Thirteen young talent projects funded with 1.8 million by Fondazione Cariplo and Fondazione Cdp

Thirteen young Italian researchers with scientific research projects capable of impacting cancer treatments, earthquake prediction mechanisms, the application of robotics, materials science and sustainable energy production. These are the recipients of the resources, more than EUR 1.8 million, made available by Fondazione Cariplo and Fondazione Cdp within the framework of the call for proposals "Supporting young Italian talent in European Research Council (Erc) competitions", the European Research Council set up by the EU Commission in 2007 to fund scientific and technological research, now in its second year.

Thanks to the funds allocated by the two Foundations, the winners will have access to a grant of up to EUR 150,000 to strengthen their research projects, set up or consolidate their working groups, publish articles and in-depth studies in high-profile journals and set up training courses at research centres, including abroad, with the ultimate goal of submitting a new and more solid application to the Erc competitions.

In response to the second edition of the call for proposals, launched in June 2023, 36 projects were submitted, for a total of more than EUR 5 million in grants requested against the EUR 1,800,000 available: a demonstration of interest that has helped to increase the number of projects receiving funds from 12 to 13, which had already increased compared to the first edition of the call, which had allocated resources of EUR 1.35 million. Following a rigorous selection process conducted by the two Foundations and a commission of 'Erc grantees' - i.e. researchers who have already been awarded by Erc calls for proposals - the 13 winners were selected. They come from research organisations and universities in five Italian regions and work at leading national universities in various fields of knowledge: from the physical sciences and engineering to the life sciences and social sciences.

"Supporting Italian researchers in the consolidation of their projects in the European competitions of prestigious bodies such as the European Research Council means enabling an enormous potential not only for our country, but for the scientific and technological advancement of the entire world. Our young talents have always stood out for the quality and excellence of their proposals. Through these resources, we want to ensure that they have all the tools they need to compete on an equal footing with their European colleagues, on topics of fundamental importance such as cancer research or robotics,' said Fondazione Cdp's chairman, Giovanni Gorno Tempini.

'Supporting those who do research in our country is fundamental. It is even more important when it comes to promoting young people. Once again we have been able to see the high quality of the projects they have presented to us. It makes us proud to see these young people engaged in research in areas where we have a great need for innovation, for people's health, for the protection of our territory and those who live there, and in many other areas, where excellent research can improve everyone's lives. It is important that in doing this work, foundations work together. The partnership with Fondazione Cdp is therefore strategic and valuable because it brings together skills and resources, enhancing the commitment and the results that united we can achieve," commented Giovanni Azzone, chairman of Fondazione Cariplo.