The school comprehensively face the various challenges in the EIT Raw Materials found e.g. in primary resources, substitution and recycling. PhD candidates usually act as individuals on tasks that have already a well-defined research line but are not necessary connected to the challenges and opportunities of the market. The value of new ideas is not fully perceived and the interdependence of market needs with research focus is still missing. Our aim is to educate the students leveraging on this. Technical skills, know-how and personal creativity will have to be shared in a team competition to propose innovative solutions to real problems in the Raw Materials field. After a technical re-fresher used as levelling stage, tutoring and mentoring in the I&E component will help to provide students with a different perspective: from spectators to actors, ready to present their ideas in a quick and effective way to capture the business opportunities hidden in the real world.
How to Apply
With respect to traditional Summer schools, TOP STARS 2019 combines focus-lectures of academics and practitioners, project work, field and usability tests, customer validation work, field visits and socializing events. Focus is put on harmonizing the technical capacities with soft-skills such as: business project work, team building, (personal) networking, cultural exchange, knowledge on interaction between ethics and society and creation of a global awareness of societal and business trends.
The Summer school is open to PhD students, Master students on the last year of their course of study and young researchers. PhD candidates that will be enrolled before the start of the school, can also participate.
Due to the generous contribution of EIT Raw Materials, the participation to the event is free of charge for the selected students. Moreover, a grant covering travel expenses (up to 300 Euros, according to the modalities that will be communicated to the selected students) and hotel accommodation (double rooms, two persons per room, handled and paid by the school), will be available to all selected students that meet the reimbursement criteria of the EU H2020 programme. A total of 40 participants will be selected on a merit basis. Should one of the selected candidates give up, the next candidate in the shortlist will be given the possibility to participate, until all available positions are filled or the shortlist is exhausted. Potential candidates are requested to fill out the application form and to provide any relevant documentation. The documents to be included in the application are:
Academic career (mandatory)
CV (maximum of two A4 pages) (mandatory)
A motivation letter (why the participant wishes to be part of the Winter School and what are the expectations)
Qualification certificates relevant to the topic and to the EIT Raw Materials initiative (optional)
Copy of your Identity card (front and back) or of the first page (identification page) of the Passport (mandatory)
Any other documents such as letter(s) of support from supervisor/peers or English language proficiency certification will be considered by the Committee as preferential titles.
Call for application
Deadlines
Given the high number of requests and the opportunity to encourage the participation of all potential people interested in TOP STARS 2019 Summer School - InnovaTion Challenge fOr PhD STudents And ReSearchers, which will be held in Trento from 8 to 17 of July 2019, the term for registration is extended until May 7, 2019.
March 5, 2019: call for applications opens
April 30, 2019: deadline for application - extended to May 7, 2019
May 11, 2019: confirmation of places to selected participants - extended to May 20, 2019
May 18, 2019: confirmation of participation by selected students - extended to May 27, 2019
Learn from the Best
Sustainability
Substitution
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Recycling
Innovation
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Primary Resources
Entrepreneurship
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Raw Materials
Circular Economy
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TOP STARS 2019 offers to PhD students and young researchers a chance to consider the respective research projects more on an innovation and market-oriented focus contributing in this way to interconnect research and societal challenges, which have to be considered as business opportunities. PhD students and young researchers will have the chance to have an I&E perspective, becoming not only valuable researchers but potential entrepreneurs by combining the technical expertise with innovation and entrepreneurship experience. The Summer School will introduce students to entrepreneurial thinking and behavior, business and innovation processes, high-tech ventures marketing and business model generation techniques.
The Scientific Committee
Matteo Leoni Prof. Matteo Leoni is Associate professor at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering of the University of Trento. Expertise both on well behaving nanostructured systems (size distribution, shape, defects) and on more complex systems showing layering, interlayering or domain structure. Prof. Leoni is the Project Coordinator of the Summer School. Massimo Pellizzari Prof. Massimo Pellizzari is Associate professor and Coordinator of of the Master's Degree in Materials and Production Engineering at the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento. Prof. Pellizzari is Chair of the Summer School. |
Alessandro PegorettiProf. Alessandro Pegoretti currently works as Full professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento. Prof. Pegoretti does research in Materials Engineering and is Co-Chair of the Summer School. Katerina Adam Prof. Katerina Adam is Associate professor at NTUA. She has coordinated/participated in 46 funded research projects, and UNDP mine reclamation studies in the SW Balkans. She participated in drafting EU and Greek legislation on Environmental Permitting and Mine Waste. Her Research interest lies on Project & Environmental Management, Sustainable Development of Natural Resources, Reclamation of old mine sites, Health and Safety. |
Gert GuriAn enthusiastic and dedicated multi lingual professional with extensive experience in public information, civil society, operational framework of state institutions and security issues within challenging environments. Proven in institutional development activities from initial definition of intervention scope through to the development, design and integration of initiatives.
Bart Blanpain Prof. Bart Blanpain is a metallurgist and materials scientist, specialised in developing sustainable high-temperature metals processes. He is Full professor at the Faculty of Engineering Science at KU Leuven and Head of the Sustainable Metals Processing and Recycling Unit. |
Spend 10 days in Trento
Trentino benefits of its geographical position as a culture node rich of history, cultural differences and natural beauty, with its castles, archaeological sites, sanctuaries and the wonderful lakes of the Dolomites. The journey through the castles is a fascinating itinerary between fortresses and ramparts, immersed in vineyards and located in strategic positions, a unique opportunity to get to know the history of this valley, an ancient boundary line and the passageway between Italy and Central Europe. Its unique geographical position makes the area a natural production and technology platform for international business and an ideal trading hub between southern and continental Europe.
With a safe urban environment offering many cultural activities,set in an attractive natural environment, with good professional opportunities, an excellent education system and an efficient health service, Trento is one of the top Italian cities to live. The cultural and social life is enriched by numerous conferences, meetings, exhibitions, traditional costume festivals, typical markets, historical events, international festivals, theatrical, musical and dancing sessions. These events usually take place both in theatres and in the city centre.
Trento in Italy is sometimes referred to as "The Painted City" in reference to the many exquisite frescoes on the outer walls of many of the city centre buildings. The beautiful, historic centre and dramatic environs are an artist's paradise and there is as much culture, heritage and natural beauty as people living in Trento could wish for. Trento is the City of the Council of Trento that preserves and protects the historical meeting point between Italian and Mitteleuropean culture within its monuments and arts. In fact, the breathtakingly beautiful mountain city is something of a meeting point between Italian and Germanic cultures, with a pastiche of architectural styles. With more than 100.000 inhabitants, Trento is a university city and hosts advanced research centres in addition to renowned international cultural institutions.
Trentino also offers a wide range of activities, excursions and the chance to do many sports, it is the ideal natural framework for sport-lovers who enjoy to exercise in the great outdoors (for example, a 90-km-cycling path connects the northern and the southern part of Trentino). Along the ancient Roman road Claudia Augusta you can cycle from Trento to Borghetto, not far from the Province of Verona; numerous cliffs to test concentration and technique, easy pitches for beginners and more challenging routes for experts, cliffs and vie ferrate for excitement indoors and out. The larger lakes are ideal for water sport activities, and when winter comes, the skiing season opens, a combination of breath-taking views and comfortable, ultra-modern ski-lifts that cover 800 km of pistes.
With a safe urban environment offering many cultural activities,set in an attractive natural environment, with good professional opportunities, an excellent education system and an efficient health service, Trento is one of the top Italian cities to live. The cultural and social life is enriched by numerous conferences, meetings, exhibitions, traditional costume festivals, typical markets, historical events, international festivals, theatrical, musical and dancing sessions. These events usually take place both in theatres and in the city centre.
Trento in Italy is sometimes referred to as "The Painted City" in reference to the many exquisite frescoes on the outer walls of many of the city centre buildings. The beautiful, historic centre and dramatic environs are an artist's paradise and there is as much culture, heritage and natural beauty as people living in Trento could wish for. Trento is the City of the Council of Trento that preserves and protects the historical meeting point between Italian and Mitteleuropean culture within its monuments and arts. In fact, the breathtakingly beautiful mountain city is something of a meeting point between Italian and Germanic cultures, with a pastiche of architectural styles. With more than 100.000 inhabitants, Trento is a university city and hosts advanced research centres in addition to renowned international cultural institutions.
Trentino also offers a wide range of activities, excursions and the chance to do many sports, it is the ideal natural framework for sport-lovers who enjoy to exercise in the great outdoors (for example, a 90-km-cycling path connects the northern and the southern part of Trentino). Along the ancient Roman road Claudia Augusta you can cycle from Trento to Borghetto, not far from the Province of Verona; numerous cliffs to test concentration and technique, easy pitches for beginners and more challenging routes for experts, cliffs and vie ferrate for excitement indoors and out. The larger lakes are ideal for water sport activities, and when winter comes, the skiing season opens, a combination of breath-taking views and comfortable, ultra-modern ski-lifts that cover 800 km of pistes.