MASTER-UP SRL

Their core work

MASTER-UP SRL is a small Italian private company based in Perugia, structurally linked to the University of Perugia's chemistry research environment — their full name explicitly references "Molecular Applications to Science, Technology, E-Learning, Research — University of Perugia." They participate in MSCA Innovative Training Networks as an SME partner, contributing industry-side expertise and likely hosting researcher secondments or delivering e-learning components within doctoral training programs. Their scientific work spans theoretical and computational chemistry, with a more recent focus on astrochemistry — specifically the molecular processes that shaped the early solar system. As a university-affiliated SME, they function as a bridge between academic chemistry research and applied or educational outputs, rather than as a direct product or service company.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their first H2020 project (TCCM, 2015–2018), MASTER-UP participated in broad theoretical and computational chemistry training — no specialized sub-field keywords are recorded, suggesting a generalist supporting role. By their second project (ACO, 2019–2023), the focus had narrowed sharply to astrochemistry and the chemical origins of the early solar system, indicating either deliberate specialization or that the University of Perugia research group they are linked to moved in that direction. With only two projects and a span of four years, the trend line is short, but the direction is clear: from general computational chemistry toward molecular astrophysics.

If the trajectory holds, future collaborations will likely be in astrochemistry, molecular astrophysics, or related MSCA training initiatives — rather than broad computational chemistry.

How they like to work

MASTER-UP has never coordinated an H2020 project; they join as partner or participant, which is characteristic of SMEs in MSCA training networks whose role is to provide industrial or applied-science perspective rather than project leadership. Both of their projects were large multi-partner consortia (the two MSCA ITNs together account for 37 unique partners across 10 countries), so they are comfortable operating inside complex international networks without a leading role. This makes them a low-friction partner to onboard but means they are unlikely to drive project conception or management.

MASTER-UP has built connections with 37 distinct consortium partners across 10 countries through just two projects — an unusually wide network for an organization of this size, reflecting the large-consortium structure typical of MSCA ITNs. No geographic concentration is apparent beyond their Italian base.

What sets them apart

MASTER-UP occupies a niche position as a university-linked Italian SME that acts as the commercial vehicle for research and training activities of the University of Perugia's chemistry group — giving them credibility in academic consortia while formally counting as an industry partner, which is valuable for MSCA eligibility requirements. Their combination of computational chemistry heritage and emerging astrochemistry expertise is rare at the SME level in Italy. For a consortium needing an Italian SME with genuine academic chemistry depth and MSCA experience, they are a ready-made fit.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ACO
  Their only directly funded project (EUR 99,007), a European Joint Doctorate on AstroChemical Origins — one of the most specialized MSCA schemes — covering the molecular chemistry of the early solar system across a large international consortium.
• TCCM
  Their first H2020 engagement, in a flagship MSCA ITN for Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modelling, establishing their credentials in pan-European doctoral training networks.