CRS4: Research and Innovation Center for Sardinia
About this good practice
CRS4 (Center for Advanced Studies, Research and Development in Sardinia) is an interdisciplinary research center founded by the Region of Sardinia in 1990 with the primary goal of attracting and retaining qualified talent. Under the initial leadership of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Carlo Rubbia, CRS4 quickly positioned itself as a hub of scientific excellence, drawing internationally renowned researchers and promising young talent, especially during the early 2000s. The center has played a strategic role in the knowledge economy, acting as a catalyst for innovation and advanced skills development. Currently located in the Sardinia Science and Technology Park in Pula (CA), CRS4 benefits from state-of-the-art infrastructure and a network of high-tech enterprises. Its mission is to support Sardinia’s economic and cultural development through research, training, and technological innovation, fostering an ecosystem capable of retaining strategic professionals. CRS4’s main areas of expertise include HPC, quantum computing, AI, and predictive medicine. These fields not only address global challenges but also create opportunities for local talent, contributing to brain drain prevention and promoting the return of skilled professionals. Through collaborations with universities, industries, and scientific institutions, CRS4 has become a model for designing policies aimed at strengthening the link between research and the region, fostering sustainable and competitive development.
Resources needed
CRS4 currently employs 130 staff members and has an annual budget of approximately 12 million euros, 50% funded by the Sardinia Region and the rest obtained from regional, national, and international sources through competitive calls or specific contracts.
Evidence of success
When founded in 1991, CRS4 hired 40 young science and technology graduates. This trend has continued with fluctuations, and in the past five years, around 50 researchers have been recruited, including Italian scientists from other regions and international researchers selected through competitive scientific calls. In 2022, CRS4 launched the CRS4 Young Women Researcher Award, promoting outstanding female scientists under 32, with a call open to those born, residing, or working in Sardinia.
Potential for learning or transfer
The CRS4 model serves as a benchmark for other regions due to its ability to attract talent through cutting-edge infrastructure and targeted support strategies. Its success relies on key factors: the selection of internationally renowned Scientific Directors – including Nobel laureates like Rubbia and other prominent figures in the global scientific community – institutional backing, strong integration between research and innovation, and collaboration with local and international stakeholders. Replicating this model requires targeted investments in infrastructure, access to highly qualified expertise, and a strategic vision that harmonizes tradition and modernity.