Which sectors are involved in the IMPACTT and SustAA projects?

The IMPACTT project involves the sectors of advanced materials and diagnostics for aging, within the framework of the Silver Economy. The SustAA project is part of the 'Health and Life Science' ecosystem and supports the region's strengths in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food sectors.

Lombardy funds Insubria research

By Laura Bianchi (editorial byline of the newsroom, AI-generated text) · Published on 30 April 2026

University of Insubria campus in Varese with modern research facilities

4.4 million euros for new research infrastructure at Insubria University, with strategic projects in Varese, Como, and Busto Arsizio.

Context

In brief

Lombardy Region funds the University of Insubria with €4.4 million
Two strategic projects for biomedical research and sustainable innovation
Criett to coordinate the IMPACTT and SustAA projects

Key facts

What: Funding for new research infrastructures
When: April 28, 2026
Where: Varese, Como, Busto Arsizio
Who: Lombardy Region, University of Insubria
Amount: €4,400,000

The Lombardy Region has allocated €4.4 million to the University of Insubria for new research infrastructures. The funding, managed by Criett, the Research and Technology Transfer Center, will be used for two strategic projects at the Varese, Como, and Busto Arsizio campuses. This contribution is part of the 2021-2027 Regional ERDF Program, which has earmarked a total of €50 million to enhance research infrastructures in Lombard universities.

The goal, as highlighted by Regional Councillor Alessandro Fermi, is to strengthen the dialogue between universities and businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, transforming research into a driver of development, innovation, and competitiveness for the region. Criett, founded in 2024, will coordinate the university's major equipment through technological platforms.

Strategic Projects

The first project, IMPACTT, will receive nearly €3 million (€2,999,860.77) and aims to enhance the Material Analysis and Characterization Platform in Como and establish a new biomedical research platform in Busto Arsizio. The goal is to advance research and technology transfer in the fields of advanced materials and diagnostics for aging, within the framework of the Silver Economy. The second project, SustAA, will receive approximately €1.4 million (€1,414,454.40) and involves creating an infrastructure in Varese dedicated to sustainable innovation in the field of amino acids and their derivatives. This project is part of the 'Health and Life Science' ecosystem and supports the region's focus on the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food sectors.

Rector Maria Pierro and Vice-Rector Umberto Piarulli expressed great satisfaction with this achievement, emphasizing the quality of the university's project planning and its ability to integrate diverse scientific expertise. Research infrastructures are a decisive factor in attracting high-profile projects, talents, and collaborations, generating tangible benefits for the region and the production system.

Professor Flavia Marinelli, scientific director of Criett, along with Deputy Director Professor Mauro Fasano and Professors Sandro Recchia and Tiziana Rubino, coordinators of the IMPACTT project, and Professor Loredano Pollegioni, proponent of SustAA, are already working to define the next operational phases of the projects and to organize a meeting with the university's scientific community dedicated to the use of the new funds.

Operational details

Implications for the territory

The funding from Regione Lombardia for the University of Insubria represents a significant opportunity for the territory, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises that will benefit from technology transfer and innovation. The creation of new biomedical research platforms and sustainable innovation in the amino acids and their derivatives sector will have a direct impact on the competitiveness of the territory.

IMPACTT: biomedical research and advanced materials

The IMPACTT project, with funding of nearly 3 million euros, aims to enhance the Analysis and Characterization Platform of Matter in Como and to establish a new biomedical research platform in Busto Arsizio. This project seeks to valorize research and technology transfer in the fields of advanced materials and diagnostics for aging, within the context of the Silver Economy. The creation of a 'gate' between the small and medium-sized enterprises of the territory and the best international research centers represents a unique opportunity for local businesses to access advanced technologies and specialized skills.

SustAA: sustainable innovation

The SustAA project, with funding of approximately one million and 400 thousand euros, involves the creation in Varese of an infrastructure dedicated to sustainable innovation in the sector of amino acids and their derivatives. This project fits into the 'Health and Life Science' ecosystem and supports the territory's vocation in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food sectors. Sustainable innovation in these sectors will have a positive impact on the environment and health, contributing to the economic growth of the territory.

Collaboration between universities and businesses

Collaboration between universities and businesses is fundamental to transforming research into a driver of development and innovation. The funding from Regione Lombardia represents an important step in this direction, allowing the University of Insubria to strengthen its research infrastructures and create new opportunities for collaboration with local businesses. This integrated approach will contribute to creating an ecosystem of innovation and competitiveness in the territory.

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Key points

Concrete actions for businesses

Businesses interested in collaborating with the University of Insubria can contact Criett for information on the IMPACTT and SustAA projects. Criett will provide support for accessing new research platforms and for technology transfer. Businesses can benefit from advanced technologies and specialized skills to improve their competitiveness and innovation.

Procedures for accessing research infrastructures

Businesses interested in collaborating with the University of Insubria must follow these procedures: 1. Contact Criett for information on the IMPACTT and SustAA projects. 2. Submit a collaboration request and specify research and technology transfer needs. 3. Participate in a meeting with the university's scientific community to discuss collaboration opportunities. 4. Sign a collaboration agreement with the University of Insubria. 5. Access the new research platforms and benefit from technology transfer.

What projects are funded by Regione Lombardia at the University of Insubria?: The funded projects are IMPACTT and SustAA. IMPACTT aims to enhance the Material Analysis and Characterization Platform in Como and establish a new biomedical research platform in Busto Arsizio. SustAA involves the creation of an infrastructure in Varese dedicated to sustainable innovation in the field of amino acids and their derivatives.
How can businesses collaborate with the University of Insubria?: Businesses interested in collaborating with the University of Insubria can contact Criett for information on the IMPACTT and SustAA projects. Criett will provide support for accessing the new research platforms and for technology transfer.
Which sectors are involved in the IMPACTT and SustAA projects?: The IMPACTT project involves the sectors of advanced materials and diagnostics for aging, within the framework of the Silver Economy. The SustAA project is part of the 'Health and Life Science' ecosystem and supports the region's strengths in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food sectors.