Eight research projects will be funded by the University of the Republic of San Marino for a total of €120.000, provided by the University and assigned by a "maxi commission" comprising, in addition to nine internal figures, five external members, including three Secretaries of State, along with the presidents of the National Association of San Marino Industries (ANIS) and the Bank of San Marino.
This innovation, unprecedented on San Marino, stems from the desire to intervene effectively and directly to nurture and stimulate research in San Marino, ensuring initiatives and impact. Another factor contributing to this is the University's inability to access European Union funding, as well as internal funds similar to those allocated by the Italian ministerial and regional authorities to academic institutions on the peninsula. With this in mind, as noted in the project call, the initiative was implemented "pending the availability of adequate public or private funding to consolidate, incentivize, and increase the development of the University's main research areas."
In this regard, with the expectation of receiving positive feedback and expressions of interest from local public and private entities interested in innovation and growth in the coming weeks, the University of San Marino has provided for the possibility of receiving new funding and thus increasing the number of calls for proposals and funded projects. The selection committee will include a representative from each institution willing to contribute financially. In other words, public and private entities will be able to finance the University's activities, even when driven by their own specific needs.
The selected projects, submitted by academics from the University of San Marino, will focus on the fields of history, law, pedagogy, social sciences, communication, and design, as well as management and civil engineering. The studies will complement the consolidation of research in the medical field conducted by San Marino professor Francesco Tamagnini for several years, as part of a collaboration involving the Institute for Social Security (ISS) and English academic institutions, focusing on Alzheimer's disease.
Proposals may be submitted from July 30th to November 15th. Selected projects will last one year. Among the aspects evaluated are: originality, clarity and relevance of objectives, innovation and development of research activities consistent with the University's current research interests, and impact on society and the San Marino region. Precisely with regard to the impact of the studies on San Marino, the presence of institutional and private sector representatives on the selection committee, chaired by the Secretary of State for Education and Culture, is crucial.
"Following the many encouraging results achieved over the past few years, our University is launching another initiative, undertaken for the first time in its history, and investing significant resources in research projects," stated Rector Corrado Petrocelli. "Research," he continued, "is the lifeblood of a university institution, both because without it, good teaching cannot be produced, and because its activities generate new results that benefit the local community. A country's innovation and development depend on research, we are convinced of this, and therefore we hope that our efforts will be recognized and even rewarded, perhaps with further support."
