The Winter School is planned as a joint blended intensive programme organised by the University of Bonn, Reykjavík University and Radboud University. The programme will focus on how neurotechnology research, clinical problems and scientific ideas can be translated into concrete use cases, collaboration pathways and innovation opportunities. Rather than being a classical start-up school only, the format will explore different routes towards real-world impact, including start-up creation, licensing, industry collaboration, clinical translation, public-sector use and further R&D.
Participants will work in interdisciplinary teams on either their own research ideas or challenge-based tasks provided by industry partners, Associated Partners, clinical partners or research groups. The programme will combine online preparation, in-depth workshops, mentoring, founder and investor perspectives, transfer support, responsible innovation and final team pitches.
Planned thematic elements include:
- research-to-use-case development,
- stakeholder and need analysis,
- Lean Canvas and transfer pathway design,
- science-based entrepreneurship,
- IP, funding and investor readiness,
- challenge-based innovation,
- responsible innovation in neurotechnology,
- final pitch development and expert feedback.
Programme:
- Mon: research-to-use-case framing;
- Tue: user needs/value proposition;
- Wed: Lean Canvas, transfer pathways and IP;
- Thu: funding, investor readiness and responsible innovation;
- Fri: pitch development, final pitches and follow-up.
Target group: advanced Master’s students, PhD candidates, postdocs
Timelines: Online preparation and team formation: approx. 2-3 weeks before the event. Physical Winter School: 23-27 Nov 2026.
Funding:
For this opportunity, Master’s students are eligible to receive a NeurotechEU grant. As a student, you can receive this allowance once per degree level (Bachelor’s and Master’s). To obtain this funding, Master’s students must complete an Erasmus+ application procedure. More information about the required steps and documentation will be shared with the selected participants.
If selected, PhD candidates and postdocs have the possibility to apply for an Erasmus staff grant, with the support of NeurotechEU.
