Applications are now officially open for the new edition of the Master in Data Management and Curation (MDMC), the annual advanced training programme promoted by Area Science Park and SISSA, aimed at training highly qualified professionals in the management, enhancement, and curation of scientific data according to a FAIR-by-design approach.
Established through the collaboration between two institutions of excellence in the national and international scientific landscape, MDMC is open to ITS diploma holders and graduates with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or an equivalent degree under the previous Italian university system. The Master provides both theoretical and practical skills in data management and curation, with particular attention to data quality, integrity, and documentation throughout the entire data lifecycle. These skills are essential to ensure a safer, more reliable, and more informed use of Artificial Intelligence within the framework of Open Science and Data Governance practices.
The programme, which lasts approximately 10 months and is taught entirely in English, combines intensive in-person lectures in Trieste with a six-month internship at research laboratories and partner institutions, during which participants develop an applied project work. The curriculum is designed around the integration of data design, quality, interoperability, and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, preparing professional profiles such as Data Steward, Data Curator, Data Engineer, and Research Data Manager, which are increasingly in demand in both academia and industry.
Students will have privileged access to Area Science Park’s ORFEO HPC infrastructure, including a dedicated virtual machine, storage space, and computing resources specifically designed to support hands-on training activities in data management and data-intensive research.
Five scholarships funded by Area, SISSA, and OGS are available. These cover the tuition fee and include an additional contribution of €3,000 to support living expenses in Trieste during the period of in-person classes (September–December 2026). Two of the scholarships covering the tuition fees are reserved for SISSA members, including students, alumni, postdoctoral researchers, and technical-administrative staff.
Depending on the financial resources available through agreements or partnerships with external bodies, such as the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, or with other research institutions and private companies, additional financial support, scholarships, and prizes may become available. These will be announced on the MDMC webpage.
Applications must be submitted through the PICA portal by 1:00 pm on 30 June 2026. Selection will be based on the evaluation of the applicant’s CV and motivation letter; a short online interview may also be required.
Full details on the call for applications, admission requirements, and course structure are available in the official call.