UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MODENA E REGGIO EMILIA

Their core work

UNIMORE is a mid-sized Italian university with strong applied research in AI-driven engineering, embedded systems, and advanced manufacturing — areas where digital technology meets physical production. Their departments contribute deep expertise in human-robot collaboration, power electronics, and simulation-based design for industrial applications. They also maintain a significant biomedical research arm focused on regenerative medicine, cell and gene therapy, and clinical trials. Situated in the Emilia-Romagna industrial heartland, they bridge academic research with the region's manufacturing and automotive sectors.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), UNIMORE focused on simulation, data-driven modelling, cloud computing, and foundational work in stem cell research and science communication. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted decisively toward security, interoperability, and reliability in digital systems, alongside power semiconductors (GaN), electric vehicles, and clinical-stage cell and gene therapy. The transition shows a university moving from general computational modelling toward applied, safety-critical systems and translational medicine.

UNIMORE is converging on trustworthy AI for autonomous and safety-critical applications, combined with maturing clinical research in cell and gene therapies — expect them to seek consortia at the AI-safety and digital-health intersections.

How they like to work

UNIMORE operates predominantly as an active partner (59 of 101 projects) rather than a consortium leader, though they have coordinated 16 projects — a respectable rate for a mid-sized university. With 1,506 unique consortium partners across 55 countries, they function as a high-connectivity hub, comfortable in large European consortia. Their 26 third-party participations suggest they are also frequently called in as a specialist sub-contractor, often contributing specific technical capabilities to larger efforts.

UNIMORE has built an exceptionally broad network of 1,506 unique partners across 55 countries, placing them among the most connected mid-sized Italian universities in H2020. Their collaborations span all of Europe with no narrow geographic bias, though Italian and Western European partners naturally dominate.

What sets them apart

UNIMORE sits in the Emilia-Romagna motor valley — home to Ferrari, Maserati, and a dense network of precision manufacturing SMEs — giving them an unusual ability to test digital and robotic innovations in real industrial settings. Their combination of AI/embedded systems expertise with clinical-grade biomedical research is rare for a university of their size, making them a versatile partner who can contribute across very different project types. For consortium builders, they offer reliable participation (101 projects), broad network access, and a track record of delivering in both engineering and life science domains.

Highlights from their portfolio

• INCLUSIVE
  Coordinated by UNIMORE with EUR 816K funding — their largest coordinated project, addressing adaptive interfaces for inclusive manufacturing workplaces.
• HERCULES
  Coordinated project (EUR 606K) in high-performance real-time embedded architectures, showcasing their digital systems leadership.
• ORTHOUNION
  Multi-year clinical trial for bone regeneration using expanded MSCs — demonstrates their capacity for regulated clinical research, not just lab-stage work.