The United States hosted the Republic of Italy in Washington, D.C., on April 1-2 for the 15th U.S.-Italy Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Science and Technology Cooperation. The State Department’s Senior Bureau Official for European and Eurasian Affairs, Brendan Hanrahan, co-chaired the meeting with Italy’s Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi.
The delegations used this JCM to commit to deepening cooperation in quantum sciences, high‑performance computing and artificial intelligence, fission and fusion energy, biotechnology, and advanced materials. The two sides decided to promote joint research, researcher exchanges, shared infrastructure, and public‑private partnerships. They also highlighted their shared interest in reinforcing research security in critical technologies and helping partners adopt similar practices to protect innovation.
To advance these objectives Italy announced significant funding for strategic joint research projects in 2027–2028 in identified priority areas, opening avenues for U.S. research entities to compete for high‑value collaborations with their Italian counterparts. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to a close scientific and technology partnership that drives U.S. and Italian innovation, supports jobs and mutual economic growth, and delivers tangible benefits to both peoples.
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April 14, 2026 – 15TH ITALY – US JOINT COMMISSION MEETING ON SCIENCE AND TECNOLOGY COOPERATION – JOINT DECLARATION
Joint Statement of the 15th U.S.-Italy Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation
April 1-2, 2026
The United States hosted the Italian Republic in Washington, DC, on April 1-2, for the 15th U.S.-Italy Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Science and Technology Cooperation. The State Department’s Senior Bureau Official for European and Eurasian Affairs, Brendan Hanrahan, co-chaired the meeting with Italy’s Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi.
Building on our countries’ shared interest in developing science and technology capabilities and standards that catalyze innovation and advance lasting prosperity, pursuant to the 1988 U.S.-Italy Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, the Joint Declaration signed in Rome in 2023 at the 14th JCM, and the 2025 U. S.-Italy Joint Leaders’ statement issued in Washington, DC, the delegations decided to accelerate scientific collaboration across strategic disciplines, including but not limited to:
Emerging Technologies: Quantum, High-Performance Computing, AI, and Big Data
- Strengthening the U.S. and Italian scientific leadership in hybrid AI/quantum algorithms and HPC integration, large-scale data processing and analytics, quantum materials, quantum information science and technology in science and industry.
- Stimulating partnerships, encouraging the exchange of students and researchers, and making available unique high-level facilities for collaboration purposes, including infrastructure for large-scale data generation, management, and analysis.
Energy: Fusion and Fission
- Advancing joint research and industrial development in the fission and fusion sectors by accelerating innovation for safe and sustainable energy production.
- Activating joint research programs, expertise exchanges, shared infrastructure, and public-private partnerships to maximize results and ensure sustainability.
Biotechnology
- Defining and implementing joint efforts on biofabrication, biomanufacturing and bio-digital/immune engineering. Strengthening cooperation to develop advanced therapies, scalable production platforms and precision, predictive and personalized medicine solutions.
- Enhancing translational collaboration and training across academia, industry and venture ecosystems. Enabling collaborative projects and mobility in different areas, including biomanufacturing.
Advanced Materials
- Boosting U.S. and Italian innovation in advanced materials and biophysics technology based on a multidisciplinary approach to critical materials, quantum biosensing and sustainable additive manufacturing.
- Fostering coordinated research efforts through multi-agency coordination, leveraging research integration through infrastructure sharing, exchange of researchers/students, dissemination and research outputs valorization.
The JCM Co-Chairs tasked four Joint Commission Working Groups, composed of researchers of the United States and Italy with expertise in the relevant disciplines, to support the objectives of this Joint Statement. The Working Groups aim to meet regularly either in person or virtually. The Co-Chairs requested a future review of the activities of the Working Groups.
Recognizing the need to reinforce research security, particularly in the field of critical and emerging technologies, the delegations decided to cooperate on relevant research security initiatives. This includes identifying and mitigating threats to our research enterprises through capacity building for academia, research organizations, and industry; collaboration on risk assessment on key technologies; and helping other partners to adopt similarly rigorous practices that protect our innovation ecosystems.
To advance these objectives, the Italian side intends to significantly enhance its financial support to finance strategic joint U.S.-Italian research projects for the years 2027-8 in the areas of quantum sciences, high-performance computing and AI, fission and fusion, biotechnology, and advanced materials.
Recognizing the pivotal role of private sector innovators in mobilizing the knowledge and capital necessary to reinforce joint leadership in emerging technologies, the delegations decide to promote public-private cooperation in science and technology, also considering the Triple Helix model of innovation across academia, industry, and government.
The delegations welcomed the forthcoming U.S.-Italy Dialogue on Trusted Technologies at Villa Firenze in Washington on April 28 and proposed discussions at the 5th U.S. Stakeholders’ Meeting of the Transatlantic Harmonic Foundation in October 2026 as opportunities to continue expanding JCM activities. Furthermore, they expressed appreciation for the integrated approach between scientific research and private sector innovation underlying the forthcoming Italy-U.S. Business, Innovation, Science and Investment Forum in Miami, which will include a high-level science dialogue.
This JCM reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to a continued close partnership in science and technology, with the shared goal of maximizing scientific discovery and unlocking innovation potential. Our continued commitment to robust scientific engagement will propel our economies forward and lead to a brighter future for both peoples.
Updated April 14, 2026
