To promote the national research system, the PRIN programme (Research Projects of National Interest) funds public research projects that are too complex or extensive for a single professor or researcher to complete alone. Depending on the project's scope, the research group must comprise at least two research units from different universities, institutions or bodies.

Projects may address topics in any field of research within the three macro-sectors determined by the ERC:

• Life Sciences (LS);
• Physical, Chemical and Engineering Sciences (PE);
• Social Sciences and Humanities (SH).