Publication date: 5 March 2026
Deadline: 5 May 2026 (at 23:00)

The call is launched jointly by the University of Trento and Fondazione Bruno Kessler in collaboration with Hub Innovazione Trentino (HIT).

Purpose of the call: to support and valorize ideas with high innovation potential from FBK and UniTrento research, encouraging the adoption of an entrepreneurial vision to transform scientific results into applicable solutions and sustainable business models. The programme funds the development of Proofs of Concept to reduce technological risk and facilitate the creation of startups or industrial agreements.

Recipients: for the University of Trento, the role of Project Head is reserved for Full and Associate Professors, Permanent Researchers and Fixed-Term Researchers (structured staff). In addition to structured staff, doctoral students, contract researchers and technical personnel with an active role in technological development can participate as team members. Joint teams between UniTrento and FBK are highly encouraged.

Funding: the Evaluation Committee will select up to 30 projects (15 from applicants affiliated to UniTrento and 15 from applicants affiliated to FBK) that will be admitted to the coaching process. Of these, the projects that obtain a score of at least 65 points in the ranking drawn up at the end of the Pitch Day (scheduled for mid-July) will be funded, until all available resources have been allocated. 
The funding for each project is between 30,000 and 80,000 euros. 
The available resources have been provided by the Autonomous Province of Trento with support from partners such as the Trento Chamber of Commerce, Federazione Trentina della Cooperazione, Fondazione Caritro and Dolomiti Energia.

Applications: applications must be submitted by 5 May 2026 by completing the Google Form reserved to applicants from the University of Trento.