Maker Faire Rome Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026 Regulations

Art. 1 | Promoting Body and Organiser

1.1. These Regulations govern the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026”, namely the procedure for the submission of applications and the selection of State Universities, non-state non-profit universities, public research bodies or institutes and private non-profit research institutes, as prospective Participants, in the capacity of Exhibitors, in the event “Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition 2026” (hereinafter also the “Event”) (www.makerfairerome.eu), promoted by the Camera di Commercio di Roma (Chamber of Commerce of Rome) (hereinafter the “Promoter”) and organised by Innova Camera, a special in-house entity (azienda speciale) of the Chamber of Commerce of Rome, with registered office at Via de’ Burrò 147, 00186 Rome (hereinafter also the “Organiser”).

Art. 2 | Purpose of the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026”

2.1. The purpose of the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026” is to promote innovation through the dissemination of digital culture and the development of individual and collective entrepreneurship, by recognising the projects of State Universities, non-state non-profit universities, public research bodies or institutes and private non-profit research institutes deemed most deserving.

2.2. The exhibition component of the Event shall take place in person, while certain activities (including conferences, workshops, talks and other educational initiatives) may be held in digital format.

2.3. In accordance with these Regulations, State Universities, non-state non-profit universities, public research bodies or institutes and private non-profit research institutes in “Maker Faire Rome 2026” shall be identified through a selection process (hereinafter, individually, a “Participant” and collectively, the “Participants”).

Art. 3 | Duration and Venue of the Event

3.1. The exhibition component of the Event shall take place in person from 23 to 25 October 2026. Conferences, workshops and talks may be held in digital format, including on dates other than those indicated above. The detailed schedule and organisational arrangements shall be communicated by the Organiser and published on the website www.makerfairerome.eu.

3.2. The in-person Event shall take place, on the dates indicated above, in Rome at the Gazometro Ostiense area (Via del Commercio 9/11 – 00154 Rome).

3.3. The characteristics of the platform or platforms identified for the digital component of the Event (including conferences, workshops and talks that may be held in digital format) shall be published on the website www.makerfairerome.eu. For technical and organisational reasons, the Organiser reserves the right, at any time, to change the date, time and platform of the Event, giving reasonable prior notice to Participants. Any such change shall be notified to Participants already selected by email and communicated through the website www.makerfairerome.eu.

Art. 4 | Eligible Participants and Forms of Participation

4.1. Participation in the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026” is open to all State Universities, non-state non-profit universities, public research bodies or institutes and private non-profit research institutes [1], whether Italian or foreign, that intend to submit their project and, if selected, participate through one or more of the following forms of participation:

Project exhibition: a space shall be provided free of charge in order to allow visitors interested in the project to experience what is exhibited;
Talks: a slot on a virtual or physical space shall be made available, free of charge, for presentations on topics related to the themes proposed by the Event (as set out in Art. 7.1) and/or to share the Participant’s own experience. Given that Maker Faire Rome is preceded and followed by a series of events and initiatives that are not limited to the three days of the Event, such activities may be scheduled on dates other than those of the exhibition component and may be held in digital format. The relevant dates shall be communicated directly to Participants and published on the website www.makerfairerome.eu;
Workshops: a physical space shall be provided free of charge for the delivery of practical activities (workshops) for educational purposes on topics related to the themes proposed by the Event (as set out in Art. 7.1). For such activities, reimbursement may be granted for expenses incurred for materials required for their delivery, subject to the submission of appropriate supporting documentation and up to a maximum amount agreed with the Organiser;
Public performances: a physical and/or virtual space, or a physical and/or virtual stage, shall be provided free of charge in order to enable Participants to perform their creative, technological, robotics-related or musical performance. Such performances may take place in person during the days of the Event or in the form of a webinar on a date before or after the Event, so as to facilitate public access and dissemination.

4.2. Each prospective Participant may submit one or more projects and may choose one or more forms of participation.

4.3. The Organiser reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify the format of the Event, including, by way of example, by converting it from a physical event into a digital one, or by introducing limitations on the number of Participants and visitors admitted to the physical venue of the Event. Prospective Participants, being aware that the Organiser’s assessment regarding the selection and allocation of any stands or physical exhibition areas is final and not subject to appeal, hereby waive, from the outset and even in the event of their selection, any right to raise objections or challenges in relation to decisions taken directly by the Organiser with regard to projects allocated a stand or a physical exhibition area.

Art. 5 | Submission Procedure and Deadlines

5.1. Applications for participation in the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026” must be submitted exclusively through the online procedure available on the Exhibitor Portal (the Bobuild web platform dedicated to exhibitors), by completing, in Italian and/or English, the relevant form available in the restricted area published on the official website www.makerfairerome.eu, selecting the forms of participation referred to in Art. 4.1. Submission of the application shall take place upon prior creation of a personal account.

5.2. Applications for participation in the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026” must be received no later than 15 30 June 2026 at 11:59 a.m. CEST (extended deadline), subject to any extension of the deadline granted at the sole discretion of Innova Camera, which shall be communicated to prospective Participants through the channels deemed most appropriate by the Organiser (for example, publication on the Event website).

5.3. All communications between the Organiser and prospective Participants shall be carried out using the email address provided during registration on the Bobuild Exhibitor Platform.

5.4. In order to participate in the Event, each prospective Participant must accept these Regulations.

Art. 6 | Accuracy of Information

6.1. Prospective Participants declare, under their sole responsibility, that all information, data and, more generally, any materials provided in connection with the submission of the application and/or at any other stage of the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026” are accurate, truthful and complete. In the event of any change to such information, the prospective Participant undertakes to notify the Organiser promptly.

6.2. In the event of a breach of this provision, prospective Participants and/or Participants undertake to fully indemnify and hold harmless the Organiser, the Promoter and the Sponsors from and against any claim or request for compensation brought by any third party, and shall be solely and exclusively responsible for the information declared.

Art. 7 | Project Topics and Evaluation Criteria

7.1. Projects may relate, by way of example, to the following areas:

3D Printing
Aerospace
Agritech
Artificial Intelligence
Big Data
Biohacking
Circular Economy
Digital Manufacturing
Education
Health & Wellbeing / Wellness & Healthcare
IoT & Electronics
Mobility and Drones
Robotics
Smart Cities
Smart Robotics

With further areas of focus and dedicated sections, including:

Art
Artisans & New Craft
Augmented – Virtual Reality
Coding
Cultural Heritage
Design
Fablab
Food
Green Building
Green Tech
Music
Recycling & Upcycling
Robotics
Science & Biotech
Sport
Wearables

7.2. In evaluating the projects submitted pursuant to Art. 5.1, the following criteria shall apply:

the prospective Participant must submit a functioning prototype;
the project submitted must demonstrate creativity and originality;
preference shall be given to projects that actively engage visitors and that show not only the final outcome but also the process of conception and development;
the project shall also be evaluated on the basis of its degree of novelty in relation to what may have already been exhibited in previous editions of the Event.

7.3. For the in-person component of the Event, projects shall also be evaluated in light of technical and logistical requirements and safety risks.

Art. 8 | Selection of Participants for “Maker Faire Rome 2026”

8.1. The evaluation and selection of applications shall be carried out exclusively by curators appointed by Innova Camera, who may contact prospective Participants in order to request any clarifications and/or additional information deemed necessary for evaluation purposes. The curators’ decisions shall be based on the criteria set out in Art. 7.2.

8.2. The curators’ decisions shall be final and the curators shall not be under any obligation to provide reasons for their decisions. Prospective Participants therefore waive, from the outset, any right to raise objections or challenges against the curators or the decisions adopted by them.

8.3. By 31 July 2026, or by such other date as may be announced on the Event website, acceptance of participation proposals shall be notified by email to the selected parties. Further communications shall follow regarding the agreement to be entered into between Innova Camera and the selected Participants, as well as any logistical arrangements.

8.4. Accepted proposals relating to the exhibition of projects shall give rise to the allocation of exhibition spaces, in accordance with the decisions taken by the Organiser.

8.5. In any event, the right to participate in the Event as an Exhibitor shall arise only upon execution of the relevant agreement within the deadline indicated by Innova Camera in the communication confirming selection. In the event that the selected prospective Participant fails to execute the agreement, Innova Camera reserves the right to replace it with another prospective Participant included in a waiting list prepared by the curators.

8.6. With regard to activities taking place in person, the Organiser reserves the right to place the projects selected for exhibition in the area deemed most suitable, taking into account, where possible, any indications or requests made by the selected Participant, subject to overall exhibition-space availability.

8.7. The admission of the selected Participant and the participation of the project in “Maker Faire Rome 2026” shall be free of charge, and no fee shall be payable for the use of the allocated space, except where the selected entity opts for a pre-fitted space, in which case the contribution set out in Art. 9.1 shall apply. The Participant selected for the presentation of project(s), or for talks or performances (as referred to in Art. 4.1, first, second and fourth indent), shall not be entitled to receive from the Organiser or the Promoter any remuneration or reimbursement of costs incurred in connection with participation in the Event (including, by way of example only and without limitation, in relation to in-person exhibition: costs of participation in the Event, travel or accommodation expenses, costs for raw materials, set-up costs, or the purchase of goods and services instrumental to participation). By contrast, expenses for raw materials and/or the purchase of instrumental goods strictly related to the on-site delivery of workshops referred to in Art. 4.1, third indent, shall be reimbursed upon submission of appropriate supporting documentation and up to a maximum amount agreed with the Organiser.

8.8. The Organiser reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to allow the participation of particularly innovative projects or events that make a significant contribution to the Event.

8.9. The Organiser reserves the right to position selected Participants also on the basis of territorial criteria and to customise the graphics of the allocated space with the logos of institutional project partners.

8.10. During participation in “Maker Faire Rome 2026”, the sale of the Participant’s products may be permitted in accordance with the applicable legislation in force.

Art. 9 | Allocation of Exhibition Spaces through the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026”

9.1. Each selected project shall be entitled to an exhibition space which may, at the participating entity’s option, be fitted out in one of the following ways:

Unfurnished space – the allocated area shall be provided with connectivity and electrical supply, whilst the entire fit-out, to be agreed with the Organiser, shall be borne exclusively by the participating entity.
Pre-fitted space – modular stands of 8 sq m with standard fit-out provided by the Organiser, comprising: 2 tables, 2 chairs, lighting, connectivity and electricity supply. In such case, the selected entity shall pay a lump-sum contribution by way of reimbursement of expenses equal to EUR 400.00 (four hundred euros/00) (plus VAT, if applicable) per module.

9.2. Selected Participants shall staff the stand during set-up and throughout the entire period during which the Event is open to the public. The Organiser shall provide details of the time slots during which presence at the stand is required during “Maker Faire Rome 2026”.

Art. 10 | Responsibilities of the Participant

10.1. Except where a physical exhibition space fitted out by the Organiser has been allocated, for any talks, presentations and/or performances taking place online, the selected Participant shall be responsible for identifying and setting up an appropriate space for the presentation of its project and for the delivery of presentations or performances to the public. Where such presentations and performances require recording and transmission through a platform, the space in which the recording takes place shall be equipped with a stable and adequate internet connection. The Organiser shall provide full details of the technology kit with which the selected Exhibitor must equip itself in order to ensure the minimum quality standard for connections within the virtual platform. The selected Exhibitor acknowledges that compliance with the technical requirements specified by the Organiser shall be a necessary condition for execution of the agreement.

10.2. With regard to participation in the Event in person, each Participant selected pursuant to Art. 8 shall use the premises in which the Event takes place, as well as any equipment made available by the Organiser and/or brought by the Participant themselves, with the utmost care and diligence, and shall strictly comply with any instruction issued by the Organiser — including during the Event — in order to ensure the safety and well-being of all Participants, visitors and persons present at the Event. The Participant is required to use the spaces in accordance with the directions and instructions issued from time to time by the Organiser, as well as with any other applicable legal or regulatory provision, including safety and fire-prevention rules. In any event, the Participant is required to familiarise itself with and comply with all provisions issued by the Organiser. In case of any doubt regarding the proper use of the spaces, the Participant is required to contact the Organiser, which reserves the right to prohibit any activity that is contrary to the provisions of this Article.

10.3. Under no circumstances may physical and/or virtual exhibition spaces be used:

for activities prohibited by law or otherwise contrary to public policy or morality;
for activities capable of creating a danger to property or persons present at the Event, or of obstructing or preventing the proper conduct of the Event;
for activities carried out in breach of third-party rights, including, by way of example and without limitation, trademarks, patents and copyright.

Art. 11 | General Conditions and Grounds for Exclusion from the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026”

11.1. The Organiser reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026” at any time, as well as any of its contents, aspects or selection criteria. The Organiser further reserves the exclusive right to postpone or cancel the Event, including for reasons of force majeure, and to modify, at any time, the technical arrangements adopted for the organisation of the Event (including, by way of example, the platform used).

11.2. The Organiser shall have the right, at its sole discretion, to exclude any Participant who:

breaches the provisions of these Regulations;
attempts to tamper with the participation procedure or the operation of the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026”.

11.3. In any event, the Organiser reserves the right to take such action as it deems most appropriate, in compliance with applicable laws, in order to limit and prevent any initiative aimed at circumventing or violating the selection system.

Art. 12 | Representations, Warranties and Indemnities

12.1. By accepting these Regulations upon submission of its application, each prospective Participant represents and warrants that the project submitted and all related materials (including texts, photographs, images, videos and graphics):

are original and that, in relation thereto, the prospective Participant holds the rights necessary to participate in the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026”;
do not conflict with any third-party rights, including rights relating to trademarks, patents and trade secrets, copyright, rights arising from contracts or licences, rights relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal data, moral rights, publicity rights and image rights;
are not inherently defamatory or offensive, nor do they contain any content capable of damaging the name, honour or reputation of the Organiser, of any person involved in “Maker Faire Rome 2026”, or of any third party;
do not breach applicable laws and do not contain elements intended to encourage unlawful, threatening, intimidating or harassing conduct.

12.2. Each prospective Participant and, where applicable, each Participant undertakes to fully indemnify and hold harmless the Organiser, the Promoter and the Sponsors from and against any claim, action, demand or request for compensation brought by any third party.

12.3. Without prejudice to the foregoing, by submitting an application, the prospective Participant authorises the Promoter, the Organiser and the Sponsors to:

use, for promotional and advertising purposes connected with participation in the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026”, its name, corporate name and image, as well as the name, image and identifying signs of the submitted project, including through publication on the website www.makerfairerome.eu and through other communication channels or on third-party websites, subject to the prior authorisation of Innova Camera;
make the materials relating to the project available to the public on the “Maker Faire Rome 2026” website and through other communication channels or on third-party websites, subject to the prior authorisation of Innova Camera;
exhibit the project and related materials during congresses, conferences and seminars;
communicate to third parties interested in investing in the development, commercialisation and economic exploitation of the project the information necessary for such purposes;
communicate project contents and contact details to third parties in order to ensure participation in contests and initiatives directly connected with the Event.

12.4. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Organiser shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage suffered by the Exhibitor, whether direct or indirect, arising out of or in connection with participation in the Event. Accordingly, the Participant undertakes to indemnify and hold harmless the Organiser from and against any direct or indirect damage, prejudice, loss, cost, expense (including legal fees) or sanction that the Organiser may incur as a result of any claim or action by a third party arising out of the Participant’s breach of any provision of these Regulations or the Participant’s negligent or wilful conduct.

12.5. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Organiser shall not, in any event, be liable for any damage, including, by way of example and without limitation, indirect, consequential, special or incidental damage, nor for any damage and/or anomaly arising from circumstances beyond its technical control, such as, by way of example, failures in the management of telecommunications networks, malfunctions due to defects in the means indispensable for access to the online platform on which part of the Event will take place, or any improper use thereof.

12.6. The Organiser shall not be liable for any issues arising during the online application process or in the course of the Event as a result of internet outages, maintenance works or server malfunctions. Each Participant shall be solely responsible for its own internet access.

12.7. During the Event, each Participant shall adopt all appropriate measures to safeguard its data and/or software stored on its IT equipment against any attack (for example, through the installation of antivirus software and firewalls). To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Organiser shall not be liable, inter alia, for any contamination by computer viruses or for any intrusion by third parties into the Participant’s IT equipment.

Art. 13 | Event Recordings

13.1. The Participant acknowledges that, during the Event, the Organiser or one of its commercial partners may take photographs (including screenshots) and audio-video recordings (hereinafter, the “Material”) of the Event itself and that such recordings may also feature the Participant.

13.2. The Participant undertakes to provide the Organiser with the required documentation (release form), in accordance with the terms that shall be set out in the agreement signed by the Exhibitors.

Art. 14 | Non-Exclusivity

14.1. The Organiser does not grant any exclusivity rights to Participants.

14.2. Participants therefore waive any right, claim or action based on the presence at the Event of one or more of their potential direct competitors.

Art. 15 | Intellectual Property

15.1. Intellectual property rights relating to the projects submitted shall remain vested in the Participants, who shall be fully responsible for the protection of such rights through the means provided by law for that purpose (including registration applications, patent applications and the like).

15.2. The Organiser shall not be liable in the event of any use and/or misuse of the idea or project by any person who may have become aware of it. The Participant therefore waives any and all claims for damages and/or compensation against the Organiser, on any grounds, for any reason or cause whatsoever.

15.3. The Participant accordingly acknowledges that the communication, disclosure and/or publication of its works, or parts thereof, within the framework of the Event and/or through any communication media and channels used to promote the Event itself (including after the Event has taken place), will result in such works becoming visible to all Participants in the Event and/or to the community reached by such communication activities.

Art. 16 | Effectiveness

16.1. The provisions contained in these Regulations shall take effect from the moment the application is submitted.

Art. 17 | Personal Data Protection

17.1. The Organiser processes the personal data provided by prospective Participants in the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026” in compliance with the applicable legislation on the protection of personal data, including Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Legislative Decree No. 196/2003, as amended by Legislative Decree No. 101/2018.
The processing of personal data shall take place in accordance with the methods and for the purposes described in the privacy notice made available to prospective Participants at the time of completion of the application form, and available at the following link: https://makerfairerome.eu/en/call/privacy-policy-calls/.

17.2. For the purposes of the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026”, the personal data provided by Participants may be processed, disclosed and disseminated within the limits and in accordance with the privacy notice referred to in the preceding paragraph, including by publication on the communication channels of the Event and of the parties involved in its organisation.

17.3. Participants acknowledge that, in the course of the Event, audio-video and photographic recordings may be made, in accordance with the provisions of the privacy notice.

17.4. Selected Participants who proceed to the next stage and enter into a specific agreement with the Organiser shall receive a further, specific notice regarding the processing of personal data.

Art. 18 | Governing Law and Jurisdiction

18.1. These Regulations shall be governed by Italian law. Any dispute arising in relation to the validity, effectiveness, interpretation, performance or termination of these Regulations shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Rome (Tribunale di Roma, Italy).

Art. 19 | Acceptance of the Regulations

19.1. Participation in the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026” implies, for Participants, full, unconditional and complete acceptance of all the rules and provisions contained in these Regulations, without limitation of any kind.

19.2. Should the Organiser ascertain a breach of these Regulations by a Participant, it shall have the right to order that Participant’s immediate exclusion from the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026” and from the Event.

19.3. These Regulations are drafted in Italian and in English. In the event of any discrepancy between the two versions, the Italian version shall prevail.

Art. 20 | Event Cancellation

20.1. In the event of cancellation of the Event for any reason, or of any change to its dates or venue, the Organiser shall promptly notify the Participant.

20.2. The Participant hereby waives, from the outset, any right to claim compensation for damages — including costs and any travel or accommodation expenses and other related expenses — connected with the possible cancellation of the Event or replacement of the platform, regardless of the causes or reasons giving rise thereto.

Notes
[1] State Universities, non-state non-profit universities, public research bodies or institutes and private non-profit research institutes, whether Italian or foreign, are eligible to participate in the “Call for Universities and Research Institutes 2026”.