The European Talent Academy (ETA) is a joint initiative of TUM and its partners Imperial College London (Imperial) and Politecnico di Milano (PoliMi). It supports young research talents in developing their skills, building a network with the partners' colleagues, as well as educating participants about European research policy and funding opportunities. The Academy program is organized at TUM by the TUM Brussels Office.
Launched in 2021, the European Talent Academy goes into its fifth round in 2025. Many young talents have already profited from the program and a new cohort of up to 24 excellent fellows will be selected soon. The program is based on the following three objectives:
- Connecting a group of like-minded talent – being even stronger together: Meeting peers from different research ecosystems and working on the same topic, who bring different disciplinary approaches to a common research topic, and exchanging on their work can be a breeding ground for future collaborations. Moreover the fellows will be guided by best practice examples that are presented to them.
- Upskilling a group of young talents: the programme will offer different modules and sessions in the area of research and personal skills to further train the young researchers. Training includes tools for communicating research with different audiences, including with policy-makers, to maximise the impact of the research.
- Raising awareness of research policy and available funding opportunities: researchers are often far away from policies and governmental strategies, but research doesn’t happen independently from the global challenges we are living in, but actually for finding solutions for these challenges. The program will remind the fellows of the underlying political priorities and key strategic orientations of research policy and funding opportunities. Moreover it will provide tips and tricks to successfully apply for research funding.
Program modules and service offerings
The annual program of the European Talent Academy includes the following offerings:
- Insights into the EU funding landscape with its various funding opportunities for individuals or collaborations
- Meetings with policy makers and others associated with EU research funding - plus insights into how funding decisions are made
- Comprehensive information on how to access research funding to support career and research goals
- Training for research pitches and to strengthen communication skills
- Connecting participants with other early career researchers from Imperial, PoliMi, and TUM who are working in similar research areas through individual short stay reasearch visits
- Joint trip of the entire cohort a kick-off at on the the partner universities and for the closing event to Brussels
5th cohort: TUM, Imperial, and PoliMi
This year's call offers early-career researchers at TUM, Imperial College London, and PoliMi working in the fields of water and food for healthy, resilient societies the chance to connect and collaborate across disciplines.
The 2025 Academy program will kick off virtually on February 27 and includes essential visits to London (March 19 - 21) and Milan (June 17 - 19). The closing workshop is taking place at TUM (November 12 - 14).
Between these dates, fellows will be offered various online modules in the areas of research and soft skills, and individual research visits to other fellows are planned. We look forward to receiving your application.
For more details, please read the Call for applications, and, in case of questions, do not hesitate to contact Astrid Sloth Kristensen.
4th cohort: TUM, Imperial, and PoliMi
This year's call provides early-career researchers at TUM, Imperial and PoliMi working in one or more of the areas climate, energy and mobility for a sustainable society the opportunity to meet each other across disciplines.
The 2024 Academy program will kick off virtually on February 27 and includes essential visits to London (March 19 - 20) and Milan (June 26 - 28). The closing workshop is taking place at TUM (October 22 - 24).
Between these dates, fellows will be offered various online modules in the areas of research and soft skills, and individual research visits to other fellows are planned.
For more details, please read the Call for applications, and, in case of questions, do not hesitate to contact Tiffany Paulisch.
3rd cohort: TUM, Imperial, and PoliMi
There will be another edition of the European Talent Academy in 2023, this time with a more extensive program. Under the scientific topic Striving for life-long health in Europe: Strategies and technologies for a healthier society, five to seven fellowships will be available per partner.
The 2023 Academy program will kick off in Milan, March 29 - 31, and conclude with a closing workshop in Brussels, October 18 - 20. Between the two dates, fellows will be offered various online modules in the areas of research and soft skills, and individual research visits to other fellows are planned.
For more details, please read the Call for Applications or contact Maria-Valerie Schegk.
2nd cohort: TUM, Imperial, and PoliMi
Topic: Artificial Intelligence as a key enabling technology to empower society? A European approach on excellence and trust to boost research
Number of participants: 23
Modules (virtual and physical):
- Kick-off
- Nurturing Individual Talent: From ERC to MSCA
- Collaborative Research: Getting connected to Europe
- From successful project management to pitching your research right
1st cohort: TUM and Imperial
Topic: Climate change and energy research post Covid-19 – can the European Commission’s Green Deal deliver the right support to the research community?
Number of participants: 18
Modules (all virtual):
- Kick-off
- Nurturing Individual Talent: From ERC to EIC
- Collaborative Research: Getting connected to Europe
- Workshop: Pitching your research