The Extended Partnerships, promoted by investment line 1.3, are research programs carried out by networks of universities, Public Research Bodies, and other public and private entities engaged in highly qualified research activities, organized in the form of a public-private consortium and according to a Hub & Spoke structure.

The objective is to finance, with €1.61 billion, basic research projects that strengthen research sectors at the national level and promote the participation of these projects in strategic value chains both at the European and global levels.

The University of Trieste participates in one of the fourteen Extended Partnerships, which run from 2022 to 2026.

NQSTI - National Quantum Science and Technology Institute

NQSTI is a consortium aimed at fostering collaboration among Italian entities engaged in competitive and innovative research in the field of quantum science and technology (QST). It aims to stimulate industrial innovation in this field by providing a forum where new ideas and opportunities are transferred to businesses.

The medium-to-long-term goal (beyond the conclusion of the PNRR) is to establish a national consortium that gathers all institutions active in quantum science and technology, ensuring competitiveness and long-term presence in this important scientific-technological sector in the country.

Project Summary

Promoter: UniCAM - University of Camerino Total Participating Entities: 20 Public Entities:

Number of Universities: 

• 10 Research Bodies: 
• 6 Private Entities:

Research Bodies: 

• 2 Companies: 
• 2 Granted Funding: €115,900,000.00 

Duration: 36 months (December 1, 2022 - November 30, 2025)

The University actively participates in the activities of spokes 1, 3, 5, and 8 as an Affiliate partner, with Prof. Angelo Bassi from the Department of Physics serving as the scientific contact.

Spoke 1 – Foundations and architectures for quantum information processing and communication

Spoke 1 focuses on investigating fundamental concepts through the development of new systems and protocols for the transmission of processing and information using quantum systems. It focuses on communication systems, information security (including optimization methods and algorithms), and the development and application of artificial intelligence techniques. The spoke's goal is to explore in detail phenomena that will consolidate the foundations of quantum technology processes and protocols, identifying new potentials.

Spoke 3 - Atomic, molecular platform for quantum technologies

Spoke 3 focuses on harnessing neutral atoms, molecules, and ions for quantum engineering systems, starting from basic principles and achieving complete control over interactions, system size, type, and ultimately obtaining full control over each individual particle. The goal is to research new techniques and resources for preparing atomic, molecular, and ionic systems by enhancing external fields to optimally encode quantum states; explore new schemes for detecting quantum states at spatial, temporal, and spectroscopic levels; establish reliable, robust, and controllable quantum interfaces between them.

Spoke 5 - Electron-based platform for quantum technologies

Spoke 5 has established a coordinated network of QST manufacturing facilities, a "national quantum fab," which contributes to the project's objectives through the design, manufacturing, and characterization of solid-state systems whose shape, chemical composition, and structure are tailored to accommodate electronic configurations of interest for QST. The Spoke relies on an advanced nanofabrication platform, materials science, and quantum device engineering to produce the physical implementation of QST constituents and, at the same time, pursue their integrability within microelectronic architectures.

Spoke 8 - Technology transfer

Spoke 8 deals with technology transfer and industrial development by supporting cooperation with the private sector through joint research projects and, at the same time, stimulates and financially supports the creation of new startups and spin-offs.

The National Center for High Performance Computing, Simulation, and Data Analysis 
conducts research and promotes national and international innovation using state-of-the-art infrastructure for High Performance Computing (HPC) and the management of large quantities of data (Big Data), capable of integrating available emerging technologies, including those for Quantum Computing.

The Center focuses, on one hand, on maintaining and enhancing Italy's HPC and Big Data infrastructure and, on the other hand, on developing advanced numerical methods and applications, software tools, and workflows to integrate computation, simulation, data collection, and analysis relevant to the research system and the productive and social system, including through cloud-based approaches.

Project Summary

Promoter: National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN)
Total participating entities: 51 (+ 1 partner)

Public Institutions and Universities: 37
Private Companies and Institutes: 14
Partner: 1

Granted funding: €319,938,979.26, with 41% allocated to the South of Italy
Duration: 36 months (September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2025)
UniTS Scientific Referee: Prof. Stefano Borgani – Department of Physics

The University participates as an affiliate in the activities of spokes 2, 3, 7.

Spoke 2 -Fundamental Research & Space Economy

Spoke 2 aims to address the fundamental research need for increasingly greater computational capacity by developing and testing solutions suitable for experiments, particularly by facilitating access to computing resources managed by both the National Center and other sources. Intersections and synergies with the Space Economy sector are foreseen through direct links with data from the national Copernicus Mirror program.
UniTS Referee: Prof. Edoardo Milotti – Department of Physics 

Spoke 3 – Astrophysics & Cosmos Observations

The aim of Spoke 3 is the development of innovative applications and software capable of fully exploiting state-of-the-art HPC technologies and big data storage solutions to achieve excellence in the areas of astronomy, high-energy astrophysics, astroparticle physics, and cosmology. Additionally, Spoke 3 will facilitate the creation of a community of researchers and experts in the development of new computer solutions, capable of implementing innovative computational solutions to support and strengthen scientific communities in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, and astroparticle physics.
UniTS Referee: Prof. Stefano Borgani – Department of Physics

Spoke 7 – Materials & Molecular Sciences

Spoke 7 aims to strengthen Italy's leadership in the development, implementation, and distribution of high-performance scientific software for multi-scale simulation of materials and complex molecular systems. It also aims to optimize and expand the application spectrum of these software tools to address the scientific, technological, and social challenges facing our country. UniTS Referee: Prof. Mauro Stener – Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences 

The project in summary

Promoter: University of Padua Total participating entities: 49

• Universities: 26
• Research Institutions: 23
• Granted funding: €320,036,606.03, with 42% allocated to Southern Italy 

Duration: 36 months (November 1, 2022 - February 28, 2026) Scientific reference for UniTS: Prof. Giannino Del Sal - Department of Life Sciences 

The University participates as an affiliate in the activities of spokes 2 and 4.

Spoke 2 – Cancer

Spoke 2 focuses on implementing RNA therapies and biomarkers to address cancer stem cell dependencies by specifying transcriptional and epigenetic changes that drive and sustain the tumor or metastatic cellular states. It also leverages the safety of RNA therapies to achieve a synthetic combination of approaches, co-targeting, and at the same time, interdependent hallmarks of cancer leading to the collapse of the tumor/metastatic ecosystem. Lastly, the research program aims to fully exploit RNA to extend the applicability of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), transforming immunologically cold tumors into hot tumors, thereby vastly expanding the anticancer potential of the immune system. Scientific reference for UniTS: Prof. Giannino Del Sal - Department of Life Sciences

Spoke 4 – Metabolic & Cardio-Vascular

Spoke 4 focuses on metabolic, cardiovascular, and skeletal muscle disorders in adult and elderly populations, utilizing RNA technologies that allow for the manipulation of virtually any cellular process, identifying the specific molecular mechanisms of disorders and diseases. The Spoke aims to establish itself as a national and international reference for advanced therapies in the cardio-metabolic field, strengthen relationships with industries, and maintain a broad portfolio of research and development. Scientific reference for UniTS: Prof. Mauro Giacca - Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical, and Health Sciences

The ecosystems, promoted by investment line 1.5, aim to facilitate technology transfer and accelerate the digital transformation of companies' production processes with a view to economic, environmental, and social sustainability impact on the territory.

Twelve innovation ecosystems have been created at the territorial, regional, or supraregional level, including five in the Mezzogiorno.

The resources finance activities of applied research, training to reduce the misalignment between the skills required by companies and those offered by universities, the valorization of research results with their transfer to companies, support for the creation and development of start-ups and spin-offs from research, and promote incubation activities and venture capital funds.

The University of Trieste participates in one of the twelve innovation ecosystems, with a duration from 2022 to 2026.

iNEST - Interconnected Nord-Est Innovation Ecosystem 

The iNest Innovation Ecosystem Consortium is based on the extensive use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and digitalization, aiming at the development of innovative technologies for people's well-being, the spread of culture, and economic and entrepreneurial growth.

It aims to extend the benefits of digital technologies to the main areas of specialization in the North-East, including industrial-manufacturing sectors, agriculture, maritime, mountain, construction, tourism, culture, health, and food.

The research program is implemented through a "Hub & Spoke" governance structure, where the Hub (consisting of 24 participants) is the Consortium, a newly established entity that coordinates the entire project, receives funds from the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), distributes them, and reports on them but does not carry out research activities. The Spokes (9) and their affiliates are the entities responsible for carrying out the research activities.

Project Summary:

Lead Institution: University of Padua 

• Total Participating Entities: 24
• Universities: 9
• Public Entities and Public Research Institutions: 3
• Private Entities: 12 
• Granted Funding: €109,866,032 
• Duration: 36 months (September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2025) Scientific Referee UniTS: Prof. Pierluigi Barbieri - Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

The University leads Spoke No. 8 and participates as an affiliate in Spokes 2, 4, and 9.

Spoke 8 – Maritime, Marine, and Inland Water Technologies: Towards the Digital Twin of the Upper Adriatic

Spoke 8, led by the University of Trieste, aims to develop research and technology transfer activities in the field of maritime, marine, and inland water technologies, as well as sustainable and resilient water-land mobility planning.

The project is structured around 5 research topics: (RT1) biology of marine ecosystems; (RT2) innovation in the management of physical and chemical risks and their impact on the hydrosphere; (RT3) innovation in sustainable coastal transport; (RT4) integrated maritime and spatial planning land-sea; (RT5) development of a Digital Twin of the Upper Adriatic. The integration of data, modeling analysis, AI algorithms, and visualization systems aims to facilitate access to information, providing a useful tool for decision support. UniTS Contact: Prof. Pierluigi Barbieri - Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences  

Spoke 2 – Health, Food and Lifestyle

The mission of Spoke 2 is to develop technological and social innovation to promote health and human well-being and support the digital and green transition of healthcare systems in the Triveneto region.

Spoke 2 pursues this goal through the use of enabling technologies and sciences ranging from Artificial Intelligence to Digital Health, Biotechnology, Omics Technologies, Electronics, and Robotics, within social, historical, economic, and psychological contexts.

These technologies will be integrated to contribute to the digital transformation of the socio-economic system of the Triveneto region, promoting innovative treatments and therapies for a healthy lifestyle while monitoring their impact on citizens and their quality of life. UniTS Contact: Prof. Pierluigi Barbieri - Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences 

Spoke 4 – City, Architecture and Sustainable Design

Spoke 4 is dedicated to sustainable design strategies, understood as the care and maintenance of the built environment in all its scales and facets: from the territory to the arts, from the city to architecture, fashion, and industrial design.

The Spoke aims to identify and experiment with, through an integrated approach, solutions, even revolutionary ones, for a rapid and profound improvement of the functional, performance, and environmental transformation activities of architecture, cities, and territories, promoting the most advanced practices in design, restructuring, transformation of the built environment, involving innovators, traditional sectors, and initiating a "movement for change" for the entire sector.

Contact person for UNITS: Prof. Elena Marchigiani - Department of Engineering and Architecture 

Spoke 9 – Models, methods, computing technologies for digital twins

The objective of Spoke 9 is to develop research activities to facilitate technology transfer related to interdisciplinary areas of mathematical and numerical models, scientific computing, and digital twins. Contact person for UNITS: prof. Luca Bortolussi - Mathematics Informatics and Geoscience Department

MEET - Monitoring Earth’s Evolution and Tectonics 

Il progetto in sintesi

Proponente: Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Soggetti partecipanti totali: 9
Università: 5
Enti pubblici: 3
Enti di ricerca: 1
Finanziamento concesso: 43.000.000 euro
Referente scientifico UniTS: prof. Giovanni Costa – Dipartimento di Matematica Informatica e Geoscienze

Il Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze si occuperà del “servizio web per la diffusione dei parametri delle sorgenti sismiche”, con l’obiettivo principale di sviluppare, in collaborazione con l'unità operativa dell'Università di Genova, una piattaforma informatica, e relativi servizi web, per la stima rapida di parametri statici/dinamici e mappe di shake da dati di forte movimento raccolti su scala nazionale, e la loro diffusione nel mondo, da realizzarsi in una prospettiva di "open data".

GeoScienceIR

Il progetto GeoScienzeIR realizzerà un'infrastruttura di ricerca per la Rete Italiana dei Servizi Geologici per mettere a disposizione dei servizi geologici regionali e non solo, i dati, i servizi e gli strumenti necessari per lo svolgimento delle funzioni di monitoraggio e controllo del territorio nei diversi ambiti delle scienze della Terra. 

Attraverso un’infrastruttura tecnologica cloud, GeoSciences consentirà l’accesso a dati, servizi e applicazioni sviluppate nell’ambito di tali temi resi disponibili dai partner di progetto, da poter utilizzare per svolgere con maggior efficacia il proprio mandato istituzionale. 
Il progetto prevede una costante interlocuzione tra i partner e i beneficiari, ovvero i Servizi Geologici Regionali, al fine di assicurare che tutti i prodotti accessibili attraverso l’infrastruttura rispondano a una precisa esigenza degli utilizzatori finali. 

Il progetto iniziato a ottobre 2022 avrà una durata di 30 mesi, al termine del quale l’infrastruttura sarà pienamente operativa per almeno 10 anni.

Il progetto in sintesi

Proponente: Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale - ISPRA 
Soggetti partecipanti totali: 16
Università: 13
Enti pubblici: 2
Enti di ricerca: 1
Finanziamento concesso: 16.671.851euro
Referente scientifico UniTS:  prof. Luca Zini  – Dipartimento di Matematica Informatica e Geoscienze

L’Università degli Studi di Trieste si occupa di studiare la genesi dei sinkhole di origine naturale, dell’implementazione di un sistema di monitoraggio su base inventariale dell’integrità e della funzionalità degli ecosistemi attraverso l’analisi di cambiamenti come l’impermeabilizzazione e l’abbandono agricolo e dell’analisi della funzionalità degli ecosistemi attraverso tecniche IOT.