MIUR - Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Universita' e della Ricerca

The Italian Ministry for Education, University and Research is the key RTD policy actor in Italy at state level. With regard to research, the Ministry has the following responsibilities: supporting and fostering basic research in university and research institutions, programming intervention in public research institutions; coordination regulation and funding of national research institutions; coordination of the research activities promoted by other Ministries; monitoring and supporting the integration between the research system and industries; integration between public research and applied research; promoting and supporting research in the industry system; funding research programmes in the southern regions; promoting initiatives such as the Funds for the diffusion of scientific culture (PUS). The ministry also has key responsibilities for international co-operation. The ministry runs a special programme (FIRST) for basic and industrial research.