The University’s research projects are also assisted by private funding, with donations and participation in open calls from foundations, associations and companies.

The foundations are private non-profit organisations, entirely autonomous in their decision-making regarding their institutional mission.

Their action is aimed at pursuit of goals that are socially useful, also in the fields of academic research and technology transfer.

The funding bodies that make the biggest contribution to research projects, both nationally and internationally, are:

• Fondazione Cariplo: Banking foundation that offers non-repayable sums to Third Sector organisations for the setting up of socially useful projects.  The Cariplo Foundation operates in four areas: Environment, Art and Culture, Academic Research, Personal Service Activities. The funding is allocated through various methods: Calls, symbolic giving (fundraising), territorial and institutional donations, and sponsorship.
• Associazione Italiana per la ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC):  Italian Cancer Research Association: association that offers various funding opportunities to scientists who carry out research in the cancer field
• Agenzia di Ricerca per la Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica (Arisla)
• Telethon
• Axa
• Fondazione Con i Bambini
• Fondazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (FISM)
• Fondazione celiachia
• Roche
• L’Oréal-UNESCO “Per le Donne e la Scienza”
• Banca d’Italia