The Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (National Research Council -CNR) is the largest public research body in Italy. Founded in 1923, it carries out research projects in all scientific sectors, promotes innovation and competitiveness in the industrial system, the internationalisation of the research sector, and provides technical and scientific support for society’s emerging needs.
In Trieste, the CNR is divided into four research institutes: the Istituto Officina dei Materiali (Institute of Materials – IOM), the Istituto di Struttura della Materia (Institute of Structure of Matter – ISM), the Istituto di Cristallografia (Institute of Crystallography – IC) and the Istituto di Scienze Marine (Institute of Marine Sciences – ISMAR). The latter is the one with the deepest roots in the scientific tradition of the city, originating from the “Nautical School” founded in 1754. In more recent times, the establishment of the Trieste Research Area and the development of the Elettra National Synchrotron Light Laboratory led to the establishment of the local branches of the ICM and ISM institutes, and the headquarters of the IOM. In the second half of 2018, the inauguration of the new CNR headquarters on the Basovizza campus of the Science Park Area will unite all the scientific structures of the CNR operating in Trieste.