SCUOLA INTERNAZIONALE SUPERIORE DI STUDI AVANZATI DI TRIESTE

Their core work

SISSA is an advanced research university in Trieste, Italy, specializing in theoretical and mathematical physics, neuroscience, and computational materials science. They develop mathematical models and simulations for quantum systems, gravitational theories, and brain function — from understanding how neurons encode touch to predicting material properties at the exascale. SISSA also contributes significantly to the Graphene Flagship and the Human Brain Project, two of the EU's largest research initiatives. Their work bridges fundamental theory with applied domains like neuromorphic engineering, prosthetics, and advanced computing.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), SISSA focused broadly on graphene, nanomedicine, sensor technologies, and cosmology — participating in flagship programs while building neuroscience capacity through projects like BiT and STATLEARN. From 2019 onward, the focus sharpened toward fundamental quantum physics (many-body systems, entanglement, modified gravity) and advanced computational materials science at extreme scales. The neuroscience work also matured, shifting from brain imaging toward applied neuromorphic engineering and tactile sensing for robotics and prosthetics.

SISSA is deepening its theoretical physics core while increasingly connecting brain science to robotics and prosthetics applications — expect future work at the intersection of quantum theory, neuromorphic computing, and AI-driven materials design.

How they like to work

SISSA balances leadership and participation almost equally — coordinating 19 of 48 projects, which is unusually high for a university of its size. They operate comfortably in both large flagship consortia (Graphene Flagship, Human Brain Project with dozens of partners) and focused ERC-funded teams where they are the sole PI. With 555 unique partners across 38 countries, they are a genuine European hub, but their coordination rate suggests they prefer to set the scientific agenda rather than simply contribute a work package.

SISSA has collaborated with 555 unique partners across 38 countries, giving them one of the broader networks among Italian research institutions. Their participation in two EU Flagships (Graphene, Human Brain Project) connects them to the top-tier labs across Europe in both materials science and neuroscience.

What sets them apart

SISSA occupies a rare niche as a small, elite graduate school that punches far above its weight in EU funding — averaging nearly EUR 500K per project across 48 projects. Their distinctive strength is the ability to connect deep mathematical theory (quantum mechanics, integrable systems, gauge theories) to real-world applications in brain science, robotics, and materials engineering. For consortium builders, SISSA brings theoretical firepower that most applied-focused partners lack, combined with a proven track record of leading complex international projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GRAMS
  Largest single grant (EUR 1.99M) as coordinator, tackling modified gravitational theories from astrophysical to microscopic scales — ambitious in scope.
• AROMA-CFD
  Coordinated a 6-year ERC project on reduced order methods for computational fluid dynamics — demonstrates SISSA's strength in turning abstract mathematics into computational tools.
• NeuTouch
  Bridges neuroscience and robotics by decoding how the brain processes touch, with direct applications in prosthetics and tactile robotics — signals SISSA's applied turn.