European Inventor NetworkOverview

https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/european-inventor-award/european-inventor-network

European Inventor Network

European Inventor Network

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The European Inventor Network aims to awaken a lifelong passion for innovation and creativity among younger generations.

Just as we are responsible for leaving a safe and sustainable world to our children, they are the ones who will shape the planet in decades to come. At this crucial period in the history of humankind, it is vital to pay it forward, to equip young people with the knowledge they will need when they become the planet's custodians. Innovation will be essential to their mission.

Through the European Inventor Network, we aim to empower young people to unleash their creativity and discover the wonders of science and technology. Inspired and equipped with knowledge, the next generation can begin to pave the way to a brighter future for all.

The Network's members are inventors and inspiring personalities, making them ideal role models to show school children and students that innovation, in all its form, is for everyone.

To reach this objective, the Network will financially support the Network members for implementing activities to inspire young generations and encourage creativity among children in schools and teenagers in secondary education. Members may propose any activity they feel will spur a long-term interest in technical fields (STEM) and foster an entrepreneurship mindset ("call for inspiring activities" step).

An internal selection committee will select the activities and grant EUR 2 000, EUR 4 000 or EUR 6 000 based on the impact and outreach of the selected activities.

The European Inventor Network members will implement and report on the activities within a predefined timeframe.

Form for proposing inspiring activities (deadline to submit: 12.07.2024)

Activities granted in 2023Activities granted in 2024

Rules and criteria

Eligibility criteria

The European Inventor Network consists mainly of former finalists and/or winners of the European Inventor Award and the Young Inventors Prize.  In addition, proposals for new members, submitted via National Patent Offices, shall also be considered

Submission of activities

In early 2025, the next call for inspiring activities will be launched.

Type of activities to be proposed

Any activity which can spur in school kids/young teens a long-term interest in the relationship between innovation, science, technology, engineering and math studies (STEM) and its close connect with entrepreneurship can be proposed. Priority will be given to activities targeted at primary and secondary schools. The material costs can not exceed the amount of the grant (ex: for a grant of €2000 the material costs cannot exceed €2000). The focus of the activities could be for instance be on:

  • focus on innovation/entrepreneurship,
  • emerging technologies,
  • success stories

If possible, the activity should preferably demonstrate a link to one of the 17 UN SDGs.

Selection committee and evaluation criteria

An EPO internal selection committee whose role is to select the activities for which a payment will be granted by the network will review all the proposals submitted by the alumni.

The evaluation will be based on the following criteria: the impact and outreach, relevance and pedagogical content, target audience of the proposed activities. Furthermore, diversity in terms of geographical coverage, gender and targeted audience for the proposed activities will be considered by the internal selection committee.

Funding

The Network will fund the activities which have been selected by the internal selection committee, granting to the selected Network member EUR 6 000, EUR 4 000 or EUR 2 000 (depending on the impact of the activities) for implementing the activities.

These grants should cover the preparation and implementation costs.

Travel/subsistence/material costs (if any) will be paid on top of the grant upon receipt of proof once the activity has been implemented. 

The amount of travel + subsistence + material costs cannot exceed the amount of the grant.

Contractual agreement

The members whose proposed activity has been selected will be asked to sign a legally binding agreement in which they agree to implement the activity and to refund the payment if the activity is not implemented before the end of the activity program.

Reporting on the activity

After the completion of the activity, the members should provide:

  • a short report on the event,
  • a confirmation from the school/university where the activity took place,
  • A video and photographs from the event for use on the EPO's social media (ex: photograph of the inventor posing next to the schools emblem at their entrance, an inventor writing on a board, set up of a science experiment, etc...). The videos and pictures should only display students whose parents have signed a consent form. This form will be provided by the European Inventor Network team to the Network member.
Data protection

Protecting your privacy is of the utmost importance to the European Patent Office (EPO). We are committed to protecting your personal data and ensuring respect for data subjects' rights when performing our tasks and providing our services. All data of a personal nature that identify you directly or indirectly will be processed lawfully, fairly and with due care.

The processing operations described below are subject to the EPO Data Protection Rules (European Inventor Network data protection statement).

Liability

The alumni shall abstain from any act, and in particular, any public expression of opening which may reflect on the dignity of the European Patent Office or which may pose a risk to or compromise the reputation and interests of the European Patent Organisation.

The EPO is not held accountable for the opinions and views expressed by the alumni during the implementation of the activities.

Publicity, communication, and dissemination

All grants awarded will be published on the EPO's internet site.

The EPO may identify good practices and prepare relevant dissemination materials to be shared within and throughout all participating alumni.

FAQ

Who can be member of the European Inventor Network?

The European Inventor Network consists mainly of former finalists and/or winners of the European Inventor Award and the Young Inventors Prize.  In addition, proposals for new members, submitted via National Patent Offices, shall also be considered

Why should I propose an activity?

The members of the European Inventor Network are a role model for the next generation of inventors. Their journeys make you an excellent ambassador to encourage an entrepreneurial mindset. 

Can I propose more than one activity?

In view of the success of the European Inventor Network program, one school activity per member can be submitted. In exceptional cases, more shall also be considered.

Who should carry out the activity?

If your proposal is selected, you will be the one responsible for implementing the activity.

Who is the target audience?

The activity should be addressed to: primary school children (6 years old to 12 years old), secondary school teenagers (12 years old to 18 years old).

When should the activity take place?

The activity should be implemented between 1.1.2025 and 31.12.2025.

Is there available material to support me in my activity?

The EPO can supply existing videos or presentations if needed (especially the videos of the European Inventor Award).

However, we encourage you to organise your activity based on your own material.

Where should the activity take place?

The activity should take place in a contracting state of the European Patent Convention. Within these states, activities may be hosted at any primary or secondary school.

Can members team up to propose an activity?

Yes, several alumni can team up and implement an activity together.

How and when will the Network financially support the activity?

The Network will award grants of EUR 2 000, EUR 4 000 or EUR 6 000 depending on the impact of the activities. The selection committee decides on the grant’s amount based on the relevance, pedagogical content, outreach, target and age of the audience. The grants, which cover the preparatory and implementation time, will be paid once the activity has been implemented. The travel/subsistence/material costs, if any, will be paid on top of the grant upon receipt of proofs of payment once the activity has been implemented. The total amount of travel + subsistence + material costs cannot exceed the total amount of the grant.

Will the information about the activity be publicly available?

Yes, the report on the activity including video/photographs will be posted on the EPO’s website, intranet and on the social media channels of the EPO.

 

The European Inventor Network in videos and podcasts

Inspiring youth all across Europe

Inventors share the power of science and innovation with young audiences

Curiosity, courage and the European Inventor Network