Empower | Alinea

About Empower
From curiosity to confidence

The Empower Masterclass Series: Ideas And Opportunities equips researchers to identify and shape impactful projects. Across five interactive sessions, you’ll strengthen key competences—spotting opportunities, sparking creativity, shaping a clear vision, valuing ideas, and applying ethical, sustainable thinking. Designed to inspire action, this series helps you turn concepts into opportunities with purpose and lasting impact.

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

Programme Application Opens: Monday, 01 September 2025
Researcher Briefing: Monday, Monday, 11 September 2025
Programme Application Closes: Friday, 19 September 2025
Shortlist Announced: Monday, 22 September 2025
Masterclasses Commence: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Masterclasses Conclude: Wednesday, 29 October 2025

Programme Schedule

The Empower programme will be delivered online, in five engaging two-hour Masterclasses, each running from 10:30hrs to 12:30hrs CET on the dates below. If you’re selected, we ask that you commit to joining every session, so you can gain the full benefit of the experience.

Masterclass 01: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Masterclass 02: Wednesday, 08 October 2025
Masterclass 03: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Masterclass 04: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Masterclass 05: Wednesday, 29 October 2025

You’ll also receive a one-to-one mentoring session to guide you toward the right support and resources.

Award

Upon programme completion, fellows will receive a Certificate of Completion for 25 training hours and 1 ECTS credit.

Cohort

This programme is designed for ambitious women researchers to build entrepreneurial skills, 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 programme activities belong exclusively to them. This policy fosters an environment where researchers are encouraged to pursue innovative ideas and protect their creations.

Questions

Email A Query

From curiosity to confidence

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