The University is a member of a number of international networks.

UniAdrion is a non-profit, transnational volunteer association made up of universities and research centres. It was established in 2000 at the Ravenna Conference with the aim of creating a permanent connection between universities and research and development centres of excellence in the Adriatic and Ionian basin, thus strengthening inter-university cooperation and overall strategy in the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region. Collaboration between institutions is multidisciplinary in nature and covers areas such as: protection, cataloguing and promotion of cultural heritage; environment and sustainable development; cultural tourism; economic development; communication; development of ports and trade relations. The University's representative is Prof. Roberto Louvin.

For over 20 years, the University of Trieste has been a member of the European University Association (EUA), a European association that has evolved from the merging Confederation of European Union Rectors’ Conference (CRE) and the Association of European Universities (AEU). The main activities of the EUA involve coordinating European university policies and promoting meetings between universities throughout Europe. The University's representative is Prof. Alberto Pallavicini.

The AARC was established to promote dialogue between higher education institutions in the Alps Adriatic region about education and research. The AARC is committed to supporting collaboration between teachers and students in various academic fields. The network collaborates with relevant EU institutions in research and various higher education degrees, including lifelong learning. The University's representative is Prof. Valter Sergo.

In 2018, the University joined the Euro-Mediterranean University Network (EMUNI). Since its foundation in 2008, the Euro-Mediterranean University, one of the EU’s priority projects in the Mediterranean, has evolved into an international institution that gathers knowledge and expertise from Euro-Mediterranean countries, making a significant contribution to the creation of a unified and integrated Euro-Mediterranean area for higher education and research. It largely operates from its headquarters in Piran, Slovenia. EMUNI's fundamental mission is to contribute to strengthening intercultural dialogue and the primary objectives of the Barcelona Process through its activities. The University's representative is Prof. Alberto Pallavicini.rcelona Process. The University's representative is Professor Alberto Pallavicini.

The Danube Rectors' Conference (DRC) is a robust network of nearly 70 universities in the Danube region, stretching from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. Our goal is to improve higher education through both teaching and research and to advance our member universities by establishing sustainable connections. The University's representative is Prof. Valter Sergo.

In 2017, the University of Trieste became a member of the Scholars at Risk (SAR) network. SAR is an international network of institutions and individuals whose mission is to protect scholars and promote academic freedom. By organizing temporary academic positions at member universities and colleges, SAR provides security for scholars at risk, aiming to safeguard their ideas and allow them to continue their work until they can return to their home countries. SAR also provides advocacy and assistance for scholars and guests who are imprisoned or silenced in their home countries, implementing new tools and strategies to promote academic freedom and enhance respect for university values globally. The University's representatives are Prof. Roberta Altin and Carla Savastano.

Since October 1988, the University has been a member of the network of European universities SGroup and was one of the co-founding universities within this European network. The University of Trieste is highly active within the network, particularly through staff participation in annual meetings, conferences, and networks. The University's representative is Prof. Emanuele Brambilla.n>