UU Innovation Idea Exploration Programme
As a researcher, you have the potential to drive positive change in society through innovation. Whether it's sustainable transportation, enhancing citizen participation, tackling mental health challenges, or something completely different, your research can make a difference. Join UU Innovation's Idea Exploration Programme to explore the innovative potential within your research.
Gain insights into your innovative idea
This programme is designed for you who want to explore the potential of an innovative idea based on your research. You don't need prior experience in idea development—we'll take the first steps together.
You'll learn how to examine your idea from different angles to define its value for your intended users or customers. You'll also discover how to present your idea in a way that captivates your audience.
By participating, you'll connect with fellow researchers across the University, and gain access to the creative perspectives and insights of UU Innovation's team of advisors. You'll get individual feedback on your idea as you progress through the programme.
If you're eager to continue working on your idea after the programme concludes, we offer the opportunity to apply for funding of up to 50,000 SEK to further evaluate your concept.
Get a focused start
This programme is ideal for those who want to kickstart their idea development journey and prefer to do so alongside others. Additionally, it appeals to those who see value in getting a focused start.
Our personalised guidance is always available, allowing you to reach out whenever you need assistance in getting started. If you prefer to take things at your own pace right from the beginning, our individual counselling option may be a better fit for you.
If you have any questions or uncertainties about which option suits you best, please feel free to get in touch with us!
In this short video, Hillevi Englund, business advisor at UU Innovation, talks about the Idea Exploration Programme and the reasons for applying.
The video also includes film clips from one of the programme's seminars.
To enable English captions, go to settings.
Programme details and application, Campus Gotland, autumn 2024
Programme includes: Four seminars. Independent work between sessions with personalised feedback from UU Innovation advisors. Estimated total time commitment: approximately 10 hours.
Dates, time and location: 18 September (on-site), 25 September (online), 2 October (online) and 9 October (on-site).
The first and last seminars are one-site meetings at Campus Gotland and run for 1,5 hours, between 08:30-10:00. Breakfast will be served. The second and third seminars are held online over Zoom and run for 1 hour, between 8:30-09:30.
Cost: The programme is free of charge.
Limited spots: The programme accommodates 12 participants.
Who can apply? Researchers and students at Uppsala University - Campus Gotland who want to explore the potential of their idea.
After the programme: By the end of the programme, you'll have enhanced your understanding of the initial steps in the idea development process and gained insights into your idea's potential value for your intended users or customers. Additionally, you'll have a better grasp of how your idea needs to evolve—from being an exciting research outcome to a practical solution. You'll also be aware of the support available from UU Innovation and have the opportunity to apply for up to 50,000 SEK in funding to continue developing your idea.
Application: Application deadline is 6 September.
Programme details and application, Uppsala, November 2024
Programme includes: Three breakfast seminars. Independent work between sessions with personalised feedback from UU Innovation advisors. Estimated total time commitment: approximately 10 hours.
Dates, time and location: 6 November, 13 November and 20 November.
All seminars run from 08:30-10:00 and take place at UU Innovation's premises, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 38 in Uppsala Science Park. Breakfast will be served from 08.15.
Cost: The programme is free of charge.
Limited spots: The programme accommodates 12 participants.
Who can apply? Researchers at Uppsala University, Dalarna University and the University of Gävle (from doctoral candidates to professors) who want to explore the potential of their idea.
After the programme: By the end of the programme, you'll have enhanced your understanding of the initial steps in the idea development process and gained insights into your idea's potential value for your intended users or customers. Additionally, you'll have a better grasp of how your idea needs to evolve—from being an exciting research outcome to a practical solution. You'll also be aware of the support available from UU Innovation and have the opportunity to apply for up to 50,000 SEK in funding to continue developing your idea.
Application: Application deadline is 23 October.
Perspectives on the programme
Maria Vrettou and Natalia Calvo Barajas
In the initial stages, you truly need a push and hands-on guidance. The programme facilitates a smoother start to your innovation process and helps with motivation to continue working on your idea. It's about establishing a plan and understanding how to progress with your idea.
Maria Vrettou, a researcher in Women’s and Children’s Health, and Natalia Calvo Barajas, a researcher in Information Technology, teamed up for the 2023 Idea Exploration Programme.
Zekeriya Kazanci
When I came to UU Innovation, I had this idea of a board game to practice Turkish but I didn’t know what to do, how to develop this. I was not even sure about my game. Does it have a chance to be in the market? I’m a researcher. I know how to write a research paper, but developing an idea for innovation is something completely different. That’s why I strongly suggest researchers have an appointment with UU Innovation and also join their Idea Exploration Programme. In this programme, you can put your ideas in a well-structured frame so you can see if your idea is worth chasing after or not. The programme was really good in that sense, and throughout, I was constantly in contact with my advisor at UU Innovation, who followed the stepwise progress of my idea.
Zekeriya Kazanci is a Lecturer of Turkish Language at the Department of Linguistics and Philology. He participated in the Idea Exploration Programme in the autumn of 2023.
Nima Rafati
Ideas, much like seeds, require cultivation. Without a deep understanding of the principles guiding their growth, these seeds of thought may struggle to flourish. Therefore, acquiring the right knowledge and principles becomes pivotal in nurturing these ideas.
In the Idea Exploration Programme, participants were equipped with fundamental principles for evaluating business ideas. This programme proved immensely beneficial, offering concise yet comprehensive content that laid a solid foundation for grasping the essence of exploring business ideas. The short and impactful morning sessions, combined with breakfast and tea, created a friendly atmosphere. This setting encouraged active engagement, allowing participants to learn, inquire, and interact not only with the lecturer but also with other UU Innovation staff. I firmly believe this programme is invaluable for anyone seeking to delve deeper into exploring their ideas.
Nima Rafati, Bioinformatician at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology. Participated in the Idea Exploration Programme in 2023.
Programme overview
We'll start by guiding you through the process of identifying the needs your innovative idea addresses. Who would benefit from your solution? We'll help you define your target audience and understand their problems and needs. This analysis will enable you to better assess whether your idea has the potential to fulfill a genuine need for your audience.
This will be followed by delving into the alternatives you need to compare with and potentially surpass. How does your audience currently address their challenges? We'll explore existing options, their costs, advantages, and disadvantages to thoroughly understand the alternatives to your idea. This understanding will provide insights into how your idea can stand out and offer something unique.
Now that you have insights into the problem you aim to solve and the available alternatives, it's time to focus on your own solution. How can you tailor your solution to better meet the needs? How can you highlight its advantages? What is needed to craft a compelling solution? We'll also discuss ways to communicate your idea effectively to engage various audiences.
Finally, it's time to focus on presentation and future outlook. You'll have the opportunity to practice presenting your idea based on the structure we've worked on and the information you've gathered. Constructive feedback will guide you forward! As you contemplate your plans for your idea and the necessary next steps, we'll also discuss the possibility of applying for funding of up to 50,000 SEK to further develop your idea. Moreover, we'll introduce the opportunity to join our mentor programme as a means to enhance both your idea and your network beyond academia. To conclude the Idea Exploration Programme, we'll have a special guest share insights into their work and the strategic steps they've taken to translate research findings into an innovative solution.
Apply to join the Idea Exploration Programme this autumn!
This autumn we are running two rounds of the Idea Exploration Programme, one on Campus Gotland and one in Uppsala.
Are you interested in participating in the idea development programme on Campus Gotland? Then apply no later than 6 September.
Link to the application for the Idea Exploration Programme, Campus Gotland
Are you interested to join the Idea Exploration Programme in Uppsala? Apply no later than 23 October.
Link to the application for the Idea Exploration Programme, Uppsala (opens on 3 June)
After application, one of UU Innovation's advisors will contact you to discuss the idea you would like to develop.
Keep in mind that you can reach out to us anytime to get started with developing your idea! We offer individual counselling throughout the year.
Contact us
If you have questions about the programme or want to discuss an idea, please email us at innovation@uu.se