MIT-SSSA Project | Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna

Maximum Amount and Types of Expenditure Seed Funds - up to a maximum of $25,000 for the entire proposal (including both SSSA and MIT expenses) - can be used for: travel, subsistence, and accommodation expenses for the SSSA research team visiting MIT; participation of the research team in conferences to disseminate research findings; open access publications of research findings. Activity Period Projects are expected to begin in spring 2026. Upon completion of the evaluation process, in agreement with MIT, future winners will be notified of more detailed information regarding the start and end of the activities. For information and support International Relations Unit iro@santannapisa.it

The Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies has signed a framework agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to implement the MISTI (MIT Science and Technology Initiatives) program.

The MISTI program's founding objectives are to promote research collaborations between prestigious international universities and MIT. Within this program, the Global Seed Fund (GSF) promotes early-stage collaborations to stimulate the launch of new research projects.

Objectives

The MISTI Global Seed Funds program aims to initiate and develop early-stage research collaborations between MIT faculty and international researchers. It aims to foster lasting global partnerships and address global challenges through international cooperation. The program supports international mobility by funding travel, meetings, and workshops to facilitate collaboration between MIT research groups and international partners.

MIT-SSSA Project – XII Call for Proposals Proposal Submission Procedure

To submit your application online, please access the dedicated portal: MIT Global Seed Funds Application. The MISTI-MIT website contains a list of FAQs, a video with tips on "How to Successfully Prepare an Application and Find an MIT Partner," and informational guidelines about the program. Proposal Submission Deadline The submission deadline is Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST (Boston Time). Project proposals must be submitted by two PIs (Principal Investigators), one from SSSA and the other from MIT. The PDF file generated after submission must be sent to ssferza@mit.edu and cc'd to iro@santannapisa.it. To identify potential collaborations with MIT research groups, please visit the MIT Research and Global MIT International Research pages.

Proposal Evaluation

The finalists will be selected by the MIT-ITALY SSSA Seed Fund judging panel. Proposals will be selected based on their quality and evaluated through a two-stage process: an initial discipline-based analysis and a second assessment specific to each fund (in this case, the MIT-ITALY SSSA Seed Fund). The entire process is coordinated by the MIT Global Seed Funds Advisory Committee, which ensures its quality and consistency with the program's objectives. Priority will be given to projects that:

-demonstrate a balanced exchange between MIT and SSSA;

-are new or entering a new phase; involve students and young scientists;

-are sustainable beyond the grant period.

Maximum Amount and Types of Expenditure Seed Funds

- up to a maximum of $25,000 for the entire proposal (including both SSSA and MIT expenses) - can be used for: travel, subsistence, and accommodation expenses for the SSSA research team visiting MIT; participation of the research team in conferences to disseminate research findings; open access publications of research findings.

Activity Period Projects are expected to begin in spring 2026.

Upon completion of the evaluation process, in agreement with MIT, future winners will be notified of more detailed information regarding the start and end of the activities.

For information and support International Relations Unit iro@santannapisa.it