Strengthening of the Italian Research Infrastructure for Metrology and Open Access Data in support to the Agrifood
METROFOOD-IT sets its targets for 2025
The representatives of the PNRR METROFOOD-IT project recently gathered in Rome to review the progress of the initiative. This meeting was particularly significant given the recent extension of the project’s duration, now set to conclude in August 2025.
During the meeting, the participants examined the progress of initiatives launched with funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). These funds have enabled the consortium partners (ENEA, University of Siena, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Parma, University of Bari, INRIM, Federico II University of Naples, University of Molise) to enhance their laboratories and research centers with innovative equipment and services. These advancements are benefiting innovation across all agri-food sector stakeholders, as evidenced by the Open Calls conducted as part of the project.
One key milestone for 2025 will be the launch of a dedicated Access Portal, which will provide access to the infrastructure’s extensive range of services, including a comprehensive training catalog.
In addition, the full operationalization of the project’s digital infrastructures is expected in the coming year. These systems will support agri-food research projects, leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance their effectiveness. This will help secure METROFOOD-IT’s long-term financial sustainability, even after the expiration of PNRR funding.
The project’s dissemination activities are also set to intensify, culminating in the creation of a podcast series dedicated to the agri-food sector later in the year.
“The METROFOOD-IT project is entering a decisive phase of its existence. In these first two years, PNRR funding has allowed us to improve the quality of the tools available to our researchers, resulting in substantial benefits for the quality of research projects. Now, in the remaining eight months, we must further consolidate our infrastructure to ensure it can continue supporting the agri-food sector independently,” emphasized METROFOOD-IT coordinator Claudia Zoani.
