The University of Catania (UNICT) is the oldest in Sicily (Italy), with the foundation dating back to 1434. Today there are 18 Departments belonging to the UNICT. With reference to the research, UNICT has a long-term involvement in different research programs both at national and international level. Internationally, the UNICT participates actively in the Framework Programmes of European Union for Research and it has about two hundred scientific partnerships with Italian and European institutions within the most recent European programmes, such as Horizon 2020, Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), Marie Curie Actions, such as Reintegration Grants, International Outgoing Fellowship (IOF) and initial training Networks (ITN).

Moreover, it is a partner of five ENIAC Joint Undertakings Project and one IMI Project (Innovative Medicines Initiative). The UNICT takes part in many other European programmes (such as PRIMA, LIFE Programme, INTERREG IIIA, INTERREG IV-C, Italy-Malta Programme, IINTERREG MED, Programme ENPI Cross-border Cooperation – CBC MED, ENPI Italy – Tunisia) and various international initiatives aimed at the support of research and international mobility. It also participates in many national and regional research programs, such as FIRB (Italian Fund for Basic Research), PON (National Operational Program), POR (Regional Operational Program), PRIN (Research Programs of National Interest) and other sectorial initiatives.