Focus: T&I, agile software development, idea prototyping, public speaking skills, mentorship

TIM Challenge (Trust and Identity Incubator Mentorship) Programme is an initiative that brings together ambitious young minds and GN4.3 T&I subject matters experts to pioneer and prototype new ideas in the Trust and Identity field.

TIM is a collaboration between GN4.3 subject experts (SME's and also known as content mentors) of WP5 T2 - T&I Incubator task (SMEs), GLAD, NRENs (home representativementors) and young professionals (participants) across Europe. The overall aim of the program it to contribute to deliver a viable and sustainable pipeline of T&I products and services for the GN4.3 project and ultimately, for the European NREN community.

Nominated by their local NRENshome NREN, the participants are plug-in to (and their home mentors) are integrated into the work of the T&I incubator team working incubator right from the start. They collaborate directly with the its Incubator SMEs on the topics provided by the IncubatorSME's. On this journey, they are mentored by the Incubator experts and the local home NREN representatives, as well as guided to the next stage of their professional development with the help of GLAD trainings on public speaking and agile software development, and supported by GLAD. All participants are expected to present their final work or work in progress at the international event or conference suggested advised by TIM SMEs. 

TIM takes place in the form of the a paid internship where  where the participating NRENs and young professionals get reimbured reimbursed for the time dedicated to the collaboration with the T&I Incubator. The process of reimbursed and rates are defined by the financial rules of GN4.3 project.

The expected duration of each TIM collaboration programme cycle is 6 months with the two cycles per year.The next TIM start date is Nov 12, 2019.. The important dates and deadlines of the process can be found below.

What is in it for the young professionals?

TIM offers participants a fantastic opporutnity opportunity to join the development of the cutting edge technological solutions in the field of computer networking with a strong focus on Trust & Identity. It is a a unique learning and professional development opportunity that offers participants the following benefits:

• a paid professional internship (can be combined with the thesis writing)
• networking opportunities with the wide range of SME SMEs working in computer networks and NRENs
• training and skills development in the fields of public speaking and agile software development (SCRUM)

Participants Participant requirements are:

• last year BA, Master's or PhD level students in the fields of Computer Science, Engineering or other technology related fields with the interest in computer networks
• Availability for 6months period 6 months availability with an approximate workload of 3 days per week 
• Excellent command of English language
• All participants must be nominated by a participating organisation of GN4.3 project (home NREN)

What is in it for the home NRENs?

TIM strengthens collaboration across European NRENs in developing new T&I products and services. It is an opportunity to build up foster the local T&I expertise, learn from experienced SMEs and expand the portfolio of user services. It is also a chance to strenghten strengthen relationships with the member institutions as well as to identify promissing promising young talents to join the NREN world. 

Home NREN requirements:   

• be a member of GN4.3 project
• be willing to faciliate facilitate and administer a pain paid internship based on the local HR/ legal requirements
• be willing to host and support yound professionals locally, for example mentor participants locally (for example, be a sounding board to the experience, provide a working desk, helps with VC solutions and the like depending on location requirementsspace, introduce to the home NREN and NREN world in general)
• have a manpower availability to support TIM participants with an approximate a workload of 1/2 - 1 day per week week based on month cycle

What is in it for GLAD?

GEANT GÉANT Learning and Development team (GLAD) is passionate about building, diversifying and strengthening capabilities of European NREN community. With the help of TIM, we hope to spreach out disseminate and build T&I competencies across Europe as well as to build the workforce of the future.

How will it take place?

program aims to deliver max 2 incubation projects per year as well as promote collaboration between NRENs and young talents in the community. TIM runs two times per year (2 cycles of 6 months) and starts in February and in August.

and it delivers a closer

In course of TIM, GLAD is also committed to deliver the following skills to the TIM participants and mentors:

• mentorship skills
• public speaking skills
• agile software development/ SCRUM training
• Young talents nominated by the NREN collaborate in (TIM) teams with a mission to solve a Trust and Identity challenge
• Competing (TIM) teams conceptualise and prototype their most innovative ideas with ongoing coaching and guidance from T&I experts
• Two prototypes will be selected for the T&I incubator by an expert panel
• During a 5-6 months internship one consolidated TIM team collaborate to develop the prototype into a product or service