The DSFTA has intense research activity supported by a variety of funding bodies, with a pre-eminent role played by the Ministry of Research (MUR) for national calls and the European Commission for international ones.
In summary
Funding Sources: National funding is dominated by the MUR, through key programs such as Projects of National Relevance (PRIN) and Research Support Plans. Other important national funders include the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), the Italian Space Agency (ASI), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). At the international level, the European Commission is the main body, with programs like Marie Curie, Interreg, and EIT Food. There is also funding from private bodies, foundations (National Geographic Society), and Regions (Tuscan Region).
Disciplinary Areas: Projects span a wide range of scientific sectors, from Physical Sciences (particle physics, theoretical physics, astrophysics), Earth Sciences (structural geology, seismology) and Life Sciences (biology, ecotoxicology, anthropology). Chemical Sciences and Sustainability (ecodynamics) and Humanistic disciplines, such as Prehistoric Archaeology, are also represented.
Coordination and Collaborations: The DSFTA emerges as a central player, featuring as a coordinator or participating body in numerous projects. The initiatives are characterized by an extensive network of collaborations that include other Italian universities (including Bologna, Ferrara, Turin, Camerino), excellent research institutes (INFN, INAF, INGV, OGS, Max Planck Institute), and non-governmental organizations (Legambiente, WWF Italy).
Time Horizon: The duration of projects varies, ranging from short-term initiatives (1-2 years) to long-term strategic programs, such as the CMS Proton Precision Spectrometer project, which is scheduled for completion in 2033. Most projects have a duration between 2 and 4 years.
