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Applications now open for the Technology Transfer, Application & Innovation Workshop 2020

13/12/2019 6349 views 6 likes
ESA / Education / ESA Academy

Are you a highly motivated university student in engineering, science or business administration with a keen interest in technology and innovation? The ESA Education Office invites 30 students to participate in the second edition of the ESA Academy’s Technology Transfer, Application & Innovation Workshop. 

Students pitching their project during the 2018 Workshop
Students pitching their project during the 2018 Workshop

Developed in close collaboration with the ESA Space Solutions Initiative, it will be held from 24-27 March 2020 at ESA Academy’s Training & Learning Facility in ESEC-Galaxia, Transinne, Belgium.

Technologies and satellite systems developed by the space industry help our everyday lives on Earth. Satellite systems are part of the way we communicate, navigate and benefit from location-based services. Space technologies are being used to improve health care, water recovery, waste management and more, and also in highly specialised fields such as sports and risk management. Technology transfer and the application of our space assets need people with creative flair and vision, skills that this workshop aims to develop. 

Delivered by ESA specialists and external experts from start-ups and industry, participants will be exposed to the near-infinite possibilities of technology transfer and application in their essential role of innovation. There are many opportunities for entrepreneurs wanting the challenge of developing new products! 

During the workshop, participating students will learn through various lectures about different disciplines within the field of Technology Transfer, Application & Innovation, including patenting, entrepreneurship, and business incubation. This is not a strictly academic course though, as focus will be given to hands-on experiences. Group assignments will see students taking a real ESA patent and brainstorming potential application ideas, and developing a business model around it. At the end of the week, students will follow in the footsteps of real entrepreneurs by pitching their ideas. 

Draft schedule

 Day 1   Introduction to Technology Transfer, Application & Innovation
 Introduction to Patenting
 Group Assignment 1: From Fiction to Reality
 Day 2   Technology Transfer Programmes
 Technology Applications
 Practical case examples
 ESEC-Redu Visit
 Group Assignment 2: From Patent to Applications
 Day 3   Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation
 New Ventures and Business Model Canvas
 Start-up, from idea to business
 Group Assignment 3: From Application to Business 
 Day 4   Group Assignment 4: Technology Transfer Workshop
 Final Presentations

Who can apply?

For the second edition of this workshop, ESA would like to invite 6 business students to join the 24 engineering and scientific students to work together on the group assignments and complement each other’s knowledge.

In order to participate, students must fulfil the following criteria at the time of application: 

  • be aged between 18 and 32;
  • be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Canada and Slovenia;
  • be enrolled as a full-time student in a university (not graduating before the workshop); 
  • be studying for an engineering or science degree at Bachelor (at least 3rd year), Master, or PhD level or for a business administration degree at Master or PhD level. 

Students enrolled in a scientific degree should have a clear focus on applied sciences.

The selected students will be sponsored by ESA. The sponsorship will cover accommodation and meals, as well as up to 200 euros for travelling to Belgium.

How to apply

  • Fill in the application form;
  • Upload a motivation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, no images);
  • Upload a CV (Europass format, PDF, maximum 2 pages);
  • Upload a formal recommendation letter (PDF, maximum 1 page, including signature, no images) from a university professor or academic supervisor of current university;
  • Upload a copy of academic records (PDF, in English, with the university stamp).

All answers and documents should be in English (except academic records if not available).

The deadline for applications is 12 February 2020. 

For more information, please contact tlp@esa.int

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ESA Academy’s Technology Transfer & Innovation Workshop
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