Green light for the MERITA project: the new network for talent, coordinated by the Sant'Anna School, and composed of the Scuola Normale and the Scuola Superiori di Ateneo of Bologna, Padua and Rome Sapienza, financed with PNRR resources

The project ‘MERITA, the network for talent’ was approved with an evaluation of 27/30 and received funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Mission 4 - Education and Research, Component 1, Investment 3.4 ‘Advanced University Teaching and Skills’. The MERITA network is composed of five prestigious Italian academic institutions: Sant'Anna School of Pisa (lead partner), Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa, Collegio Superiore of the University of Bologna, Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori of the University of Padua and Scuola Superiore di Studi Avanzati of the Sapienza University of Rome, which join forces in a 24-month project with a total funding of approximately EUR 11 million to strengthen the Italian higher education system by promoting merit,inclusionand the development of advanced skills. 
 

The Strategic Objectives
 

The ‘MERITA, the network for talent’ project is developed around five strategic objectives aimed at promoting social inclusion and the enhancement of talent, through the following main activities. 

- Orientation and social mobility: MERITA aims to increase the number of high merit students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and inner-city areas accessing university studies. Orientation activities will also focus on STEM disciplines, with special attention to female students, promoting greater equity in access to higher education.

- Undergraduate and PhD Seasonal Schools: Residential Seasonal Schools open to female undergraduate and PhD students will be organised during the project. The short courses will be characterised by an interdisciplinary and innovative approach on frontier research topics, with collaborations also with international universities, to offer participants opportunities for academic and personal growth.

- Internationalisation and mobility: MERITA will foster the international mobility of students, students and researchers through collaborations with the Fulbright programme and exchange agreements with foreign universities to ensure a global learning experience. Opportunities for international exchanges and traineeships are envisaged, not only outgoing, but also from abroad to Italy, with dedicated programmes for incoming mobility.

- Digital Ecosystem: the creation of a Digital Ecosystem is planned, a digital platform that will facilitate the sharing of resources among the schools of the MERITA network. Particular attention will be given to the implementation of online courses (MOOCs) on specific topics and transversal skills, accessible to a wide audience of students.

- Infrastructure: the project envisages major investments to improve the teaching and residential infrastructures of the Schools in the network, including the purchase and equipping of technologically advanced classrooms, study spaces and residential facilities to accommodate all those involved in the training activities.

The Rector of the Sant'Anna School, Sabina Nuti, said of the project's success: "The funding of the MERITA project is an extraordinary result that recognises the importance of investing in merit and the training of young talent. MERITA represents a concrete opportunity to support high-potential students, offering them excellent educational paths and possibilities for international growth. We are proud to lead a network that promotes innovation and social mobility, key elements for the future development of our country. This project is an important tool for the entire academic community and a great responsibility to build an increasingly inclusive and quality education system.