The 15th meeting of the USA–Italy Joint Commission (JCM) on scientific and technological cooperation was held in Washington DC, United States, on April 1 and 2. The meeting was co-chaired by the Senior Bureau Official for European and Eurasian Affairs of the Department of State, Brendan Hanrahan, together with the Italian Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi.
“The objective is to consolidate global leadership in frontier technologies and in the most advanced sectors of innovation”, stated Undersecretary Maria Tripodi. “In a context of growing global competition, collaboration among Western countries is not only appropriate, but essential”, Tripodi added.
During the JCM, the two delegations, among whom, for Italy, were also Davide Calonico, representing INRiM National Institute of Metrology, and Oscar Adriani, representing INFN National Institute of Nuclear Physics, in addition to representatives of other research bodies and universities, committed in particular to deepening cooperation in quantum sciences, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence, fission and fusion energy, biotechnology and advanced materials. The parties agreed to promote joint research, exchanges of personnel engaged in research activities, shared infrastructures, public-private partnerships and research security.
“Science is, by its nature, collaborative and open: values that the scientific community continues to promote even in a complex and sometimes contradictory global context”, said Davide Calonico, Scientific Director of INRiM. “Cooperation between Italy and the United States is rooted in a long tradition and, for INRiM, it is both an honour and a responsibility to contribute to the Working Group for the development of frontier areas such as quantum technologies, energy and biotechnology. The working group stands out for its authority and cohesion, and I am confident it will be able to generate new opportunities, enhancing already well-established and highly productive collaborations. Compared with the past, there is also increasing attention to technology transfer and to the social impact of scientific innovations and their integrity”.
“Collaboration with the United States in the field of emerging technologies is particularly important for the Italian research system, especially at this particular moment in history”, underlined Oscar Adriani, member of the Executive Board of INFN. “The involvement of INFN in the Working Group dedicated to quantum technologies, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing is a tangible sign of INFN’s excellence in these scientific and technological fields, which are strategic for the country’s future. Strengthening collaboration between Italy and the United States will enable significant progress for both countries, thanks to the great expertise and the very high-level infrastructures available to their researchers”.
To support these objectives, Italy announced significant funding for strategic joint research projects for the 2027–2028 period in the areas identified as priorities, opening up opportunities for US research organisations to participate in high-value collaborations with their Italian counterparts. During the meeting, Undersecretary Tripodi also announced that Italy will significantly increase – more than double – the resources allocated to funding new joint research projects. The measure aims to promote technology transfer, talent mobility and the sharing of research infrastructures. Tripodi also highlighted the contribution of more than 15,000 Italian researchers active in the United States as standard-bearers of Italian excellence worldwide.
Italy and the United States therefore signed a Joint Declaration aimed at further strengthening strategic collaboration in high-innovation sectors, a central pillar of the bilateral partnership. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to close scientific and technological cooperation capable of promoting innovation in the United States and Italy, supporting employment and mutual economic growth, and generating tangible benefits for the citizens of both countries.
