Many PhD candidates want to make an impact, hence the reason for pursuing a PhD. This leads to academic progress, but don’t you sometimes wonder: what could I create from this research and knowledge to make real-world societal impact? In the PhD Valorisation Program we help you to apply your knowledge in practice, having a positive societal impact as a result.
We use the potential of your research and help you create a service, tool, method, or business that will make a positive impact on society.
The PhD Valorisation Program is a high pace, action-focused program where experienced trainers help you apply (relevant parts of) your research in practice to create maximum societal value. We do this step by step through a ‘learning by doing’ approach. The program starts with an introduction to the world of valorisation in three on-campus workshops. After the introductory course, you will be divided into two groups according to the valorisation track, your specialization, you want to pursue, either by pursuing science to policy or building an impactful business. The specialization track contains an additional four on-campus workshops.
In between sessions, your homework is to develop your valorisation project further. YOu do this with the support of yourTHRIVE coaches that are available for support. Let’s say, the next key component of your valorisation track is collecting feedback from potential users on your idea. Your homework would be to find three people who give feedback on your idea. This way, you will learn what it means to put your impact into practice in real-time.
We go from thinking about impact to doing impact.
that help you to make your impact ambitions become reality; and
through which you can maximize your positive impact on society through your PhD research; and
with relevant actors that help you put your ideas into practice; and
by either creating an impactful business or by translating your research insights to policy interventions
As a PhD candidate, you are very talented when it comes to elaborate writing, swiftly finding relevant information, and creating new knowledge. However, there are also some valorisation-skills that you may need help with, think of writing convincingly (instead of elaborately and academically), presenting yourself to various stakeholders, creating clear solutions, selling your ideas to others, making actual sales, concept development, and more.
The Valorisation Program focuses on adding skills to your existing skill set that will boost your ability to realize your ambitions. These skills will also help you in your professional career, inside or outside academia.
You will create a research-driven ‘impact proposition’ for a tangible service, product, toolkit, company, blog, or any other ‘product’ that fits your ambition. We help you to make your big and abstract impact wishes, into concrete products with which you can storm the world. We are going to make it as clear as we can, because clarity is important when trying to find partners and collaborators. Your impact proposition offers a blueprint for your valorisation endeavors, which you will further develop during the specialization track of the course.
Having a relevant network is important for making a positive impact. In almost every case you need people that help you land your impact proposition. We help you to build a relevant network around your ambition. Think of people that can give feedback on your idea from an expert perspective, set up collaborations with interesting companies, or find potential clients. It all depends on your idea and belief. We focus on identifying the right people, getting in contact, and telling your convincing story.
This specialization track is an exciting opportunity for you to deepen your knowledge and skills in a specific area of interest. Choosing between either building an impactful business or focusing on evidence-based policy, will allow you to tailor your research insights to align with your impact aspirations. This track will allow you to become an expert in your chosen niche. You will gain hands-on experience that will give you a headstart inside or outside academia.
The program lasts approximately four months. Every two to three weeks you will participate in a two-hour workshop on campus at Tilburg University. In total, you will participate in eight workshops.
The first three workshops will introduce you to the world of valorisation. You will join a cohort of up to 20 participants for two-hour sessions held every two weeks, where you’ll learn the fundamentals and essential practices of valorisation.
In the second half of the program, you will focus on your chosen specialization. Working in smaller groups of five to ten participants, you’ll translate your research into practical valorisation tools. Between sessions, you’ll complete homework and collaborate with coaches to enhance your learning and apply your insights effectively.
At the program’s kick-out session, you’ll reconvene with the initial group to present your project. This final session will be an opportunity to showcase your work to your peers and an audience from within the university. You will also receive your Valorisation Program certificate, signed by the KTO of Tilburg University and THRIVE Institute.
The first three workshops focus on a valorisation crash course during which, you will:
The introduction into the valorisation track includes a maximum of 20 participants. After the first month of the program, you have defined the vehicle for change you will focus on to develop further in your chosen specialization track.
We personalize your valorisation endeavours to match your passions and interests in the specialization track of the program. In four dynamic workshops, we’ll create a learning experience that is aligned with your chosen specialization. You’ll dive into your interests, sharpen your skills, and make a real impact.
Building an impactful business
In this specialization track, you will embark on an exciting journey toward building a thriving (non-profit) business. Our comprehensive approach goes beyond teaching; we guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your business idea starts taking shape both during and after the program. You will acquire essential knowledge and tools to craft a business strategy designed to make a meaningful impact, and you’ll learn how to present your unique personal brand to the world.
Science to policy
If you’re eager to influence policy and explore the world of evidence-based policy, the science to policy track is the perfect fit for you. This track will immerse you in the principles of evidence-based policy while equipping you with the language and skills needed to effectively communicate with, advize or land your knowledge at governmental agencies at various levels. You’ll develop a strategic approach, learn how to position yourself, and create and live your personal brand.
If neither of these two specialization tracks resonate with you, we kindly ask you to mention this in your application letter. This way we can work together to find a suitable way to make your aspired valorisation journey feasible.
You will participate in eight workshops in total, where we focus on different steps of translating your research into impact. Each workshop is scheduled between 13:00-15:00 at the campus of Tilburg University.
Delve into the world of valorisation, learning in complexity and vehicles for change that excel societal challenges.
Define your purpose and the impact your impact proposition n endeavors.
Start building your valorisation network by learning how to contact and maintain meaningful industry connections.
During the next four sessions, the group will be subdivided according to two specialization areas, namely building an impactful business and science to policy track. Each workshop is scheduled to take place from 13.00 – 15.00h at Tilburg University.
Explore different sources of funding and legal structures for setting up your business. We will look at best practices, but also start to take concrete actions to gain funding.
Align your valorisation efforts with your target group, while sharpening your business model accordingly.
Focus on positioning and sharpening your strategy while balancing profit and impact at the same time.
Develop your personal brand centered around your purpose and your valorisation project.
Explore the world of policy making and evidence-based policy and take the first steps you will need to take to apply knowledge into practice.
Learn about the intricacies of conveying your valorisation efforts to various target audiences.
Develop your strategy and the team of people you will need to get on board to help excel your valorisation project.
Create your personal brand and your unique narrative that translates your research into an engaging and accessible story for diverse audiences.
This session will be your time to shine and present all your hard work to the rest of your program peers and colleagues at the university. The kick-out will prove to be an inspiring session to embrace your personal brand and present your valorisation project. At the end of the session, you will receive your program certificate, and you will have time to network and connect.
Along the way, you will meet and work with several THRIVE-coaches, experienced in the field of valorisation, (social) innovation, (social) entrepreneurship, and concept development. THRIVE has a track record in working and setting up collaborations with companies such as Coca Cola European Partners, the municipality of Rotterdam, RVO, KPN, ABN AMRO, the Dutch Climate Research Initiative (KIN), social enterprises and more.
The program is heavily action and result oriented. In former Valorisation Programs participants delivered to the following impact results:
You have a motivation to make societal impact;
You want to get to concrete results through the program;
You are in the starting phase of valorisation. We can help you best if you are in the starting phase with your ambition, meaning that you are still looking for the best way to do so;
You are available to be present during the scheduled workshop dates (refer to workshop dates above).
Applicants that are too advanced in their valorisation process (when they have already undertaken the steps that we will take during the program), are not eligible for the program, but can be referred to other programs/departments that can help them further.
The program is offered through a scholarship provided by the Knowledge Transfer Office and Graduate Schools at the University of Tilburg. This means that if you are selected, the program is free of charge for participants that are selected and meet the application criteria.
You are required to attend at least seven out of the eight workshops and manage a workload of 8-10 hours per month. This time commitment includes attending program sessions, working on your own project, or participating in coaching sessions.
To apply, please send your CV and motivation to Isabelle Hommes at hommes@thriveinstitute.nl end-of-day Thursday, October 3rd, 2024.
After sending your application documents, you will be contacted by the THRIVE program manager. If you are eligible for the program, we will get back to you within a few days to schedule your intake meeting. If the class is full, we will close applications. We follow a first-come-first-serve principle, and have a maximum availability of 20 spots in the program.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact hommes@thriveinstitute.nl
THRIVE Institute is a think tank for societal impact. Driven by the belief that knowledge is the key ingredient for innovation with impact, we offer learning and innovation programs for researchers that revolve around learning in practice together with relevant stakeholders.
The THRIVE PhD Academy was founded for and by PhD researchers and is continuously being optimized with feedback from alumni from industry, government, and academia. Within the THRIVE PhD Academy, more than 250 PhD researchers and postdocs have been trained to apply their knowledge and skills to help solve societal issues. The goal of the academy is to prepare young researchers for impactful careers whether they stay in academia or not.
The academy offers a variety of programs that focus both on enhancing PhD strengths while acknowledging weaknesses. The programs focus on developing the skills and mindset often lacking under doctoral candidates, such as:
In the THRIVE PhD Academy, we combine this skills set with PhD’s superpowers, such as analytical thinking and absorbing complex information fast, to help PhD candidates excel both inside and outside academia.
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