The Integrative Think Tank bridges the gap between complex industry problems and academic research, fostering innovation and developing future talent.
What is the ITT?
The ITT is a five-day challenge workshop with two industrial partners. Participants and experts from the companies work together to investigate R&D topics related to current developments in these companies.
What is the goal of the event?
The goal of the event is to formulate research topics as thesis project outlines (PhD or Master). After the event, the university and the partner companies join forces to convert the project outlines into actual research projects.
Who can participate?
The ITT is open to Master’s students, PhD candidates, and Postdocs at 4EU+ member universities. You should have a solid background in mathematics and computer science/machine learning. Typically, participants work in the STEM subjects, but economics, law, or the social sciences are also possible. The ITT is most successful if participants from various fields work together to analyze the challenges.
Travel support is available to selected participants of 4EU+ universities.
Impressions of the previous year
In 2025 an ITT took place at the Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing in Heidelberg. See the recap video on YouTube.
What are the benefits?
- insights into hot topics in R&D departments
- direct contact with companies for internships, practicals, or later employment
- Certificate of participation over 2 ECTS
- Possibility of using the resulting research questions for a thesis, dissertation, or other research project
The ITT is co-funded by SCAI, the MSCA Doctoral Network AIPHY and the 4EU+ University Alliance.