The University of Florence promotes a cutting-edge research ecosystem built on scientific excellence and the international reach of its researchers.In line with the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, the University continuously invests in resources and infrastructure to create an attractive and competitive environment capable of supporting talent at every stage of their career. This vision translates into concrete actions aimed at encouraging interdisciplinary research and innovation, strengthening the link between basic research and global challenges, and consolidating Unifi's role as a benchmark of excellence in the European scientific landscape.To realise this strategic vision, the University provides targeted calls for applications to consolidate scientific independence, promote researchers' career development, and support innovative ideas and activities eligible to compete successfully across national and European programmes covering the entire research pipeline—from upgrading physical infrastructure to top-level European competition. Major Internal Research Funding Calls Through this integrated framework of funding and resources, the University not only enhances its technical infrastructure but also actively fosters a dynamic scientific community capable of transforming innovative ideas into high-impact global results.Further details on each University call for applications are available on the Intranet (access requires Unifi credentials). Intranet Research Equipment Procurement A key pillar of this strategy is the call for applications for the procurement of scientific equipment, databases, and hardware infrastructure. With an annual budget of 300,000 euro, it aims to deliver state-of-the-art laboratories and the equipment essential for cutting-edge, highly interdisciplinary basic research. Intranet (access with Unifi credentials) Competitive Research Projects The University of Florence invests in its human capital by supporting researcher independence through the funding of two-year competitive projects.With an annual budget of 300,000 euro, the Annual Call for Applications promotes structured collaboration across various departments and scientific fields, enabling early-career researchers to build the solid foundation needed to compete successfully on the international stage.Learn more on the University Intranet (access requires Unifi credentials). Intranet Early Career Researcher Mobility The call for applications for international exchange funding, issued by the University of Florence with the support of Fondazione CR Firenze, aims to support early-career researchers to foster the widespread, inclusive growth of the research system and its international dimension.Dedicated to mobility, the project funds 18-month Postdoctoral Research Appointments (Art. 22-bis, Law 240/2010): the first 9 months are to be spent at a research centre of excellence abroad, followed by 9 months at the University of Florence to continue and complete the research activity. Read more Unifi4Future The international dimension is further strengthened by programmes of excellence dedicated to European Research Council (ERC) challenges: the Unifi4Future initiative, with an annual allocation of 350,000 euro, is designed to attract and support promising researchers, including those external to the University, by funding ambitious research projects aimed at submitting ERC Starting Grant proposals with the University of Florence as the host institution. Read more An Idea for Excellent Science Completing this support framework, the "An Idea for Excellent Science" call for applications rewards the creativity and outreach skills of scholars targeting prestigious ERC schemes, offering four annual awards to refine high-quality project proposals. Read more on the Intranet