Master in Data Management and Curation (MDMC)

Shaping Data, Shaping the Future!

Become an Expert in FAIR Data Management and Curation with Area Science Park & SISSA

Advanced, hands-on training for the next generation of data professionals, delivered in the heart of Trieste's renowned scientific ecosystem. 

In today's data-driven world, the ability to manage, curate, and leverage data effectively is paramount. Both scientific research and industry increasingly demand professionals skilled in making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). Furthermore, in today's AI-driven landscape, mastering data management is absolutely critical to safeguarding the integrity and security of the algorithms we increasingly rely on. 

The 10-months professional course “Master in Data Management and Curation (MDMC)”, a unique joint initiative by Area Science Park and SISSA, is designed to equip you with the advanced, practical skills needed to excel in this critical field.

Why Choose  MDMC?

• Prestigious Partnership: Learn from two leading institutions, both founded in Trieste in 1978: Area Science Park, a national public research organisation, which has always been a link between research, innovation and industry, and SISSA, one of the six Italian school of excellence, which is a scientific center of advanced research in mathematics, physics and neuroscience within the national and international academic scene. Both share the scientific objective of doing frontier research in the field of Artificial Intelligence. This unique collaboration offers an unparalleled learning environment.   
• Specialized FAIR & Open Science Focus: Gain in-depth expertise in FAIR principles and Open Science methodologies, skills highly sought after by research institutions and funding bodies across Europe.   
• Unique Hands-On Approach: Go beyond theory with our innovative "FAIR-by-design" methodology. Apply your learning during a six months extensive practical internship within real, cutting-edge research laboratories and companies.
• Targeted Career Outcomes: Prepare for in-demand roles like Data Steward, Data Curator, Data Engineer and Research Data Manager, equipped with the practical experience needed in academia,  research infrastructures and private data-intensive organizations. 

Ready to Shape the Future of Data?

MDMC OBJECTIVES

This Master program is designed to provide you with both the theoretical foundation and the practical, hands-on skills essential for managing the entire research data lifecycle effectively and responsibly.

Upon successful completion of the Master in Data Management and Curation, you will be able to:

• Master FAIR Principles & Open Science: Deeply understand and advocate for the principles of Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) data within the broader context of Open Science methodologies and European initiatives like EOSC (European Open Science Cloud), European Commission funders and others.   
• Implement FAIR-by-Design Workflows: Design, implement, and manage practical "FAIR-by-design" data workflows and pipelines  directly within research environments, ensuring data is managed correctly from collection to publication and beyond.
• Develop Comprehensive Data Management Plans (DMPs): Create, evaluate, and execute robust Data Management Plans tailored to specific research projects, addressing funder requirements and best practices.   
• Manage Metadata Effectively: Define, create, enrich, and utilize rich metadata using appropriate standards, schemas, ontologies, and vocabularies to ensure data discoverability and interoperability.   
• Utilize Data Management Tools & Technologies: Gain practical experience with essential tools, software (including Python for data management ), database systems, data formats, and potentially cloud environments for data acquisition, curation, analysis, and storage.   
• Curate and Preserve Research Data: Apply best practices for data curation, including data quality assessment , documentation , storage , and long-term preservation strategies using appropriate repositories.   
• Navigate Legal & Ethical Frameworks: Understand and apply principles related to data protection (e.g., GDPR ), intellectual property, data licensing , and research ethics, particularly when handling sensitive data.   
• Understand AI Fundamentals and Applications: Grasp the core concepts of Artificial Intelligence and explore its practical applications in various scientific domains, bridging the gap between AI theory and real-world scientific challenges.
• Perform Foundational Data Analysis: Apply introductory statistical analysis and machine learning concepts to explore and understand research data.   
• Operate as a Data Steward: Be prepared to act as a skilled Data Steward, Data Engineer or Research Data Manager within research institutions or other data-intensive organizations. This professional course provides the opportunity to acquire robust technical competencies (e.g., in data handling, metadata management, tool usage) that can be applied at various levels, allowing you to tailor your positioning within the Data Steward role based on your career aspirations and the specific needs of the organization.

WHY MDMC IS UNIQUE

The Master in Data Management and Curation  (MDMC)  stands apart as a premier program, uniquely positioned at the intersection of cutting-edge research and practical application. 

Thanks to the strategic alliance between Area Science Park and SISSA, and the presence of a vibrant research and innovation ecosystem in the Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) region, MDMC students benefit from a uniquely fertile ground for developing practical, high-value data skills.

This regional synergy — rich in research institutions, startups, and innovation clusters — makes Trieste the ideal hub to host such a cutting-edge training program.

A core element of our program is the deep dive into FAIR-by-design methodology. Unlike many courses focusing solely on the theory of Open Science or FAIR data, MDMC immerses you in the practical application of these principles to solve real-world data management challenges. This is not just about applying rules; it's about architecting data workflows from the ground up to ensure data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. 

This emerging professional profile in FAIR-by-design Research Data Management and Curation is uniquely characterized by its proactive "FAIR by design" approach, embedding Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable principles directly into the research data lifecycle from the outset, rather than as an afterthought. Distinct from traditional data management or curation, it demands deep integration within the research process, a strong focus on ab initio semantic and technical interoperability, and a hybrid blend of technical, domain-specific, ethical, and communication skills. This role acts as a strategic enabler, maximizing the value and long-term impact of research data within the modern scientific ecosystem.

Implementing FAIR-by-design in real-world research settings requires more than technical knowledge – it demands flexibility, creative problem-solving, and adaptability. You will learn to architect data workflows tailored to specific scientific contexts, moving beyond rigid protocols to build efficient and sustainable data systems. This fosters a versatile mindset crucial for navigating complex data environments.   

Our experience from the pilot edition, where students undertook internships across a wide range of diverse experimental laboratories, provides an invaluable asset. This hands-on engagement with heterogeneous, real-world scenarios has generated a wealth of practical insights and lessons learned that we integrate into the curriculum, enriching the learning experience for all future students.

Beyond research, the principles and skills mastered in FAIR data management are directly transferable to industrial contexts. This expertise proves particularly valuable for enhancing common data pipelines (ETL/ELT), as FAIR's focus on rich metadata, interoperability via standardized vocabularies, data quality, and provenance tackles frequent industrial challenges like data integration and complex transformations. Consequently, the ability to design machine-actionable and interoperable data systems offers a significant advantage for streamlining these commercial workflows.

The MDMC program equips you with a unique blend of deep FAIR expertise and a flexible, creative approach to data workflow design. This versatility ensures you can seamlessly adapt your skills to the more defined structures often found in industrial settings. Graduates are not just FAIR data specialists; they are adaptable data professionals ready to enhance data value and efficiency, whether in advanced research or data-driven industry.

HOW TO APPLY (NOW OPEN!!!)

Admission Requirements (Academic Year 2025-2026)

Admission to the Master in Data Management and Curation – MDMC - for the Academic Year 2025-2026 requires candidates to hold a Bachelor's degree (Laurea Triennale) or a Master's degree (Laurea Magistrale/Specialistica), or an equivalent university degree (e.g., pre-reform Italian Diploma di Laurea).

Download the call document here.

In addition to the degree qualification, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements by the start date of the lessons to effectively follow the program:

• English Language: A good proficiency in English is required (CEFR B2 level or higher is strongly recommended), as all lectures and teaching activities will be conducted exclusively in English.
• Python Programming: Basic Python programming skills are required, as detailed in the specifications provided in Annex 1.
• Mathematical Skills: Minimum mathematical knowledge equivalent to that acquired through university-level Calculus 1 and 2 courses (or equivalent).
• Statistical Skills: Basic knowledge of statistics, including elements of probability theory, hypothesis testing techniques, understanding of Bayes' theorem, and statistical model comparison.
• Technical Equipment: Availability and ability to use a personal computer equipped with a functioning Linux operating environment.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

Applications for the Academic Year 2025-2026 must be completed and submitted exclusively through the dedicated online platform, accessible at the following link (application is available both in Italian and in English):

PICA - Master in Data Management and Curation: MDMC. Application Call 2025 - 2026

THE APPLICATION WILL BE OPEN FROM APRIL 29TH TO JUNE 10TH.

The online procedure requires uploading the following mandatory documents:

• Letter of Motivation: A document outlining the candidate's reasons for interest in the MDMC Master and their professional goals (150 - 1500 characters).
• Identity Document: A copy (front and back) of a valid identity document (ID card or passport).
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): An updated CV detailing the candidate's educational background and any professional experience.

Applications submitted through other channels will not be considered. 

For information regarding the application procedure, please contact ILAS at SISSA

Selection, Fees, and Financial Aid

For the Academic Year 2025-2026, the Master in Data Management and Curation (MDMC) will admit a maximum of 15 participants. 

The standard tuition fee for the Master is €4.500,00.

The selection process will be based on the evaluation of qualifications (CV, academic background and motivation letter) submitted with the application. The selection committee may also invite candidates for an individual online interview to further assess their preparation, skills, and motivation. At the end of the process, a final ranking of admitted candidates will be established. 

Based on the position in this final ranking, the following financial aid packages are available:

• Candidates ranked 1st to 5th: Will be exempt from paying the full tuition fee (value € 4.500,00).
• Candidates ranked 1st to 4th: will receive a financial contribution of € 3.000,00^[1] [gross amount] to support attendance during the lecture period in Trieste (indicatively mid-September to mid-December 2025).

For admitted candidates ranked from 6th to 15th, the standard tuition fee of €4.500,00 will apply. Further details on fee payment procedures and timelines, and on the disbursement of the financial contribution, will be specified directly to the recipients.

[1]To be eligible for the financial contribution of € 3.000,00, it is necessary to be unemployed or without a job. Enrollment in a university degree or PhD is compatible with receiving the financial contribution. If one or more of the first four candidates is found to be ineligible, the ranking will be adjusted to include the next candidate in line.
 

OTHER INFORMATION

Practical information about staying in Trieste can be found at the Welcome Office FVG.
Lectures will be held on the SISSA and AREA SCIENCE PARK campuses:

• AREA SCIENCE PARK campus Padriciano (Località Padriciano 99, 34149 Trieste) , reachable by bus number 51 or 51/ from the Central Train Station
• SISSA campus Bonomea (Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste), reachable by bus number 38 from Oberdan Square
• SISSA campus Beirut (Via Beirut 2, 34014 Trieste), reachable by bus number 6 or 36 from the Central Train Station

All the information about public transport in Trieste can be found at Homepage | Trieste Trasporti.

The course is part of the NFFA-DI project, which has received financial support from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Mission 4 “Education and Research” – Component 2 “From Research to Business” – Investment Line 3.1 “Fund for the implementation of an integrated system of research and innovation infrastructures”, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.