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Program overview & value proposition of the Biotech Challenge – 4th edition (A.Y. 2026/2027)
The Biotech Challenge is an initiative promoted by the Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO) at the University of Trento, organized in collaboration with the Hub Innovazione Trentino (HIT) Foundation under the PNRR iNEST project framework.
Built on the Challenge-Based Learning methodology, the program gives Master's students the opportunity to tackle a real R&D challenge posed by a life sciences company with the support of faculty members from CIBIO.
What the course offers
Teams are supported by workshops on IP and technology transfer, team building, business planning and pitching, delivered by HIT, the School of Innovation (SOI) and academic tutors. Past editions have spanned RNA biology, genomics, advanced imaging, bioinformatics and drug discovery, always starting from a question a company is genuinely trying to solve.
Timeline & key dates (2026)
- September 11, 2026 — Kick-off Meeting: The corporate partner presents its innovation challenge to the student teams.
- October 30, 2026 — Mid-term presentation: Students present two solutions to the corporate partner.
- December, 2026 — Final presentation to stakeholders
- September – December 2026 — Project Execution: Intensive teamwork, corporate mentoring sessions, literature analysis.
Supported by: PNRR iNEST Framework.