Mesagne, Italy, July 2026: Missione CRA, the training program designed for anyone looking to learn about and pursue a career in clinical research, celebrates the conclusion of its 90th edition.
The milestone reflects thirteen years of activity, growth, and engagement with thousands of graduates, young professionals, and industry operators interested in understanding how clinical trials work and the career opportunities connected to them.
Founded in 2013 from an idea by Stefano Lagravinese — a professional active in clinical research since 2004 and Scientific Director of ClinOpsHub — Missione CRA was developed to meet a concrete need: closing the gap between academic preparation and the skills required to start working in the industry.
The first editions were held in 2013 in partnership with the CRO Yghea, in Bologna and Mesagne. In 2014, thanks to growing interest in the project, classes were extended to Milan and Rome as well.
In 2019, following ClinOpsHub’s certification as a CRO, the program further strengthened the link between training and professional practice. Since 2020, Missione CRA has also been available online, allowing participation from anywhere in Italy and giving participants the flexibility to balance study with work, personal, and family commitments.
The online format, however, has not eliminated the hands-on component. Participants can take part in live training activities on-site at the company, engage with the different departments of a CRO, and get a closer look at the processes involved in managing a clinical trial.
Missione CRA: a Community of Over 2,500 Participants
In thirteen years, Missione CRA has trained more than 2,500 people from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, including Medicine, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Nursing Sciences, and other Life Sciences disciplines.
Over time, the project has evolved from a course focused primarily on the role of Clinical Research Associate (CRA) into a broader training and career-guidance program. Alongside the CRA role, the program now also explores related figures such as Clinical Trial Assistant, Study Coordinator, Clinical Research Coordinator, Clinical Start-Up Associate, Data Manager, Quality Assurance GCP, and Auditor.
This evolution reflects one of the program’s core principles: clinical research is not built around a single role, but around an interconnected system of professional figures, skills, and complementary responsibilities.
Missione CRA: training Built by Industry Professionals
Missione CRA is now part of ClinOpsHub’s Learning Division and involves trainers from CROs, pharmaceutical companies, clinical trial sites, and other organizations active in clinical research.
The program covers the topics set out in the Italian Ministerial Decree of 15 November 2011, including clinical trial methodology, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), pharmacovigilance, quality systems, regulatory affairs, and monitoring.
Alongside theoretical training, the program includes workshops, simulations, document analysis, and project work focused on key monitoring visits, together with practical activities designed to familiarize participants with the situations, documents, and tools they will encounter in their future professional experience. The program also includes activities dedicated to resume writing, professional communication, and job-market orientation.
The final certificate, issued in English by two Italian CROs, attests to the training hours completed and the topics covered.
Looking Ahead to Future Editions
The conclusion of the 90th edition marks a new milestone in the journey that began in 2013.
“Missione CRA was created to bridge the gap between university and the working world, and it continues to evolve to offer not only technical knowledge, but also guidance, method, and professional awareness. This milestone belongs to all the participants, trainers, and professionals who have contributed to the growth of the project.”
Stefano Lagravinese, Founder of Missione CRA and Scientific Director of ClinOpsHub
With its 90th edition, Missione CRA renews its commitment to training the future professionals of clinical research.
