Piano Triennale della Ricerca 2026-2028

Italian Research Funding Reform: The Piano Triennale della Ricerca (PTR) and Its Impact Until 2028

The new Piano Triennale della Ricerca (PTR) 2026–2028 marks a significant development in Italian research funding policy, mobilizing over €1.2 billion to support universities, research institutions, and innovation ecosystems across Italy. While this investment remains below the levels of major EU peers such as Germany or France, the PTR introduces a critical element that has long been missing in the Italian system: predictability and multi-year planning.

At its core, the PTR provides a structured framework for allocating research funds over a three-year horizon. This represents a turning point for Italian universities, which have historically operated under fragmented and uncertain funding cycles. By ensuring a stable calendar of calls and defined funding instruments, the PTR enables institutions to plan research strategies, recruit talent, and build long-term collaborations more effectively.

Annual funding and main programmes under the PTR

In practical terms, the PTR allocates over €400 million per year, expected to fund thousands of research projects across Italy. The funding landscape is structured around three main instruments:

• PRIN (Progetti di Ricerca di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale): the core funding scheme for collaborative research projects between Italian universities and public research institutions. Projects are evaluated based on scientific quality, feasibility, and team coherence, and represent the backbone of fundamental research funding in Italy.

• PRIN Hybrid: one of the most innovative elements of the PTR, with €59 million allocated in 2026. This programme promotes multidisciplinary research, particularly at the intersection of humanities and advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, high-performance computing (HPC), and quantum technologies. It aligns closely with European priorities under Horizon Europe.

• Synergy Grants: with €50 million available in 2026, these grants focus on applied research and collaboration between academia and industry, aiming to strengthen knowledge transfer and innovation capacity within the Italian productive system.

Institutional reactions: Support from universities and research bodies

The introduction of the PTR has been broadly welcomed by key stakeholders in the Italian research system. The Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI) expressed strong support, with its president Laura Ramaciotti describing the plan as an “important step for the Italian university and scientific system.” She emphasized that, for the first time, universities can rely on financial continuity and predictable funding cycles, reducing administrative uncertainty and improving strategic planning.

A similarly positive assessment was provided by the president of the National Research Council (CNR), Andrea Lenzi. He highlighted the importance of the PTR in “enhancing research and its personnel,” pointing in particular to two structural innovations: the certainty of call timelines and the creation of a unified national research fund. Lenzi also welcomed the introduction of PRIN Hybrid and Synergy Grants, noting their potential to increase Italy’s international competitiveness and support translational research, including within broader initiatives such as the Mattei Plan for Euro-Mediterranean and African cooperation.

Critical perspectives: Funding stability vs researcher precarity

Despite these positive reactions, more critical voices have emerged. The PhD Association (ADI) acknowledges the benefits of funding rationalization and the stabilization of PRIN within a multi-year framework. However, it highlights a major structural weakness: the lack of sufficient resources for researcher recruitment and career stability.

According to ADI data, more than 35,000 research contracts are expected to expire between 2025 and 2026, while the extraordinary recruitment measures introduced in the national budget would cover less than 10% of actual needs. This creates a systemic imbalance: while project funding is improving, the human capital needed to execute these projects remains precarious.

A step forward, but not a complete solution

The PTR undoubtedly represents a step forward for Italian research funding, particularly in terms of governance, predictability, and strategic alignment with European programmes. However, it does not fully address the longstanding issue of underinvestment in research and researcher careers in Italy.

Ultimately, the real impact of the PTR will depend on how its instruments are implemented in practice. Only after the first funding cycles are completed will it be possible to assess whether the plan can effectively strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of the Italian research system.

Key takeaways

• The PTR mobilizes €1.2 billion for Italian research funding (2026–2028)

• Introduces multi-year planning and predictable funding cycles

• Core instruments: PRIN, PRIN Hybrid, and Synergy Grants

• Strong institutional support from CRUI and CNR

• Persistent challenges in researcher recruitment and career stability

  
  

FAQ: Piano Triennale della Ricerca (PTR)

What is the Piano Triennale della Ricerca (PTR)? The PTR is Italy’s three-year national plan for research funding, defining priorities, budgets, and funding instruments for universities and research institutions.

What funding programmes are included in the PTR? The main programmes are PRIN (fundamental research), PRIN Hybrid (multidisciplinary research), and Synergy Grants (applied research and industry collaboration).

How does the PTR affect Italian universities? It provides greater financial predictability, enabling universities to plan research activities, build consortia, and align with European funding frameworks such as Horizon Europe.

How can AI tools support PTR and PRIN participation? AI platforms can enhance participation in PTR-funded programmes by:

• Identifying optimal research collaborations across Italian universities and institutions

• Aligning proposals with PRIN and PRIN Hybrid evaluation criteria, including impact and interdisciplinarity

• Automating proposal drafting and impact sections based on Horizon Europe standards

• Analyzing past funded projects to improve positioning and competitiveness

• Simulating evaluation outcomes to increase success rates in highly competitive calls

These capabilities are increasingly critical in a funding environment that prioritizes scale, impact, and strategic alignment.