Research

The University of Catania is the recipient of research funding at international and national level and it has a long-term involvement in varied research programs, both as a coordinator and/or a partner. It also encourages scientific research activities carried out in all departments, by providing research grants.
Moreover, a certain amount of its resources are reserved to fund research projects.
As far as the internal management of research is concerned, great importance is given to an objective assessment of the scientific research works through the “Catalogo di Ateneo”, a list of scientific publications which is yearly updated.
University’s internal funding is, in fact, assigned according to the scientific value of the publications.

With reference to the International research, the University participates actively in the Framework Programmes of European Union for Research and it has about two hundred scientific partnerships with Italian and European institutions within the most recent European programmes.
Within the Sixth Framework Programme, Catania University has taken part in 24 research projects in all thematic programmes, as well as thematic research networks and accompanying measures. Moreover, it has also participated as “Host Institution”, in strategic planning for the implementation of three Marie Curie Research Training Networks.
As far as the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) is concerned, the University of Catania has already signed 37 Grant Agreements related to Collaborative Projects in different scientific fields. It is also participating to several Marie Curie Actions, such as Reintegration Grants, International Outgoing Fellowship (IOF) and initial training Networks (ITN). Moreover, it is a partner of five ENIAC Joint Undertakings Project and one IMI Project (Innovative Medicines Initiative).
The University of Catania takes part in many other European programmes (such as LIFE Programme, INTERREG III-A, INTERREG IV-C, Italy-Malta Programme, IINTERREG MED, Programme ENPI Cross-border Cooperation – CBC MED, ENPI Italy – Tunisia) and various international initiatives aimed at the support of research and international mobility.

Moreover, the University of Catania also participates in many national and regional research programs, such as FIRB (Italian Fund for Basic Research), PON (National Operational Program), POR (Regional Operational Program), PRIN (Research Programs of National Interest) and other sectorial initiatives.
The University of Catania is strongly committed to implement European Union policies aimed at the development of scientific careers and international mobility of researchers: in 2008 it was one of the three Italian Universities which organised the Researchers’ Night, thanks to the EU contribution within the Framework Programme 7. The event was successfully repeted in 2011.
Finally, the University of Catania is part of the Italian Mobility Centers, that participates in the EURAXESS project, a network created by the European Commission to support international mobility of researchers.