PATHS: Practical Access to Transdisciplinary Hubs for Students
| Duration: | 03.11.2026 - 02.11.2027 (24 months) |
|---|---|
| Funding body: | European Union (EU) |
| Contact: | Wouter de Regt |
Vision: Bridging Education and Applied Research
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) face a growing need to better integrate students into applied research, while industry partners struggle to access student-led innovation. For students, direct application of theoretical knowledge to real-world problems is a key qualification. Bridging the gap between teaching and applied innovation is essential for enhancing employability and fostering regional innovation ecosystems.
A European consortium of HEIs is joining forces in the Practical Access to Transdisciplinary Hubs for Students“ (PATHS) project to facilitate and enhance student participation in transdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) projects. By creating a structured framework for student involvement in RDI, the project empowers students to contribute to regional smart specialization strategies while gaining critical professional skills.
Partner institutions
PATHS brings together four leading European higher education institutions that are already closely linked through the UNINOVIS European University Alliance. This strategic combination of partners makes it possible to connect different regional innovation ecosystems and bundle best practices from across Europe into a common model.
Goal: Creating Pathways into Research and Innovation
The PATHS project will realize this vision by opening new ways to integrate students into innovation. This will be achieved through the development of the following elements:
- RDI Pathways Model
A standardized framework that leverages best practices from European universities to structure the systematic involvement of students in research, development, and innovation (RDI) projects. - Digital Hub
An interactive platform and collection of tools that serves as a digital interface to connect students with real-world research projects and regional business partners. - RDI Pathway Handbook
A practical guide that documents proven methods and tools to sustainably anchor the model in the European higher education landscape and increase the employability of graduates.
European excellence, regional focus: PATHS at THWS
At THWS, PATHS strengthens the connection between teaching, research institutes, and the technology transfer centers. The aim is to bring student innovations directly into the regional economy and to qualify students as sought-after drivers of innovation. This increases the impact of regional transfer centers through impetus from young academics.
