The Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, the oldest university in the Western world, has gained considerable experience in International and European research projects, successfully participated in FP7 and with a strong involvement in Horizon 2020. University of Bologna is also partner of the EIT Knowledge&Innovation Communities "EIT Digital", "Climate KIC", "EIT Raw Materials" and participates in many of the most important EU initiatives related to Horizon 2020.

The University of Bologna offers a wide range of expertise in several research and innovation areas and technologies, such as advanced mechanics, ICT, materials and environmental engineering, with a complementary offer of social science and humanities know how. The university is also the leading partner of one of the under establishment Italian Competence Center on Industry 4.0, selected by the Italian Ministry for Economic Development for funding.