivastava, investigates two strains of Cyanobacteria (Spirulina subsalsa and Synechococcus Sp. PCC11901). This study is a joint initiative of ISRO-ESA (European Space Agency) focusing on the growth of Cyanobacteria using urea as a nitrogen source, thereby examining the possibilities of carbon and nitrogen recycling in closed space environments. Understanding these microbial processes is key in developing efficient bio-regenerative systems crucial for extended human spaceflight and planetary habitation.

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.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on genetic engineering and biotechnological solutions in support of transforming agrifood systems. The signing ceremony was held as a side event at the FAO Global Agrifood Biotechnologies Conference “Biotechnologies for a Sustainable Future: Driving Agrifood Systems Transformation.” The agreement underscores the Organizations’ communal commitment to fostering innovation, addressing pressing global challenges such as food security and environmental sustainability, and supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The collaboration between FAO and ICGEB builds on a shared mission to advance the development and application of genetic engineering and biotechnology in agriculture, with a focus on innovative areas such as bioinoculants, microbiomes, biofertilizers, biopesticides, and biosafety. By combining FAO’s global reach and strategic frameworks with ICGEB’s scientific excellence and advanced research capabilities in the field, the partnership aims to accelerate the uptake of cutting-edge technologies and promote sustainable practices across agrifood systems worldwide. The MoU will emphasize technical collaboration and capacity development in key biotechnological fields. Activities will range from the development of knowledge products and policy briefs to organising joint workshops and technical support missions. Special attention will be given to empowering countries to apply genomics, bioinformatics, and genome editing to improve crop and livestock performance, enhance nutrient use efficiency, and bolster resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. The collaboration will also explore policy and regulatory aspects of biotechnology and contribute to science-policy dialogue through joint participation in global forums and advocacy events. Through this partnership, FAO and ICGEB will jointly support at least two countries in applying biotechnologies to improve agrifood systems. They will also produce policy briefs on high-priority topics and host events to promote biotechnologies relevant to smallholder agriculture. Capacity development activities will be designed to strengthen the technical skills of FAO Member countries and support the responsible use of biotechnology in alignment with the bioeconomy. Dr. Lawrence Banks, ICGEB Director-General states: “Climate change and the inevitable impacts on food security represent one of the major challenges facing humanity, with populations in the Global South being particularly vulnerable. The partnership with FAO therefore, offers a unique opportunity to meet these challenges and ensure the creation of sustainable and resilient nutritional resources for some of the poorest parts of the world. Biotechnology offers amazing capabilities for enhancing global nutrition, and at a pace that far outstrips traditional agricultural practices. Tackling drought, disease, enhancing crop nutrition ,and crop yields are all within reach through the use of modern Agricultural Biotechnology. Combining the expertise of FAO and ICGEB will ensure that such developments can be attained and owned by populations in all parts of the world, thereby ensuring that no one is left behind. “This partnership with ICGEB reflects our shared commitment to advancing science and innovation in support of sustainable agrifood systems. By combining FAO’s global mandate with ICGEB’s cutting-edge research and technical expertise, we can support countries harness the potential of biotechnologies to address critical challenges in food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development. This collaboration supports the implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–31, promoting innovation for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind,” said Beth Crawford, FAO Chief Scientist (ad interim). FAO and ICGEB are committed to deepening collaboration, strengthening technical capacities, and promoting innovation for sustainable development. This partnership exemplifies how science-driven alliances can help overcome complex challenges in agriculture, food security, and environmental health. The partnership stands to leverage biotechnological innovations and shared expertise to address critical challenges in food security, environmental health, and sustainable development.

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.