Our University participates in several research projects funded under Mission 4, component 2 of the PNRR ("From research to enterprise"). Among these, some deal with very relevant issues also from the point of view of promoting economic and environmental sustainability. Specifically, the University adheres to two National Centres on "frontier research related to technological areas", two "Innovation ecosystems on the national territory", and an "Extended Partnership".

National Centre for Agricultural Technologies (Agritech) - pursues the development and application of technologies in view of 5 main objectives: resilience (adaptation to sustainability criteria and climate change); low impact (waste reduction and ecological sustainability); circularity (strategic development of circular economic forms); recovery (development of marginal areas); traceability (promotion of safety, traceability and typicality of agri-food supply chains).

National Centre for Biodiversity - aims to carry out research and promote the development of solutions to monitor, preserve and restore functional biodiversity, in order to counteract human impact, the effects of climate change and to support ecosystem services; support research and innovation activities for the enhancement of biodiversity through circular economy and restoration economy processes, capable of protecting environmental resources and ensuring people's well-being; address emerging issues closely related to human well-being, such as forestation and urban regeneration, and the identification of Nature Based Solutions capable of mitigating socio-environmental problems (pollution, environmental disasters and global warming).

Digital and Sustainable North West – NODES – has as its general objective
the creation of an innovation ecosystem involving the territories of Piedmont, Valle D'Aosta and Lombardy, starting with innovation actors (universities, innovation hubs, research centres, competence centres, incubators), linked to local production and research vocations. In this sense, the research activities carried out focus primarily on some focuses concerning digital and ecological transitions: Industry 4.0 for sustainable mobility and aerospace; green technologies and sustainable industry; culture and tourism industry, digital innovation for a sustainable mountain; industry for health and the "silver economy"; primary and secondary agro-industry.

Ecosystem for Sustainable Transition in Emilia Romagna – aims to enhance regional research and the industrial ecosystem as a whole, promoting its structural strengthening; facilitate technology transfer and accelerate the digital transformation of company production processes with a view to economic and environmental sustainability; strengthen the connection and strengthen the role of local communities and progressively enable the PA in research and innovation processes. The project is being implemented under the direction of the Ecosister Foundation, of which the University is a founding member.

Onfoods, Models for a sustainable diet - aims to promote the sustainability of food production the sustainability of food distribution; increase adherence and/or adherence to sustainable dietary patterns; improve the quality of food and diet; ensuring food security in the general population and vulnerable targets; Develop smart technologies to promote sustainable production and consumption.