Open Innovation Challenge
IP4OS Open Innovation Challenge
The IP4OS Open Innovation Challenge (OIC) invites multi-professional teams across Europe to develop innovative solutions at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Open Science, and Intellectual Property management.
The challenge is part of the IP4OS project, a Horizon Europe initiative supporting research organisations in implementing effective knowledge valorisation strategies through a concerted Intellectual Property–Open Science (IP–OS) approach.
Through the IP4OS Learning Labs and associated activities, professionals from different domains collaborate to explore how research outputs can be shared openly, protected where necessary, and translated into societal and economic impact.
The Open Innovation Challenge provides an opportunity to apply these approaches in practice by developing a concept for an AI-enabled solution addressing a real-world challenge.
What is the Open Innovation Challenge?
The IP4OS Open Innovation Challenge invites teams to identify a real-world scientific or societal problem and propose a solution that demonstrates how Artificial Intelligence, Open Science practices, and Intellectual Property strategies can work together to generate impact.
Participants are encouraged to address challenges relevant to their local, institutional, or societal context, such as:
- environmental monitoring
- healthcare or disease detection
- research data accessibility and reuse
- education and digital inclusion
- public sector innovation.
The goal is not to develop a fully implemented technology, but to design a conceptual solution that integrates technical innovation with responsible knowledge management and valorisation strategies.
Who can participate?
The challenge is open to multi-professional teams that combine different areas of expertise related to research and innovation.
Teams must:
- consist of at least 3 members
- be formed prior to application
- bring together complementary perspectives relevant to the challenge
Teams may include:
- researchers or academics
- innovators and entrepreneurs
- AI developers or data scientists
- knowledge and technology transfer professionals
- intellectual property specialists
- open science ambassadors or librarians
- data stewards or research data managers
- research managers or policy experts
- students or early-career professionals.
Teams that combine different professional perspectives are particularly encouraged, as this reflects the collaborative approach promoted by the IP4OS project.
Participation paths
The Open Innovation challenge invites existing multi-professional teams and encourages the formation of new ones:
1. Existing teams
These teams participated in the IP4OS Pilot Learning Labs and explored how research organisations can implement a concerted IP–OS strategy for powerful Knowledge Valorisation pathways. They are invited to take part in the challenge and to translate the insights and collaboration models developed during the Pilot Learning Labs into a concrete innovation concept.
2. External teams
The challenge is also open to teams outside the IP4OS Pilot Learning Labs who wish to contribute innovative ideas at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Open Science, and Intellectual Property under a concerted IP–OS approach.
Participation requires applying as a pre-formed team of at least 3 members. Given the timeline of the challenge, IP4OS does not provide matchmaking or team-building services. Interested parties are encouraged to assemble a team that brings together diverse research and innovation expertise relevant to the challenge.
External teams should demonstrate:
- a multi-professional composition or clear interdisciplinary approach
- awareness of Intellectual Property, Open Science, and knowledge valorisation aspects
- the ability to integrate these perspectives into their proposed solution
Challenge requirements
All participating teams are asked to develop a concept addressing a real-world challenge through an AI-enabled solution developed within a concerted Intellectual Property–Open Science approach.
Teams should address the following elements:
1. Design an Open Solution
Design a solution to address the identified problem, ensuring that the data, models, and results used or generated are shared openly, in accordance with Open Science practices and FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
2. Assess Intellectual Property Aspects
Identify any potential Intellectual Property (IP) issues related to the proposed solution. This may include considerations related to:
- datasets and data ownership
- algorithms or AI models
- software and digital tools
- licensing options or protection strategies.
Teams should demonstrate how Intellectual Property and Open Science can be balanced in a responsible and strategic way.
3. Develop a Knowledge Valorisation Plan
Propose a knowledge valorisation strategy explaining how the open solution could generate scientific, societal, or economic value.
Possible pathways may include:
- open innovation collaborations
- open licensing approaches
- industry partnerships
- policy uptake or public sector implementation.
Challenge deliverables
Each participating team will submit the following materials:
Written report (maximum 5 pages)
The report should include:
- Problem description and local context
- Overview of the proposed AI-powered solution
- Application of Open Science principles
- Basic Intellectual Property assessment
- Knowledge valorisation strategy
Video pitch
Teams must also submit a 3-minute video pitch presenting:
- the challenge addressed
- the proposed solution
- the expected impact and value of the project.
Evaluation process
Submissions will be evaluated by a jury composed of representatives from the IP4OS consortium partners, ensuring expertise across:
- Intellectual Property
- Open Science
- Knowledge Valorisation
- Research management and innovation policy.
Evaluation criteria include:
- relevance and clarity of the identified problem
- integration of Open Science and IP considerations
- creativity and feasibility of the proposed solution
- strength of the knowledge valorisation strategy
- quality of interdisciplinary collaboration within the team.
Why participate?
The Open Innovation Challenge offers participants the opportunity to:
- apply IP4OS methods and tools in a practical context
- collaborate with experts across disciplines
- gain visibility within the European research and innovation ecosystem
- contribute ideas to ongoing European discussions on Open Science, Intellectual Property, and knowledge valorisation.
Selected teams will have the opportunity to present their ideas at the IP4OS Final Policy Event at the European Parliament in Brussels in October 2026.
The event will take place in the European policy environment and bring together stakeholders from research organisations, European institutions, innovation agencies, and policymakers to discuss the future of Open Science and research knowledge valorisation in Europe.
Awards
1st Prize
Fully funded presentation and participation at the IP4OS Final Policy Event in Brussels.
2nd Prize
Speaking slot at the IP4OS event.
3rd Prize
Video presentation showcased during the event.
Top 10 Teams
Publication of their submissions on the IP4OS website.
Timeline
March-June 2026
Submission of challenge proposals.
End of June 2026
Review of all applications and shortlisting of 10 best applications through a review process by the jury and announcement of the 10 shortlisted candidates.
July-September 2026
Mentoring and capacity development for shortlisted candidates
September 2026
Final pitches of 10 shortlisted candidates
13 October 2026
Presentation of the winning teams at the IP4OS Final Policy Event at the EU Parliament in Brussels.
How to participate?
Interested teams can register via the application form HERE.
For questions, please contact:
Katharina Miller (MIK)
hello@miller.international
Vanessa Guzek (MIK)
hello@miller.international
We look forward to receiving innovative open solutions that create local impact through collaboration and Open Science.
