Doctoral Training

We offer a systematic approach to raise awareness in the world of higher education and research, with the aim of promoting the development of a mindset that is increasingly open to new entrepreneurial initiatives and ready to seize the opportunities arising from knowledge transfer processes.

To this end, we are promoting a range of activities aimed at developing strategic skills, with the goal of training the researchers and inventors of tomorrow’s technologies and the leaders of new high-tech entrepreneurial initiatives. We are also launching education programmes and awareness events within the entire Trentino research and innovation ecosystem, dedicated to Ph.D. students.

From Research to Business: a knowledge transfer approach

From Research to Business: a knowledge transfer approach (R2B) is a program for Ph.D. students intending to reflect on the value of their research work in the market. Specifically, at the end of the course, those who participate will be able to understand:

• the value of their research project in a market;
• the strategic role of intellectual property and other intangible assets in their research project and future professional scenarios;
• how to plan and develop new entrepreneurial and intra-entrepreneurial projects in different contexts.

2026 Editions

Classes will be from Monday to Friday, from  10:00 to 12:30 and from 13:30 to 16:00 @ HIT Foundation, Piazza Manci 17 Povo, Trento

FIRST EDITION – If your research is mainly focused on Smart Industry (all fields) and  ICT and Digital Transformation (all fields), Digital humanities, Ethics, Law and Responsible Innovation, the course will take place from 26th to -30th January 2026. DEADLINE January 19th. We are also interested in other research topics!

SECOND EDITION – If your research is mainly focused on Sustainability Circular economy, Health, Food and Lifestyle, Biotech,  Ethics, Law and Responsible Innovation, the classes will take place from 25th  to 29th May. DEADLINE May 18th. We are also interested in other research topics!

REGISTER HERE

If you are doing your PhD in collaboration with FEM, please contact 

Elisabetta Perini: elisabetta.perini@fmach.it.We have a R2B@FEM special edition for you!

If you are doing your PhD in collaboration with FBK, please contact

Claudia Dolci: dolci@fbk.eu. We have a R2B@FBK special edition for you! 

Who is it for and how does it work?

The program is aimed at doctoral students of the University of Trento and local research foundations, and it is in collaboration with the university’s departments and doctoral courses. It lasts 25 hours and it is held in English.

General objectives

The course aims to equip Ph.D. participants with the knowledge, tools, and mindset needed to transform research results into value through effective knowledge transfer. Throughout the program, participants will:

• Explore emerging trends and innovation dynamics, learning how to position their research within evolving scientific, technological, and market contexts;
• Develop skills to identify and articulate the value of research outcomes, deepening their understanding of technology propositions, intellectual property, and pathways for research application;
• Engage with industry collaboration models to understand how research can generate value through partnerships, co-creation, and entrepreneurial initiatives;
• Gain insights into funding and valorization opportunities, including public and private mechanisms that support innovation, research transfer, and the creation of new ventures.

Methods

The teaching methods are mainly based on active learning. Therefore, alongside the traditional presentation of content, real-life experiences and case studies are introduced by researchers, entrepreneurs, managers of local and/or international companies. Lessons, discussions, individual and group work, practical activities and games are all combined.

Past Editions

From 2020 onwards, 17 editions of R2B have been organized so far, involving more than 250 participants, mainly from the Departments of Information Engineering and Information Science (DISI), Industrial Engineering (DII), Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM), the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (C3A), Mathematics, Psichology and Cognitive Science (DIPSCO), Economics and Management and Physics.

At each edition, at least 2 professionals from the world of business and industrial research were invited.

Contacts

For further information, please contact Milena Bigatto: milena.bigatto@trentinoinnovation.eu