The University of Ferrara (Università degli Studi di Ferrara – UniFE) is a public research university located in Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Founded in 1391, it is among the oldest universities in Europe, with more than six centuries of academic tradition and a longstanding commitment to education, scientific research, innovation and international cooperation.
Established during the Italian Renaissance, the University has been associated with prominent historical figures, including Nicolaus Copernicus, who obtained a degree in Canon Law in Ferrara in 1503, and Paracelsus. Today, UniFE combines its distinguished academic heritage with a contemporary, multidisciplinary approach to addressing scientific, technological and societal challenges.
The University comprises 13 departments, the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, and the Institute for Advanced Studies (IUSS Ferrara 1391). It serves a community of approximately 28,000 students and offers a broad portfolio of undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and professional education programmes.
UniFE conducts research across medical and health sciences, life sciences and biotechnology, engineering, mathematics and computer science, physics, environmental sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, humanities and social sciences. Its research ecosystem includes 38 research centres and four Tecnopolo laboratories, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge transfer.
The University actively participates in competitive national, European and international research programmes and has established experience in collaborative research projects involving academic institutions, healthcare organisations, research centres and industrial partners. Its multidisciplinary structure facilitates cooperation between clinical medicine, biomedical research, technological development, data science and other complementary disciplines.
In health research, the University brings together expertise from Medical Sciences, Translational Medicine, Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, Life Sciences and Biotechnologies, and other relevant departments. This interdisciplinary environment supports collaborative approaches to biomedical investigation, clinical research, personalised medicine, healthcare innovation and the translation of scientific knowledge into clinical practice.
UniFE is committed to scientific excellence, internationalisation, the training of new generations of researchers, and the development of innovative solutions addressing public health and societal needs. Its strong links with the regional research and innovation ecosystem create opportunities for cooperation between universities, healthcare providers, public institutions and industry.
For Horizon Europe, the University of Ferrara offers a multidisciplinary academic environment and an established framework for participation in international research partnerships. It welcomes collaboration in research and innovation projects involving health, biomedical sciences, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, clinical research, disease prevention, personalised medicine and sustainable healthcare.
Combining historical academic excellence with an internationally oriented research environment, UniFE aims to contribute to impactful European collaborations that advance scientific knowledge, foster innovation and improve health and societal outcomes.