The MAECI has published the Italy-US call for proposals for scientific and technological cooperation 2027–2028 (in Italian) to fund joint projects in the following sectors:

• Advanced and Sustainable Nuclear Technologies: AI, Systems, and Components for Fission and Fusion;
• Advanced Multi-Scale Materials for Extreme Environments, Neuroglia In Vitro Models, and Biocomputing;
• Advanced Biotechnologies for Human Health: Biofabrication, Scalable Biomanufacturing, Bio-Digital/Immune Engineering, Innovative Therapies, and Industrial Translation;
• Quantum Technologies: Quantum Sensing, Quantum Information, Hybrid AI–Quantum Algorithms, and HPC Integration.

The project proposal must be developed jointly by the Italian and USA scientific coordinators. The Italian principal investigator must submit the application exclusively via the MAECI portal by 12:00 on July 18, 2026.

The PI may submit only one project proposal and must also upload the Letter of Endorsement (downloadable from the "downloads" section of this page) duly signed by the legal representative (Rector) to the MAECI portal.

Two funding streams

Regular Project

Small-scale bilateral projects.

• Duration: 24 months;
• up to approximately 4 members per national team;
• funding of up to €100,000 per year;
• focus on high-quality scientific results, mobility and the development of early-career researchers.

Flagship Projects

Strategic projects of greater scale and impact, based on existing and demonstrable collaborations between Italy and the USA.

• Duration: 24 months;
• teams of approximately 5–8 members per side;
• funding of up to €250,000 per year;
• possible involvement of businesses, research infrastructures and public bodies;
• a dedicated governance plan;
• a sustainability strategy extending beyond the end of the project.

In both cases, mandatory co-funding of at least 50% of the total budget by the Italian Principal Investigator’s (PI) institution is required (co-funding may include the cost of academic staff from the university formally employed on the project – person-months).

The US Principal Investigator must demonstrate the availability of adequate financial resources to support the activities of the US part of the project (for example, through an existing grant or other sources of funding).

Sapienza Procedure

In order to obtain the Rector's signature on the Letter of Endorsement in good time, the PI must send the following documentation to the Scientific Cooperation and Networks Unit (bandibilaterali.sapienza@uniroma1.it and CC cooperazionepvs@uniroma1.it) no later than 11:00 a.m. on July 14, 2026:

1. copy of the project, including budget;
2. lettera di manleva from the Department Director, countersigned by the Chief departmental administrative officer - RAD, confirming the Department's willingness to cover co-financing costs and all other expenses arising from any funding (a facsimile is available in the "downloads" section of this page);
3. Letter of endorsement (to be submitted for signature by the Rector).

The call for applications is available on the following page (in Italian)

FAQs (in Italian) 

For any queries regarding the call for applications, please contact: dgce11.bandi1@esteri.it

For information regarding Sapienza's internal procedures, please contact the Scientific Cooperation and Networks Unit of the Research Services Area at bandibilaterali.sapienza@uniroma1.it

Please note: You are advised to read and familiarise yourself with the Guidelines on ‘dual-use’ research