From the iron and steel of our railway networks, required for transporting people and goods, to the gold and silver used in the circuitry of mobile phones, needed for transmitting information, materials are vital for modern life. Materials are also crucial for the transformation to an economy that emits fewer greenhouse gases. Electric vehicles need cobalt and lithium for rechargeable Li-ion batteries, photovoltaics and solar panels rely on silicon, and gearless wind turbines require rare earth elements to generate renewable energy.
Materials are also finite. Smart, circular, resource-efficient ways to secure the supply of primary and secondary materials for the European industry and economy are in demand. We need people with the right knowledge, skills and attitudes to pioneer this transition. Our EIT Labelled programmes prepare students to be part of the solution!
EIT RawMaterials is able to offer students a unique opportunity to learn in a dynamic environment, focusing on real-life challenges.
EIT RawMaterials is initiated and funded by the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), a body of the European Union. The EIT Label is a certificate of quality that is awarded only to excellent educational programmes at the Master and Doctoral level.
As a student of an EIT RawMaterials Labelled programme, you’ll be part of the largest European raw materials partnership – with more than 120 core and associate partners and 180 project partners from over 22 European countries coming from higher education, research institutions and industry. As an EIT Label student, you will have the opportunity to become part of this committed partnership as well as champion and contribute to the EIT RawMaterials objective of finding new, innovative solutions to secure the sustainable supply of raw materials across the value chain – from exploration, mining and extraction, to mineral processing, recycling and developing circular economy strategies.
EIT RawMaterials aims to raise a new generation of innovators in Europe equipped with the necessary entrepreneurial mindset for designing and delivering solutions. You’ll also get the chance to collaborate internationally to develop creative and sustainable solutions to pressing resource and societal challenges.
In short, it’s a great opportunity to become a global game-changer, obtain the knowledge, skills and experience employers are seeking out in future graduates, and become part of the RawMaterials Academy Label student community.
EIT RawMaterials Labelled programmes offer you
- Thesis internship placements at leading European companies
- The knowledge to become an expert in a particular raw materials discipline, coupled with an overview of the entire raw materials value chain
- European mobility – study in at least two European countries
- Innovative ‘learning-by-doing’, challenge-based courses which focus on real-life problems
- Membership of the EIT Label Alumni Community
- Courses designed to nurture start-up ideas at accelerators and incubators
- Study tours and site visits to companies and industrial sites
- New ways of learning – online courses, virtual and augmented reality and MOOCs
- Course modules dedicated to entrepreneurship and innovation skills and competencies
- EIT RawMaterials Innovation support: business plan competitions, innovation bootcamps, seed funding
- EIT RawMaterials summer schools and interdisciplinary courses
Financial support for students
The RawMaterials Academy offers scholarships of up to EUR 9,000 per student who wishes to pursue a master’s programme, with additional financial support for student involvement in conferences, summer schools and other events. Further scholarship opportunities are available for selected programmes through national or European funding bodies.
EIT RawMaterials Alumni Association
A major benefit of studying an EIT RawMaterials labelled programme is membership of the exclusive EIT RawMaterials Alumni Association. This brings together participants from the full range of EIT RawMaterials activities, including master’s and PhD programmes, start-ups, business idea competitions and professional development courses. The Association draws on the diverse talent and experience within the EIT RawMaterials community to give its members networking and professional development opportunities not only within raw materials but also by providing links, through EIT, to the wider EIT Alumni. This brings together colleagues from the Raw Materials, Climate, InnoEnergy, Digital, Food and Health innovation communities to develop innovative solutions to societal challenges, and support the professional development of its members.