The Italian Ministry for Universities and Research (MUR) is the key RTD policy actor and funding agency in Italy at state level. MIUR is in charge to prepare and to submit the National Research Programme (PNR – Piano Nazionale della Ricerca) proposal to the Government and to directly manage it. The Ministry also has key responsibilities for international co-operation. It concludes bi- and multilateral agreements on research and technology collaboration and is in charge of coordinating Italy’s participation in the European Union’s Framework Programme.