The national research groups are CNR bodies aiming at promoting and coordinating scientific researches which, at national level, channel into the several fields of science and of its applications.

The national research groups last for five years; this period is subject to extension. They are established with ordinance of CNR Chairman, upon resolution of the Chairmanship Council and of the administrative Board, after hearing the relevant National Consulting Committees and after receiving the approval of the Supervisory Authority.

University teachers and individual researchers may join the research groups in order to carry out free research activity in accordance with the rules defining their working position.

The participation of university teachers and individual researchers to the research groups is determined annually by the regulation of CNR Chairman, upon resolution of the Chairmanship Council, upon proposal of the Scientific Council of the national research group, after hearing the relevant National Consulting Committee.

The national research groups may be organized in sections gathering the followers of the groups themselves for uniformity of research themes on a national basis.

In the ambit of sections, the by-laws of each group may also provide for the local aggregation of university teachers and individual researchers in research Unities.

The entities in charge of the national groups of research are:

1) the Manager;
2) the Scientific Council.

The Manager is appointed with regulation of the Chairman, upon resolution of the Chairmanship Council and of the Administrative Board in the execution of the Board of Directors' meeting.

The Manager provide for the pursuit of the Group's aims by taking care of its management and by performing the duties set forth in the regulation of the group itself.

In particularly:

- he proposes the visitors researchers' names to invite in Italy;
- he sends on a mission university teachers and researchers who are members of the group itself.
- he promotes, at least once per year, meetings with Managers of CNR Institutes and Study Centres operating in the same scientific sector; this initiative aims at reaching the coordination between the scientific activities of the group and those of the other institutes;
- he writes annually scientific reports concerning the activities performed by the group in accordance with the methodology adopted by the body for the Institutes and the Centres;

The scientific Council is composed of:

a) the manager of the group;
b) 3 representatives elected by university teachers and researchers;
c) not more than three experts appointed by CNR Chairmanship Council upon proposal of the relevant National Consulting Committee.

The Scientific Council: it gives professional advice on the subjects falling under the competence of the group; it evaluates the scientific qualifications and the research programs of researchers and teachers wishing to join the group; it puts forward the related proposals; it gives its opinion on the annual reports prepared by researchers and university teachers on the activities performed; it gives its opinion on the annual programs of the group activity and on the related expenses plan; it gives its opinion on the annual report concerning the activities performed and the related financial statements to be submitted to CNR; it points out the meetings, the scientific refresher courses and the seminars, the group has to take care of, within the limits of the above-mentioned expenses plan; it gives its opinion on the invitation of visitors and the sending on a mission of the members of the group.