Boom in research projects funding: EUR 33 million in 2023

The year 2023 was the best ever for Ca' Foscari University of Venice in the field of research projects. In that year our university received an overall 33 million euros via European, national and regional funding - an unprecedented amount.

"We should be proud of this outcome," says Rector Tiziana Lippiello. "It rewards our University's investment in interdisciplinary research-supporting services and allocation of resources. Many of these projects are the result of the Ca’ Foscari Research Hub for Global Challenges initiative, which was created to promote an interdisciplinary approach to research and find competitive solutions to current economic, social and cultural challenges. Several projects also involve partners from the EUTOPIA alliance, which offers valuable research opportunities, too".

As far as national research projects are concerned, the total amount of funding (EUR 15.8 million) is a record. The largest share comes from PRIN-Research Projects of National Interest (over 10 million), but funding from other ministries, European Social Fund programmes and private foundations was also significant.

2023 was also the best year for European projects, with 35 Ca’ Foscari projects receiving a total of over EUR 17 million in EU funding. 11 of these projects were collaborative, while the individual funded proposals included 18 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships and 6 European Research Council (ERC) grants.

Furthermore, 11 ERC Visiting Fellowship Programme mobility grants were awarded to Ca' Foscari researchers through the University's research support fund. Ca' Foscari was the first Italian university to join this European initiative, which allows ERC candidates and applicants working at Ca' Foscari to spend mobility periods with active ERC projects in Italy and abroad, strengthening their skills and fine-tuning their research goals.

The quantity of funded research projects brought an increase in the Ca’ Foscari community – the number of both researchers and administrative staff grew. More than 50 people are currently involved in the design and management of projects within the Research Offices of both Departments and Centres.