Funding Research

Shortly after Adriano Buzzati-Traverso’s death, with his family’s consent a group of his former students and friends took the initiative to set up a Foundation in his memory, for the purpose of keeping his thought alive and of carrying on his work in favour of the scientific community.
During his whole career as a teacher, a geneticist, a radiobiologist and a promoter of genetics and molecular biology in Italy, Adriano Buzzati-Traverso had always believed in, and pursued, the education of young people entering the world of science. While keeping a deep interest in culture and art, he always regarded man and his environment as a field of research and a source of proposals to help solve the problems related to human survival on our planet.
On these premises, and out of deep gratitude for such an outstanding person, a large group of former students and close friends, together with his family members, gave their contributions to reach that goal, and the Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Foundation saw the light on July 18 1984. As stated in par. 2 of its Charter, the Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Foundation promotes and encourages initiatives at a national level in science, technology and health.
To attain such goals, the Foundation

1. Issues scholarships to graduate students in Buzzati-Traverso’s many fields of interest (genetic engineering, molecular biology, molecular genetics, immunology and natural sciences)
2. Organizes training courses in basic biological disciplines
3. Promotes or participates in the organization of scientific meetings
4. Promotes research agreements with private and public institutions involved in the same fields
5. Takes part in initiatives aimed at fostering contacts between the Foundation itself and national and international scientific bodies, their researchers and the public at large
6. Carries out any other activity suitable to pursue and support the goals of the Foundation
7. Culturally relevant collections

While still alive, Adriano Buzzati-Traverso donated part of his book collection to the University College "Fratelli Cairoli" in Pavia. The remaining part was added after his death to create the “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Fund”. The books are divided in four groups to reflect the main cultural interests of the donor: Genetics and Evolution, Radiobiology, University and Research Policy, Oceanography. The remaining volumes are distributed in the appropriate section of the library.
Part of the Fund contains a collection of scientific publications spanning the entire career of Adriano Buzzati-Traverso. The Fund is therefore a valuable scientific and cultural asset fully available to the scores of students of the Collegio Fratelli Cairoli.
The documentation concerning the activity of Adriano Buzzati-Traverso from the beginning of his university career to the last appointment as Vice General Director for Science at UNESCO, collected thanks to the valuable initiative a long-life dedicated collaborator, was organized and classified by a young professional to create the “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Historic Archive” and is now available for free consultation at the Istituto di Storia della Medicina dell’Università La Sapienza di Roma.