Since 2016 SiS FVG, the Scientific and Innovation System of Friuli Venezia Giulia, represents a networking initiative of research institutions located in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.
Considered as science and technology “hub” including a significant number of internationally known research infrastructures, Friuli Venezia Giulia hosts a large community of international students and researchers together with a noteworthy network of public and private research institutions.
SiS FVG is a strategic tool for the valorisation of regional scientific and innovation system and for assuring that the territory benefits from the research results in terms of socio-economic development. The Initiative was established under the Agreement, signed in 2016 and renewed in 2021, among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and the Regional Authority of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The Agreement aims at creating a scientific and innovation system by fostering the coordination of scientific activities and exchange of services and promoting the network between science and industry.
The final objective is aimed at enhancing the national and international visibility of scientific and innovation system through the technical and scientific divulgation, knowledge transfer and dissemination of innovation.
SiS FVG Operation Plan for 2021-2023 has been approved by the Steering Council.
For more information download the SiS FVG brochure in the "Download" section at the end of this page.
OBJECTIVES
SiS FVG objectives are:
- Create a ‘Scientific Network of Excellence’ that will enhance attractiveness and competitiveness of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region at the national and international level
- Enhance activities that help valorisation of innovation, scientific and technology research
- Promote internationalization support services for research centres
- Technical and scientific divulgation and dissemination of innovation
INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED
SiS FVG is supported by:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI)
- Ministry of University and Research (MUR)
- Regional Authority of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
SiS FVG partners are:
Universities and Conservatories:
University of Trieste, University of Udine, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Music Conservatory of Trieste “Giuseppe Tartini”, Music Conservatory of Udine “Jacopo Tomadini”
National research institutions:
Area Science Park, Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS), the regional sections of the Italian National Research Council (CNR), National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) - Trieste section, National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) - Trieste section
International research institutes:
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), TWAS - The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World, InterAcademy Partnership (IAP)
Science and technology parks:
Friuli Innovazione, Polo Tecnologico of Pordenone
REGIONAL RESEARCH POLICY
At the regional level, the creation of SiS FVG is coherent with policies supporting a systematic and strong involvement of local stakeholders, in particular through:
- The regional policy for the university (LR 2/2011, Finanziamenti al sistema universitario regionale) aimed at supporting the regional university system
- The creation and implementation of the regional Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) enabling an efficient dialogue and networking among the local stakeholders
- The regional cluster policy aimed at enhancing development and competitiveness of specialization areas identified in the regional S3 strategy (LR 3/2015, Rilancimpresa FVG - Riforma delle politiche industriali)
STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES
In order to pursue SiS FVG objectives and to foster the effectiveness of the network, the Regional Authority has envisaged the following activities:
At international level:
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE FVG REGION AND THE JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE (JRC)
In 2017, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region has signed a Memorandum of understanding with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission in order to establish the basis for the future collaboration in areas of mutual interest, in particular in the policy area requiring scientific information and development of the Regional Innovation Ecosystems.
One of the objectives is to foster the scientific collaboration among JRC scientific directorates and the regional research institutions. At the same time, the Memorandum of understanding represents a framework tool to promote the creation of further collaborations between SiS and JRS institutions that will support mutual initiatives for the benefit of the regional territory.
EUROPEAN PROGRAMME "ACTIVE ASSISTED LIVING" - AAL
The AAL Programme, launched jointly by several Member States, supports research and development initiatives for an active and autonomous living. Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) is the only Italian region that formally adhered to the Association that manages the Programme since 2017, together with the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and the Ministry of Health manages the European Programme Active Assisted Living (AAL). This will allow the Region to take an active role in the management of the calls and provide support to the local stakeholders.
The adherence to the Association will contribute to the promotion of the internationalization of regional scientific system and it will facilitate access to opportunities provided by European funds.
AGREEMENT AMONG THE FVG REGION, UNIVERSITIES AND THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - MIT
In 2017 the FVG region, the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), the Universities of Udine and Trieste and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement.
The Agreement aims at establishing a collaboration entitled “FVG-MIT Project” between the FVG region and the Programme MIT-Italy, for the purpose of promoting the collaboration between Italy and MIT. The initiative intends to valorize regional excellences through the bidirectional exchanges and joint collaborations, enlarging and enhancing the existing connections through new activities. At the same time this will increase the visibility necessary for the integration into a global network of excellence.
Infrastructural level:
Regional Law 2/2011 (Funds for the regional university system) envisages a support to research infrastructures shared at university level in order to increase the competitiveness of regional research activities through the structural support actions. High Performance Computing – HPC, Advanced Mechatronics designed for industrial innovation and Molecular Biomedicine are the sectors with the most investment outreach.
Networking level:
The participation in European research networks such as ERRIN (European Regions for Research and Innovation), CORAL and RSCN (Reference Site Collaborative Network) together with the contribution to the drafting of a position paper through the GIURI (Informal Group of the Italian Representative Offices present in Bruxelles) are highly supported in order to sustain the international promotion of research activities and to support regional promotion at the European level.
