SPARC (Sorgente Pulsata e Amplificata di Radiazione Coerente), proposed by a collaboration among ENEA - INFN - CNR - Universita` di Roma Tor Vergata - INFM - ST, is a high gain FEL project aimed at developing a source of visible and VUV radiation exploiting SASE mechanisms. The project was recently funded by the Italian Government. The aim of the project is to promote an R&D activity oriented to the development of a coherent ultra-brilliant X-ray source in Italy (SPARX proposal). The SPARC collaboration identified a program based on two main issues: the generation of ultra-high peak brightness electron beams and experimental study of SASE-FEL process with generation of resonant higher harmonics.