University Highlights: Key Resolutions – November 2025

NOTICES

Census of collaborations with Israeli institutions

A census of the University’s collaborations with Israeli institutions—carried out in accordance with the resolutions of 17 June 2025 and 23 September 2025—was presented to the Academic Senate. The mapping, conducted using the University’s information systems and following a review across Departments and Structures, confirmed the exclusively civilian nature of all ongoing collaborations. The University of Bologna also continues to strengthen its procedures relating to research ethics, safety and dual use, through a newly established working group and the upcoming adoption of University guidelines in line with national and European legislation.

APPOINTMENTS

Evaluation Committee for academic salary classes – Second session 2025

The appointment of the evaluation committee for the attribution of salary classes to academic staff and researchers has been approved, pursuant to Law 240/2010 and University Regulations.

New representatives of the Guarantee Committee for Equal Opportunities – CUG

The Academic Senate approved the Rector’s proposal for the appointment of 10 University representatives to the CUG, 5 full members and 5 alternates, selected on the basis of their professional experience and the specific expertise outlined in their applications. These members join an equal number of representatives designated by the Trade Unions.

TEACHING

Teaching calendar 2026/27 and suspension of teaching activities

The new teaching calendar has been approved. For all degree programmes—except those bound by ministerial deadlines—teaching in the first term will normally begin between 14 September and the first week of October 2026, and teaching in the second term between 8 February and the first week of March 2027. For programmes taught at the Cittadella, one week of teaching suspension per semester has been confirmed (26–30 October 2026 and 15–19 March 2027) to allow for exams and graduation ceremonies. In other locations and Campuses, no general suspension is planned, though Departments are encouraged to ensure priority for academic staff taking part in degree committees.

PhD Departmental Budget (BDD) for the 42nd cycle

With regard to the PhD Budget (BDD) for the 42nd cycle, the following have been approved: the amounts allocated to Departments (including the standardised value of the 41 ESF scholarships awarded in the 41st cycle as an “advance” on the 42nd-cycle BDD); updated criteria for distributing the BDD; an increase in PhD scholarships for the 42nd cycle across all amounts (minimum, intermediate and maximum), including the 50% increase for periods abroad and the research and training budget; the option for Departments of Excellence to use residual funds for future scholarships or initiatives aligned with their strategic objectives.

RESEARCH AND THIRD MISSION

Regulations for post-graduate research fellowships

A favourable opinion has been expressed on updating the Regulations for post-graduate research fellowships, which will enter into force on 1 January 2026. The main changes concern the reinstatement of the ordinary limits on the use of research fellowships: maximum age of candidates restored to 39 years; total duration reduced from 24 to 12 months, with possible extensions up to 24 months subject to evaluation by the Vice-Rector for Research; minimum duration still set at 4 months. An increase in minimum and maximum monthly allowance amounts is also envisaged.

Membership of the European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform – EATIP

The University’s full membership of EATIP—an international non-profit association bringing together research bodies, companies and institutions engaged in sustainable aquaculture development—has been approved.

New framework agreements with the Emilia-Romagna Region, Vertiv S.r.l. and Marchesini S.p.A.

A favourable opinion was expressed on the framework agreement between the University and the Emilia-Romagna Region on natural risk prevention and mitigation. Framework agreements with Vertiv S.r.l. and Marchesini S.p.A. were also approved, covering research and innovation, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, teaching and lifelong learning, sustainability and social innovation.

Agreement with the Umberto Eco Foundation ETS

A five-year collaboration agreement has been signed with the Umberto Eco Foundation ETS to support and develop the forthcoming Eco Library, which will house the renowned scholar’s modern working library and archive. The agreement aims to develop synergies between the University and the Foundation in the design and implementation of cultural and scientific activities.

STUDENT SERVICES

Teacher Training Programme Fees – a.y. 2025/26

For the a.y. 2025/26, the Teacher Training Programmes (PFI) will once again apply a contribution scheme based on the ISEE indicator. This ensures full exemption for students with an ISEE of up to €27,000 and partial exemptions for the subsequent brackets. The maximum contribution remains unchanged: €2,400 for PFI awarding 60 ECTS and €1,900 for those awarding 36 or 30 ECTS. Full exemption is guaranteed for students with a disability rating of 66% or above. This is a strongly inclusive measure, counter to national trends, which supports graduates from all teaching areas of the University.

Motion to strengthen student representation in the right to education

The motion approved by the Academic Senate commits the University to call on regional authorities to ensure maximum consideration of students’ views on the right to education, through increasingly structured dialogue with their representatives.

BUDGET, PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT

Extraordinary BIR allocation and external funds for research fellowships

Given the large number of National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) research projects, and to ensure continuity for researchers while optimising the use of the University’s technological infrastructure, an extraordinary allocation of over €4.3 million has been approved to consolidate and sustain the results achieved within these projects, through measures aligned with the University’s strategic objectives. A further €271,000 from external funds will be used to activate new research fellowships.

STAFF AND ORGANIZATION

Second Recruitment Round 2025

The requests submitted by Departments for the second recruitment round 2025 have been approved, including positions under the 2023–2027 Departments of Excellence Projects, for a total of 34.90 recruitment budgeting units. For tenure-track researcher (RTT) positions activated in the second 2025 round, if the selected candidate is a junior fixed-term researcher (RTDa) funded under the PNRR, the start date will be set for the first working day after the RTDa contract expires, provided that this contract is still in force when the Board of Governors approves the appointment.

Ministry of University and Research recruitment authorisations for 2025 and adjustment of recruitment budgeting units for the accessory pay fund

The Ministry has granted the University 71.18 recruitment budgeting units, whose distribution for the 2026 staffing plan of academic and professional staff will be defined in early 2026. The increase in the accessory pay fund for professional staff—financed through recruitment authorisations—has been aligned with Ministry guidelines, while keeping unchanged the commitments approved by the Board of Governors in March and July 2025.

PARTICIPATION IN EXTERNAL ENTITIES

Interuniversity Centres: establishment of "CybeRights" and CIRIG; membership of the “Edoardo Sanguineti” Centre

The University will participate in the establishment of the “Interuniversity Research Centre CybeRights” and the “Interuniversity Research Centre in Legal Informatics” – CIRIG. The University will also join the “Interuniversity Edoardo Sanguineti Centre.” University representatives have been appointed for each of the three Centres.

INSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Emanuele Orsini to Receive an Honorary Degree from the University of Bologna

The Academic Senate of the University of Bologna has approved the proposal submitted by Rector Giovanni Molari to award an honorary degree in Architecture to Confindustria President Emanuele Orsini, one of the most prominent figures in Italy in the field of sustainable construction and the wood supply chain.

All resolutions are available on Organi web and Intranet