FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA

Their core work

IIT is Italy's flagship multidisciplinary research institute, headquartered in Genova, operating at the intersection of robotics, neuroscience, and advanced materials. They design and build robots — from soft exoskeletons and prosthetics to autonomous systems with cognitive capabilities — while simultaneously pushing frontiers in brain science, nanomaterials, and optoelectronics. Their work spans from fundamental discovery (brain imaging, optogenetics, colloidal nanomaterials) to near-market technologies (graphene-based flexible electronics, biomimetic rehabilitation devices). With over 200 H2020 projects and €132M in EC funding, they are one of Europe's most prolific research performers.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2018), IIT concentrated heavily on robotics hardware — soft robotics, exoskeletons, prosthetics — alongside foundational neuroscience (fMRI, neuromorphic engineering) and CO2 conversion chemistry. By the later period (2019–2022), the focus shifted toward optogenetics and electrophysiology (interventional neuroscience rather than just observation), computer vision, flexible electronics, and biomedical applications like drug delivery and T cell exhaustion research. The trajectory shows a move from building physical systems toward integrating biology with technology — brain-machine interfaces, bio-electronic devices, and therapeutic nanomaterials.

IIT is converging its robotics, neuroscience, and nanomaterials strengths toward bio-electronic and neuro-technological applications — expect future work at the interface of brain science, wearable devices, and therapeutic nanotech.

How they like to work

IIT leads more often than it follows: 116 of 205 projects as coordinator (57%), an unusually high ratio for any research organization. They operate as a consortium hub, having worked with 963 distinct partners across 43 countries, indicating they rarely repeat the same consortium — instead assembling purpose-built teams for each challenge. Their heavy use of ERC and MSCA fellowships (67 grants combined) also shows they attract top individual researchers, functioning as a talent magnet as much as a project leader.

IIT has collaborated with 963 unique partners across 43 countries, making it one of the most connected research organizations in H2020. Their network spans virtually all of Europe with strong ties to major research nations, plus partnerships extending well beyond the EU.

What sets them apart

IIT is rare in combining world-class robotics, advanced materials science, and neuroscience under one roof — most institutes specialize in one of these. This allows them to tackle problems that sit between disciplines: a robot that needs brain-inspired control, an electronic device that must interface with living tissue, a nanomaterial that must deliver drugs precisely. For consortium builders, IIT brings not just deep expertise but the ability to bridge disciplines that other partners cannot connect alone.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SoftPro
  Coordinated €1.77M project on open-source prosthetics and rehabilitation technologies — exemplifies IIT's strength in translating robotics research toward real clinical applications.
• NEURO-PATTERNS
  Six-year ERC-funded project (€1.64M) on all-optical control and monitoring of brain neurons — represents the frontier of their optogenetics push.
• HEROIC
  Five-year coordinated project (€1.61M) on high-frequency printed organic-hybrid integrated circuits — bridges their materials science and electronics expertise toward manufacturable devices.