From September 20 to 25, 2026, the annual “Week of Science” and the “European Night of Researchers” return, organized by the National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS in Rome.
This year the event takes on particular significance because the Institute marks 90 years since its founding and 30 years since being recognized as a Scientific Hospitalization and Healthcare Institute (IRCCS). The “Week of Science” stands as the central moment of the celebrations planned throughout 2026, with several activities scheduled.
«These two anniversaries – explains the general director, Cristina Matranga – tell a story built on research, innovation and care. The Week of Science will be an event open to everyone: healthcare workers, enthusiasts, residents, families, students, children – to show and share what we do in terms of research and innovation. More than 30 interactive laboratories, film forums, meetings with doctors and researchers are planned to make Science fun and accessible. Moreover, this year we wanted to emphasize the strong link between science and sport, understood as the first step toward prevention and a healthy physical and mental state.»
The Initiative
From this, the organization of “Run for Science” grew—a small running race that on September 20 will open the Week’s program. A highly symbolic moment since the route will wind entirely through the avenues of Spallanzani and the nearby San Camillo hospital.
In presenting the initiative, the scientific director, Enrico Girardi, said: «Biomedical research produces knowledge that translates into interventions to improve the health of the population. The Week of Science aims to be a two-way exchange, a dialogue: on one hand we want to show and touch what we do, but at the same time we have the will and duty to listen to the citizens, collect their input and expectations. Precisely because biomedical research is an open activity aimed at improving public health, researchers need to understand the needs the public expresses.»
The Spallanzani Institute once again has planned events and activities for all ages. Here is the program in detail:
- Sunday, September 20, 8:30 a.m., “Run for Science: a non-competitive 5k race and a competitive 10k inside Spallanzani and San Camillo. Following the run, “Life Talk: Life, Emergency, Care”: a gathering and storytelling session about life, emergencies and care with the voices of those who deal with them every day.
- Monday, September 21, 11:00 a.m., “Science Meets”: a dialogue among the IRCCS of Lazio with the aim of strengthening dialogue and collaboration between the institutes, facilitating the sharing of experiences, expertise and plans on topics of common interest for biomedical research and healthcare.
- Tuesday, September 22, 9:30 a.m., “Journey into the Invisible World” dedicated to preschool children with a hands-on journey through five labs to discover what cannot be seen with the naked eye. At 4:00 p.m., “From Research to Community”: a meeting between experts from Spallanzani, the ASLs and the Lazio Region to explore how research, innovation and collaboration between institutions can improve HIV and sexually transmitted infection prevention, and build an increasingly effective and citizen-centered network. Following this, there will be an open session with Elena Di Cioccio for a testimony and a dialogue on the value of prevention, information and fighting stigma.
- Wednesday, September 23, 9:30 a.m., “Cinema & Science” with the screening of the film “An Honest Liar” and the conference-performance “Believing the Incredible: Why Do We Believe What Isn’t True” led by science communicators Massimo Polidoro and Emilio Giovenale. The event is reserved for middle and high schools. At 7:00 p.m. “Aperitivo scientifico” with a meeting between university students, high school students and researchers from ISSNAF (Italian Scientists & Scholars in North America Foundation). At 8:30 p.m. another session of “Cinema & Science” open to all with the screening of “Interstellar.”
- Thursday, September 24, 9:30 a.m., “Cinema & Science” with the screening of the film “120 BPM” for high schools. At 8:30 p.m. a concert by Gerardo Di Lella and the Pop Orchestra.
- To close, as tradition, Friday, September 25, starting at 6:00 p.m. “The European Night of Researchers” with 34 laboratories, installations, science games and immersive experiences for all ages.
