NGI Explorers is the program to launch Europe’s best Internet talent into technology Expeditions to the United Stated, catalyzing the impact of their disruptive ideas
 
 

NGI EXPLORERS’ AWARDS CEREMONY

On the 2nd February 2022, the NGI Explorer team celebrated the end of its fellowship program with an award ceremony to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its Explorers. The program was a great success within its purpose of bridging, expanding, and sustaining a cross-continent Research and Innovation collaboration with the USA.

 
 
 
EXCEED YOUR LIMITS
BECOME THE BEST
 
 

The program to launch European Researchers and Innovators into Technology Expeditions to the USA

 
 
 

3 or 5-month

Expedition to the US

100%

Sponsorship Plan

Mentorship

Program

 
 

Our Explorers will gain the skills and build the networks to transform the Next Generation Internet

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The program

 

NGI Explorers provides Europe's Top researchers and innovators an immersive experience in the United States

 
 
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3 or 5-Month
missions to the US

Work directly with a US partner to accelerate your project


 
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100%
Sponsorship Plan

Financial support to cover your expenses


 
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Mentorship
Program

A coach will give direct support throughout the expedition


 
 

Acceleration

The expeditions will be complemented with a portfolio of services to boost the roll-out of disruptive products.

 

→ Pre-Immersion Week

Before heading to the US, Explorers will gather in a location in Europe (tentatively London, Porto or Barcelona) to receive several masterclasses on the NGI Vision, introduction to business development and modelling, pitch training, concepts on Lean Startup methodology, marketing communication, American culture and way-of-living… but most importantly, this will be an extraordinary opportunity for the participants to meet each other and start building up relationships.

 

→ Mentoring

Explorers will always be assigned a coach to give direct support and spur them throughout the expedition. The mentor will be the direct link between the Explorer and the program and will have the responsibility to guide, provide feedback, motivate, understand and challenge the Explorer.

 
 

→ Business Development

Opportunities for public and private funding schemes and business development will be created for the most promising ideas.

 

→ Competition

Become the best among the best! The program will recognize the Top Explorers at the end of each batch with an Awards Ceremony - the NGI Oscars.

 
 

Focus Areas

 

Next Generation Internet is a concept that involves a broad spectrum of emerging technologies. A list of technological trends that will thoroughly reshape the Internet over the next 10-15 years.

The following Focus Areas have been defined in alignment with the vision of the European Commission. Applicants are encouraged to match their ideas with one or several of these topics.

 
 
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Application options

 

Participants will have the flexibility to choose among 3 different collaboration schemes. All ideas must fall under one or several Focus Areas defined in the Next Generation Internet

 
 
 
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Open Ideas

Applicants can submit a
proposal around their ideas, products and services. The program will find the best US node to boost it.

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Challenge

Applicants can submit a proposal
to a challenge defined by a US Node,
taking into consideration their specific priorities for collaboration

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Paired Teams

Applicants can submit a
proposal to advance their ideas along with a specific US partner of their organization

 
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Eligibility

 

Applicants must be employees of a European “legal entity” (limited to: startups, SMEs, mid-caps, research centres or academia) under the European Commission regulations.

A successful applicant must fall under one of the following categories:

 
 
 

Researchers

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Innovators

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Candidate requirements

 
  • A valid passport holder
  • An employee of a European/H2020 associated countries/OCT (1) legal entity under the EC regulations (2)
  • A top researcher and/or innovator in any of the NGI Focus Areas
  • Proficiency in English, both written and spoken
  • Eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa

All selected applicants will sign a sub-grantee agreement between the individual, the NGI Explorers Program and the European organization they are employees at.

(1) OCT stands for Overseas Countries and Territories linked to EU Member States.
(2) Limited to: universities, research centres, mid-caps, SMEs and startups.

 
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Selection Criteria

 
 

The program will follow a rigorous selection process to select only exceptional candidates, coming from a range of industry backgrounds and specialties.

Applications will be evaluated by external experts. The selection criteria will be based on 3 main aspects:

 
 
 
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Excellence
of the candidate

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Quality
of the project

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Impact
of the idea

 
 
 

Success for us means to facilitate the best possible match between an Explorer’s profile and the specific challenge position at US Node - a win-win situation for all parties involved.
 

 
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Contact Us

 
 

By filling out this form, you consent being contacted by the NGI Explorers team about your enquiry. NGI Explorers will only contact you about your enquiry (not for any other purpose) and will store your data securely.

 
 
 
 
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