Health research and the importance of European networks: the Grant Office’s experience of Alessandria’s Hospital

The aim of this paper is to describe the experience of the SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo Hospital of Alessandria (AO AL) in its approach to European projects. The AO AL, through its Research & Innovation Department (DAIRI), promotes a strategy for accessing European funding, involving, and accompanying hospital professionals in research design activities. The aim of this initiative is to make the most of the opportunities offered to state members for the development of health research and its impact on health care and public health. DAIRI uses the "Grant Office" with the aim of promoting initiatives to obtain national and international funding and to train healthcare professionals in the drafting of projects. DAIRI has taken the opportunity to become part of the European planning context by participating in networks (Enterprise Europe Network, European Reference Network) and European platforms (European Research Infrastructure of Biobanks and BioMolecular Resources, Water Europe).