The University also carries out contract activities ‘on behalf of third parties’, that is, activities that involve the provision of services for the market. These are real commercial activities which generally involve carrying out research (more rarely an educational activity) for companies or other bodies. Research and teaching projects can be defined on demand whereas routine activities such as tests on concrete or ropes are proposed within a catalogue. Contract activities are an important source of funding for universities, because their profit margins allow the funding of institutional activities.
In 2020, the University approved a new internal regulation on contract activities, with the aim of promoting their development and consolidating relationships with businesses. The graph shows the figures in the financial statements: the total value of contract activities does not represent the sum of the orders received in a year, but the value of the contract activities undertaken in that period. In 2023 this type of activity grew due to contracts signed with private companies, while for last year a different trend has emerged.

In 2024, profits resulting from services on behalf of third parties decreased for the second consecutive year. The decline is mainly due to a reduction in activities with Italian private institutions, which have halved compared to the previous year. On the other hand, requests for collaboration from Italian public institutions and of foreign private institutions is increasing, indicating a possible diversification of customers and a partial rebalancing toward the public sector and internationalisation. However, the overall downturn may suggest the need for more structured relations with the region and with local businesses.