The Italian Research System
The institutional framework of the research public actors is represented by Universities (65), public research institutions (about 70), state and local laboratories and other organisations.
The Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) has a supervisory role on the greater number of research organisations institutionally operating in S&T research (CNR, INFN, INFM, IEN, INOA, INGV, INAF etc.); other bodies fall under the authority of other Ministries which support specific research activities (Council Presidency, Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry, Industry, Health, Labour, Environment, Infrastructures and Transports).
The ordinary funding to public research institutions is annually earmarked by the government on the basis of their respective pluriannual plans and provided by the relevant supervisory Ministries.
http://www.cordis.lu/italy/rd_research_plan.htm#1
Link to the S&T Office section S&T in Italy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate General for the Promotion and Cultural Cooperation
General information: international bilateral cooperation in the fields of research and technological innovation strengthens activities supporting the Italian scientific and technological system abroad. The Directorate General for Promotion and Cultural Cooperation promotes and supports cooperation between Italian scientific research and technological structures, be they private or public, and similar structures in other countries by means of negotiations and the signature of Executive Programs.
Finances allocated for 2008 (Law 401/90).
The European Union
The European Union Delegation in China. Science, Technology, Environment and Energy. Research, Environment and Energy are three intertwined areas which will play an essential role in the shaping of future EU-China relations. China and Europe have a long-standing and fruitful cooperation the area of Science & Technology, through the signing of a cooperation agreement in 1998. More recently, China’s government has announced its will to transform China into an innovation-based economy and important financial resources have already been allocated to this effort along the last year’s, positioning China’s national expenditure in R&D second in the world. Meanwhile, the EU has become the first world scientific power in terms of scientific publications. Therefore, EU-China Science and Technology cooperation is today a matter of common interest.
Environment is currently becoming one of the forefront dialogues in EU-China relationships, thanks to the new importance the Chinese authorities are giving to environmental aspects in China’s future development model. Due to the political lead the Commission has taken in this area on the international arena, Beijing clearly sees in the European Union a strong and reliable partner for achieving a sustainable development.
Finally, the area of Energy Cooperation has been up in the political agenda of both the EU and China for some years now. China faces phenomenal challenges to cope with a booming energy demand and coal, one of the most polluting energy sources, plays a major role in its strategy. Beijing is also conscious of the importance to develop a more environment-friendly energy mix and regards the European Union as a privileged partner, one which is sharing the same concerns and facing similar problems.
European Union: Science and Technology Fellowship Program in China (deadline for applications: September 5th 2008).
The European Commission offers financial assistance of around 50.500 Euros to researchers who wish to begin or join a project underway at a Chinese institution. The scope of the Science & Technology Fellowship (STF-China) is to:
- facilitate participation of European researchers in Chinese R&S programs;
- develop networks and research partnerships between European and Chinese research institutions, as well as between researchers.
The STF-China program is open to research proposals in ALL fields. A total of 30 researchers, preferably under the age of 32, will be selected for activities lasting 24 months.
The STF-China program consists of:
- a two-day briefing in Brussels before departure; a six months course in the Chinese language and culture in Beijing (organized by the EU Delegation in China);
- a period of 18 months research at the Chinese institution nominated in the application.
Candidates must hold a European passport and have at least two years experience. They must come from a European institution, either private or public, which operates in the field of scientific research or R&S which has already demonstrated interest in establishing scientific cooperation relations with China.
The host Chinese institution can be any National Research University or Laboratory. The candidate must indicate on the STF China Program application the name of the Chinese host institution and attach a letter of invitation from this institution.
Further information is available on the site www.euchinastf.eu. The program will begin in March 2009 and the deadline for applications is 5th September 2008.
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
On May 16th 2007, the OECD Council adopted the Resolution on Enlargement and Enhanced Engagement inviting the Secretary General of the OECD to strengthen cooperation with Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa in view of possible future adhesion. OECD has been publishing numerous documents on China, many covering the scientific and technological sectors, since 1993 and with increasing frequency since 1999.