The Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and the EIB Group – which includes the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF) – have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of further strengthening strategic and financial support for the university and research system.
Specifically, the initiative aims to support university investment to improve energy efficiency, foster the emergence of innovative start-ups, promote technology transfer and enhance infrastructure with the creation of new student housing.
The agreement was presented by Minister Anna Maria Bernini, EIB Vice-President and EIF President Gelsomina Vigliotti, and EIB Director General of Operations Jean-Christophe Laloux.
“Today marks the beginning of a structured collaboration under which the MUR and the EIB Group make a joint commitment to research, university education and Higher Education in Art, Music and Dance”, said Minister Bernini.
Key points of the Memorandum of Understanding include the setting up of a joint working group to plan financial and technical assistance activities, support for start-ups interested in accessing the resources of the European Innovation Council (EIC), as well as the possibility of promoting cooperation between the EIB Group and the Institutes of Higher Education in Art, Music and Dance (AFAM) in order to support the Italian cultural and artistic sector. In addition, based on the agreement, the EIB Group will be able to offer the MUR and interested universities technical assistance tools to facilitate access to the EU bank’s financial products.
