# Censis

> research institute in Italy founded in 1964

**Wikidata**: [Q2944263](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2944263)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/censis

## Summary
Censis is a research institute based in Italy that was founded in 1964. Also known as the Center for Studies in Social Investment, the organization is dedicated to conducting research and generating new knowledge. As a specialized entity, it operates distinct from universities and commercial enterprises, focusing primarily on systematic investigation within its field.

## Key Facts
*   **Founding**: Established in 1964.
*   **Location**: Italy.
*   **Type**: Research institute (organization whose primary purpose is research).
*   **Official Alias**: Center for Studies in Social Investment.
*   **Website**: http://www.censis.it/
*   **ISNI**: 0000000123533633
*   **VIAF ID**: 150808525
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n79058896
*   **Wikidata Description**: Research institute in Italy founded in 1964.

## FAQs
### Q: How does Censis differ from a university?
While universities combine teaching and academic instruction with research, Censis functions solely as a research institute. This means its primary purpose is to conduct systematic investigation and generate new knowledge rather than granting degrees or providing undergraduate education.

### Q: What is the primary purpose of Censis?
As a research institute, Censis exists specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation. Unlike think tanks, which often focus on policy-oriented research to influence government decisions, research institutes like Censis typically pursue fundamental inquiry across various disciplines.

### Q: Under what names or identifiers is Censis known?
The organization is officially known as Censis but is also aliased as the "Center for Studies in Social Investment." It is cataloged globally under various identifiers, including ISNI 0000000123533633 and VIAF ID 150808525, and is recognized by the Italian encyclopedia Treccani.

## Why It Matters
Censis represents a critical component of the Italian and global research infrastructure. As an organization dedicated purely to research, it serves as an engine of discovery free from the teaching obligations that characterize universities. By concentrating resources and talent purely on investigation, institutes like Censis accelerate breakthroughs and provide spaces where researchers can pursue long-term, high-risk projects that might not fit within corporate or academic timelines. In an era where innovation drives economic competitiveness, Censis plays a role in advancing knowledge and addressing complex societal challenges through dedicated scientific inquiry.

## Notable For
*   **Long-standing History**: Founded in 1964, distinguishing it as an established entity in the Italian research landscape.
*   **Specific Operational Focus**: Differentiated from scientific societies (which are membership-based) and think tanks (which are policy-focused), operating purely as a hands-on research organization.
*   **Global Cataloging**: Recognized by an extensive list of international library and authority systems, including the Library of Congress, the National Library of Israel, and the German National Library.
*   **Digital Presence**: Maintains an active web presence at censis.it and is documented across Wikipedia in French, Italian, and Korean.

## Body

### Organizational Definition and Classification
Censis is formally classified as a **research institute**. This classification defines it as an organization whose primary purpose is to conduct research. Unlike universities, which balance teaching and research missions, or companies that pursue research for commercial ends, Censis exists purely to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation.

The organization is identified in library cataloging systems as a specific type of research organization. It is distinguished from related concepts such as scientific societies, which are primarily membership organizations, and think tanks, which focus largely on policy influence.

### History and Location
The institute was founded in **1964** and is located in **Italy**. Its founding aligns it with the post-war era of specialized research development. The organization is also known by the alias **Center for Studies in Social Investment**, suggesting a specific focus on social dynamics and investment within its research portfolio.

### Global Authority and Identification
Censis is extensively cataloged across major international knowledge organization systems and national libraries. This widespread identification underscores its legitimacy and global recognition as a research entity.

**Key Identifiers include:**
*   **ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier)**: 0000000123533633
*   **VIAF (Virtual International Authority File)**: 150808525
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n79058896
*   **Treccani ID**: censis (referenced as 'CENSIS')
*   **German National Library (GND)**: Associated with the classification 4017909-6 for research institutes.
*   **Other Catalogs**: Includes IDs from CANTIC (981058511814706706), Freebase (/m/0nbfwrj), COBIS, INAPP, CiNii, NACSIS, and the National Library of Israel (987007585590405171).

### Digital and Network Presence
The institute maintains a digital presence at **http://www.censis.it/**. Its relevance is further evidenced by its presence on Wikipedia, where it is covered in three languages: **French, Italian, and Korean**. The entity has a sitelink count of 3, corresponding to these language editions. It is mapped to `schema.org/ResearchOrganization` for structured data purposes, reinforcing its identity as a research entity on the semantic web.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. CiNii Research
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File