The National Research Council (CNR) is the greatest scientific public organization of our country. It was founded on 18 November 1923 and in 1945 it was transformed into a public body; it has mainly carried out training, promotion, and research coordination activities in every scientific and technological sector. In 2003, following the legislative decree of 4 June 2003 No. 127 , CNR became a "national public organization committed to carry out, promote, spread, transfer and improve research activities in the main sectors of knowledge growth and of its applications for the scientific, technological, economic and social development of the Country.

Origins

Soon after the outbreak of war, in many European countries, scientists tried to establish organizations which could join all the activities related to inventions and research. This phenomenon concerned Italy to a very limited extent. Only in 1916, the National Technical Scientific Committee (CNST) for the development and the growth of the Italian industry was founded in order to "increase bonds between Science and its applications"; in 1917, through the decree of 25 November, an extra expense of 3 million lire for "plants and furnishings of the Institutes for advanced physics, chemistry and their technical applications" was authorized; always in 1917, the Invention and Research Bureau was established and in 1918 it was transformed into the Invention and research bureau.
Through these initiatives, a greater sensitivity for the theme of science took a step forward; in November 1918, this trend was confirmed by the foundation of an International Research Council (CIR), to which Italy took part with Vito Volterra along with representatives of France, England, United States and Belgium, but, above all, by a presidential decree of 17 February 1919. This decree established a board "aiming at preparing a project of constitution of the National Research Council"; Moreover, one of its articles stated that the National Research Council purpose was the planning and promotion of researches for science and industry as well as for the national defence, in accordance with the plan proposed by the inter-allied conferences for the scientific organization which took place in London and Paris from 26 to 29 November 1918.
Through this decree, the official start of the process leading to the establishing of the CNR was ratified; it would come to an end with the issuing of the decree of 18 November 1923. Italy created 16 years earlier than France a coordination and research promotion body on a national scale.

Source: R. Simili G. Paoloni - For a history of the National Research Council - Laterza Publishers

Significant stages

Past Chairmen