For the purposes of the initial accreditation of universities, ANVUR has established specific evaluation protocols. The Agency relies on the activities of Evaluation Expert Commissions (CEV), tasked with issuing an assessment based on the examination of the project submitted by the proposing entity. In the case of a positive preliminary evaluation, the CEV proceeds with an on-site visit to assess the adequacy of the university’s facilities and premises.

The main phases of the evaluation procedure are as follows:

1. Submission of the application
   The entity proposing the establishment of a new university submits the application and the required documentation via an online platform of the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR). The Ministry grants ANVUR access to the application and the entire documentation dossier to initiate the evaluation process.
    
2. Appointment of the Evaluation Expert Commission (CEV)
   The ANVUR Governing Board (CD) appoints a CEV responsible for evaluating the application. The CEV is composed of a Chairperson, system experts, disciplinary experts, student representatives, and financial sustainability experts.
    
3. Document analysis and preliminary evaluation
   The CEV assesses the application by examining the dossier submitted by the proposing entity. The documentation is first analyzed individually by the CEV members and then subjected to a collective evaluation.
    
4. Opinion of the Governing Board
   The Governing Board reviews the CEV’s Report and the documentation submitted by the proposing entity and issues its opinion.
   • In case of a negative opinion, the entire documentation is sent to the MUR.
   • In case of a positive opinion, ANVUR informs the MUR and instructs the CEV to proceed with the second phase of the evaluation, scheduling the on-site visit.. 
      
5. Counterarguments
   If ANVUR issues a preliminary negative report, the proposing entity has the opportunity to submit counterarguments.
    
6. Transmission and avaluation of counterarguments
   ANVUR forwards any counterarguments to the CEV, which considers them in the preparation of the final report.
    
7. Opinion of the Governing Board
   The Governing Board reviews the CEV’s Report and the counterarguments submitted by the proposing entity and issues its opinion.
   • In case of a final negative opinion, the documentation is sent to the MUR, and the application is considered rejected without proceeding to the on-site visit. The MUR then communicates the decision to the proposing entity.
   • In case of a positive opinion, ANVUR informs the MUR and instructs the CEV to proceed with the second phase of the evaluation, scheduling the on-site visit. 
      
8. On-site visit and post-visit evaluation
   During the visit, the logistical, financial, and scientific sustainability of the proposal is further examined and verified. The CEV conducts a collegial evaluation of the proposal, integrating the findings that emerge during the on-site visit. The Governing Board reviews the report and issues its opinion.
    
9. Final Opinion of the Governing Board
   ANVUR's opinion is sent to the MUR along with the CEV’s Report.
    
10. MUR decision and publication of the evaluation
    In accordance with ANVUR’s opinion, the MUR formally adopts the accreditation/non-accreditation decision for the new university. ANVUR publishes the final CEV Report and its opinion on its website.
11. The latest evaluation protocol adopted by the Agency was approved in 2020.
     

The latest evaluation protocol adopted by the Agency was approved in 2020.