EIT Empower – Ideas & Opportunities

Resources

About Empower
From curiosity to confidence

The Empower: Resources Masterclass Series supports women researchers to turn ideas into impact by making strategic use of the resources already within reach—and confidently accessing those still needed. Through five key competences—self-belief, motivation and resilience, resource mobilisation, financial understanding, and engaging others—the series strengthens confidence, adaptability, and influence. It highlights that creating value in research and innovation is not about having everything in place from the start, but about working creatively with constraints and building the support needed to move ideas forward.

Empower is…

a five-week programme, for women researchers;

who are curious about learning about entrepreneurship;

delivered in a weekly two-hour online masterclass format;

free of charge; and

qualifying for further commercialisation and entrepreneurship training.

Criteria & Benefits

Participant Criteria

This opportunity is open to:

Any female researcher;
At the Postgraduate Researcher (Master’s) Doctoral Researcher, Postdoctoral Researcher / Research Fellow; Research Associate, Research Scientist / Senior Researcher, Principal Investigator, Lecturer / Assistant Professor, Senior Lecturer / Associate Professor, Professor, Research Director / Head of Research levels;
From any sector or discipline;
Affiliated with a regional college, research center, or university.
Affiliated with any Research Performing Organisation within the European Union.

Benefits of Participation

Advantages of involvement:

Develop entrepreneurial skills and learn to turn research ideas into impactful projects.
Strengthen competences in creativity, opportunity-spotting, and ethical, sustainable thinking.
Participate in a flexible, fully online five-week masterclass series free of charge.
Access further commercialisation and entrepreneurship training opportunities.
Build networks with women researchers across disciplines and institutions across Europe.
Gain confidence and empowerment to lead purpose-driven research initiatives.

Programme Details

Key Programme Dates

Program Application Opens: Wednesday, 04 February 2026
Researcher Briefing: Thursday, 12 February 2026
Program Application Closes: Friday, 20 February 2026
Shortlist Announced: Monday, 23 February 2026
Masterclasses Commence: Monday, 02 March 2026
Masterclasses Conclude: Monday, 30 March 2026

Programme Schedule

The program will be delivered online through five engaging 2.5-hour masterclasses, each running from 10:30 to 13:00 CET on the dates listed below. Participants who are selected will be invited to sign the Program Charter and commit to attending all sessions in order to gain the full benefit of the experience.

Masterclass 01: Monday, March 02, 2026
Masterclass 02: Monday, March 09, 2026
Masterclass 03: Monday, March 16, 2026
Masterclass 04: Monday, March 23, 2026
Masterclass 05: Monday, March 30, 2026

At the end of the program, you will also receive a one-to-one mentoring session, providing tailored guidance to help you identify the right support and resources for your next steps.

Award

Upon completion of the program, Fellows will receive a Certificate of Completion recognizing 25 training hours and 1 ECTS credit.

Cohort

This program is designed for ambitious women researchers across the EU to build entrepreneurial competence, transform ideas into action, and connect with inspiring peers across disciplines. With only 40 places available, this is your chance to lead with confidence and make your mark.

Cost

Your place in Empower is fully funded by the EIT-Higher Education Initiative TRI-CREATES—meaning there’s no cost to you.

Intellectual Property

All IP resides with the researcher and academic institution. This means that any innovations, discoveries, or creations made before or during the Empower program activities belong exclusively to them. This policy fosters an environment where researchers are encouraged to pursue innovative ideas and protect their creations.

Questions

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From curiosity to confidence

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