Revolutionary Research: 5 Italian Institute of Technology Scientists Receive €750,000 in Funding
The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded €750,000 in funding to 5 researchers from the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) for their innovative projects, which include the development of new photonic chips, smart pills, and microscopes that utilize artificial intelligence. This funding is part of the ERC’s Proof of Concept program, which aims to support researchers in exploring the commercial potential of their discoveries.
In the course of the year, the IIT has obtained funding for 7 projects of this type, with 2 projects being awarded in the first round in July 2025. This achievement has placed the IIT at the top spot in Italy. The winning researchers include Giuseppe Vicidomini and Alessandra Sciutti from the IIT headquarters in Genoa. Vicidomini’s project focuses on creating microscopes equipped with AI algorithms that can automatically adjust to the sample being observed, correcting distortions and identifying rare biological events. This technology has the potential to accelerate the identification of molecules crucial for medical research.
Breaking Down the Projects
Sciutti’s project, on the other hand, involves the development of a non-invasive device that tracks eye movements and pupil contraction to quantify cognitive effort and fluidity during reading in individuals with dyslexia. This innovative approach aims to overcome the limitations of current methods. Meanwhile, Annamaria Petrozza and Mario Caironi from the IIT center in Milan are working on photonic chips in the near infrared and an intelligent pill made from edible materials, respectively. The photonic chips have applications in the healthcare sector, environmental monitoring, and advanced data communication, while the smart pill can collect data from the gastrointestinal tract and monitor digestive processes.
Velia Siciliano from the IIT headquarters in Naples is also a recipient of the funding, with her project focusing on the identification of new immunotherapies for ovarian cancer using more intelligent and effective CAR-T cells. These cells can remain inside tumor cells, offering new hope for cancer treatment. The funding provided by the ERC will enable these researchers to further develop their projects and bring them closer to real-world applications.
A Boost to Italian Research
The IIT’s success in securing funding for these projects is a testament to the institution’s commitment to innovative research and its potential to drive technological advancements. With the support of the ERC, these researchers can now take their projects to the next level, exploring new possibilities and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. For more information on these groundbreaking projects, visit Here