The Institute stems from the Reale Istituto Nazionale, created by Napoleon for the Kingdom of Italy in 1810, and then endorsed by Ferdinand I, Emperor of Austria in 1838..
The Institute accounts for 290 fellows, divided in two Classes (Class of Sciences and Class of Humanities); each Class is made of fellows (soci effettivi), corresponding fellows (soci corrispondenti), foreign fellows (soci stranieri) and honorary fellows (soci onorari). Fellows are formally appointed by the Ministry of Cultural Affaires after been elected by the Assembly of the soci effettivi.
The Institute’s activities include monthly academic meetings (adunanze), where fellows present their studies. The Institute also regularly promotes meetings, conferences, seminars and Schools on Sciences, Humanities and Art. In addition, the Institute promotes scientific collaborative projects in partnership with national and international Academies, Universities and Research Centres.
“I am delighted of being elected as a new foreign member of the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere e Arti, who has been one of the most important Italian learned societies for the last 200 years, and has and continues to promote exciting cultural initiatives in the heart of Venice”. Professor Giampietro Schiavo (Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology)