SISSA stands at the forefront of international research, with proven excellence across all key scientific areas. In the latest national assessment (VQR 2015–2019), the School ranked first in Italy in most scientific-disciplinary sectors, and its Physics and Mathematics Areas were named Departments of Excellence for two consecutive terms. With over 30 ERC grants—one for every three faculty members, the highest ratio in Italy—SISSA is a hub for some of the world’s most productive and impactful scientists, as confirmed by the 2022 Stanford global ranking.
This level of excellence is the result of a research ecosystem built on autonomy, quality, and strategic vision. Faculty members lead independent research groups, attract significant competitive funding, and train PhD students as future scientists within high-performing teams. Scientific output is consistently published in leading international journals, and the quality of research is monitored through rigorous internal evaluation and strategic planning. SISSA’s model ensures that excellence is not only sustained but continually improved—making it a reference point for frontier science in Europe and beyond.
SISSA researchers publish extensively in top-tier, peer-reviewed international journals, producing an average of nearly 800 scientific papers per year. Over the last decade, more than 7,300 publications have involved SISSA-affiliated scientists, often in collaboration with over 400 institutions worldwide. This remarkable output reflects not only the productivity but also the scientific impact of the School: in fact approximately 35% of SISSA faculty members are ranked among the world’s most influential scientists, according to the Stanford University citation-based metrics. The majority of these publications emerge from research funded by prestigious programs such as the European Research Council (ERC) and Horizon Europe, further attesting to the originality, rigor, and global relevance of SISSA’s scientific work.
SISSA is home to over 40 autonomous research groups led by internationally renowned scientists. Each group is coordinated by a Principal Investigator who independently defines and develops high-impact research lines. This model ensures scientific freedom and fosters innovation at the highest level. In 2024 alone, SISSA’s Principles Investigators research projects secured over 10 million euros in competitive national and international funding—clear recognition of the outstanding quality and relevance of its scientific output. Within this vibrant ecosystem, PhD students are fully integrated into the research teams, receiving advanced training and hands-on experience that prepares them to become professional scientists capable of pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
SISSA's scientific excellence is certified by its outstanding success in securing prestigious international grants. The School has been awarded over 30 European Research Council (ERC) grants—achieving the highest ratio in Italy with one ERC for every three faculty members. In addition, SISSA consistently attracts funding from programs like Horizon Europe and national excellence schemes, confirming the originality, competitiveness, and global relevance of its research.
SISSA adopts a rigorous and multi-level approach to monitoring research quality. Internally, the Research Quality Committee regularly carries out self-assessments and collects feedback from the international scientific community to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with global standards. Externally, SISSA successfully passed ANVUR’s institutional accreditation in 2020, earning top evaluations for its research strategy, international collaborations, and scientific output. Strategic objectives are also systematically tracked through the Integrated Activity and Organization Plan (PIAO), a framework that defines and evaluates performance indicators to support data-driven decision-making and excellence across the institution.