PNRR funding for upper secondary schools: up to €600,000 for STEM and multilingualism labs

Purpose of the measure

The notice aims to promote advanced learning pathways for upper secondary schools, with particular attention to developing scientific, technological, language and communication skills.

In particular, the measure aims to:

• strengthen students’ STEM skills;
• nurture students with a particular aptitude for science and technology;
• build multilingual skills;
• encourage the use of innovative teaching methods;
• promote exchange, discussion and mobility activities;
• spread good educational practice nationally and internationally.

Eligible applicants

Participation in the call is reserved for state upper secondary schools (second cycle).

Each school may submit only one project proposal.

Upper secondary scuole paritarie (state-recognised private schools) may take part only as partners within school networks, provided they are not commercial in nature.

Funding available per school

The maximum funding for each approved project is €600,000.

The contribution is intended for carrying out the project activities set out in the notice, in compliance with the conditions, spending limits and reporting procedures laid down by the Ministry.

Mandatory project areas

Project proposals must cover three mandatory areas of intervention:

• lab-based pathways in STEM subjects;
• training pathways on multilingualism;
• national and international exchange and mobility activities.

Lab-based pathways in STEM subjects

The first area concerns the design and delivery of lab-based pathways dedicated to STEM subjects.

Activities may cover:

• problem solving;
• data analysis;
• scientific and technological innovation;
• lab-based experimentation;
• pathways to identify and nurture talented students.

The aim is to promote advanced skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, including through practical, collaborative and innovation-oriented methods.

Training pathways on multilingualism

The second area involves training pathways dedicated to strengthening language and communication skills.

Activities may include:

• CLIL methods;
• AI-enhanced translation;
• international public speaking;
• communication activities in a foreign language;
• pathways aimed at internationalising language skills.

The pathways must help to strengthen multilingualism and spread innovative teaching methods.

National and international exchanges and mobility

The third area concerns organising exchange and mobility activities at national and international level.

These activities aim to:

• share good teaching practice;
• encourage collaboration between schools;
• promote dialogue between different educational models;
• support the internationalisation of training pathways;
• strengthen national and international school networks.

Any mobility experiences in Italy and abroad may not be funded at the same time by other European or national funds, such as the Erasmus+ programme, in line with the ban on double funding.

Eligible expenditure

Activities are reported on the basis of actual costs.

Schools may report the following expenditure items:

• training costs, including fees for expert teachers, tutors or services contracted to external providers;
• consumables and ancillary services, including teaching materials, e-learning platforms and teacher mobility costs;
• design and technical/operational costs, up to a maximum of 5% of the total funded amount.

The staff involved must be selected through an appropriate public procedure.

The purchase of equipment or depreciable assets is not allowed.

How to submit applications

Applications must be submitted exclusively online through the “Futura PNRR – Gestione Progetti” platform.

The procedure involves:

• completing the project form;
• entering the Unique Project Code (CUP);
• the School Head digitally signing the proposal;
• sending the application within the deadlines set by the notice.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted no later than 15:00 on 19 June 2026.

Applications sent after this deadline will not be considered eligible.

Assessment criteria

Proposals will be examined by a dedicated Ministry committee.

The maximum score is 100 points, broken down as follows:

• quality and innovativeness of the project proposal: up to 40 points;
• significant previous experience in STEM and multilingualism over the last five years: up to 30 points;
• composition and organisation of the project team: up to 20 points;
• documented capacity for teaching innovation: up to 10 points.

To be considered eligible, proposals must achieve an overall score above 60 points, subject to the limits of the available financial resources.

Main conditions

Based on the notice, the main conditions are:

• the measure falls under the PNRR, Investment 3.1 “New skills and new languages”;
• state upper secondary schools may apply;
• each school may submit only one project proposal;
• upper secondary scuole paritarie may take part only as network partners, if they are not commercial in nature;
• projects must include STEM, multilingualism and exchange or mobility activities;
• the maximum funding for each project is €600,000;
• reporting is based on actual costs;
• the purchase of equipment or depreciable assets is not allowed;
• mobility activities may not be covered at the same time by other European or national funding;
• the proposal must be digitally signed by the School Head.

Current status of the measure

The notice is open and allows state upper secondary schools to apply to become national reference schools for STEM and multilingualism pathways.

The measure is a significant opportunity for upper secondary schools wishing to develop innovative teaching labs, advanced language pathways, internationalisation activities and collaborative networks for spreading good educational practice.

Source: Ministry of Education and Merit – PNRR public notice, Mission 4 “Education and Research”, Component 1, Investment 3.1 “New skills and new languages”, STEM and multilingualism pathways for state upper secondary schools.