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

TIM Challenge (Trust and Identity Incubator Mentorship) 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 WP5 T2 - T&I Incubator task (SMEs), GLAD, NRENs (home representative) and young professionals (participants) across Europe. The overall aim of the program it 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 home NREN, participants (and their home NREN representatives) are integrated into the work of the T&I incubator right from the start. They collaborate directly with the Incubator SMEs on the topics provided by them. On this journey, they are mentored by the Incubator experts, supported by their home NREN and GLAD. All participants are expected to present their final work or work in progress at the international event or conference advised by TIM SMEs. 

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

The expected duration of each TIM collaboration is 6 months with the two cycles per year.

The next TIM start date is Nov 12, 2019.


What is in it for the young professionals?

TIM offers participants a fantastic opporutnity to join the development of the cutting edge 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 the following benefits:

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

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
  • 6 months availability with an approximate workload of 3 days per week 
  • Excellent command of English language
  • All participants must be nominated by a 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 foster the local T&I expertise, learn from experienced SMEs and expand the portfolio of services. It is also a chance to strenghten relationships with the member institutions as well as to identify promissing young talents to join the NREN world. 

Home NREN requirements: 

  • be a member of GN4.3 project
  • be willing to faciliate and administer a paid internship based on the local HR/ legal requirements
  • be willing to host and support yound professionals locally, for example provide a working desk, helps with VC solutions and the like depending on location requirements
  • have a manpower to support TIM with a workload of 1/2 - 1 day per week based on 6 month cycle


What is in it for GLAD?

GÉeNT 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 disseminate and build T&I competencies across Europe as well as to build the workforce of the future.

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

  • mentorship skills
  • public speaking skills
  • agile software development/ SCRUM training



Focus: Design Thinking Skills, public speaking skills

The TIM Challenge (Trust and Identity Incubator Mentorship) is a new initiative which brings together ambitious young talents and subject matters experts to pioneer new ideas in the Trust and Identity Incubator[1]. TIM is a collaboration between Future Talent Programme and the GN4.3 WP5 T&I Incubator task. The 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.

  • 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


What’s included

  • Design thinking f2f workshop including travel and accommodation for students and NREN mentor
  • Practical and interactive workshops under the guidance of professional public speaking coach for all students
  • 1:1 coaching on public speaking for finalists
  • Conference travel package for finalists

Requirements student

  • This challenge is open to individual(s) who are registered on any IT & networking (related) course(s) at a university, college or learning provider and must be nominated by the operating NREN/GÉANT Project Partner
  • Participants commit themselves to the full training programme.
  • Participants opt to work in the T&I incubator via the local NREN.
  • Selected participants will sign a volunteer contract in order to present at international conference
  • High English language proficiency is required.
  • All participants are invited to share their experiences on social media.

Requirements NREN

  • NREN can subscribe to max 1 of 5 topics
  • NREN is allowed to nominate max 1 candidate per topic
  • NREN is responsible for mentorship agreement with the intern
  • NRENs must commit significant amount of time of the student to the incubator (at minimum 0.8 FTE
  • Time of the young talents may be claimed from the GEANT4-3 T&II project.

Timeline

Cycles start in August and in February

Aug - Oct

Registration and Participation

3 Mos
Nov - DecConceptualisation and Prototyping3 Mos
Dec - JunProduct Development6 Mos

How to Apply and further steps

Step 1 Select your topic and register your candidate online

Step 2 All accepted candidates will become participants of the Future Talent Programme and will receive training. Your participants takes part in the e-workshops in March and April. Dates and Programme will be confirmed to you and your participant by email.

Step 3 Allocate a mentor who will guide and support the participants

Step 4 Prepare the organisation of the internship