Strengthening Awareness of Intellectual Property
New cooperation with the European Patent Office enables doctoral candidates, postdocs and staff of Chemnitz University of Technology to participate in an online course on intellectual property rights free of charge
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Graphic: MIPEF key visual
Graphic: MIPEF key visual
Intellectual property plays a central role in research, innovation and the transfer of scientific knowledge into practice. Through a new cooperation between Chemnitz University of Technology and the European Patent Office (EPO), doctoral candidates, postdocs and staff of the university can now participate in the “Modular Intellectual Property Education Framework” (MIPEF) free of charge. The Centre for Junior Scientists (ZfwN), the Patent Information Centre (PIZ) of Chemnitz University of Technology and the Chair of Private Law and Intellectual Property (JURA II) accompany the programme.
The programme, developed by the EPO together with European experts, provides an introduction to intellectual property and connects it with specific practical applications. Topics covered include the various intellectual property protection systems, the life cycle of a patent, as well as technology transfer, IP strategies, licensing and commercialisation.
The English-language online course comprises interactive self-study modules, case studies, online events with IP experts and moderated forums. Upon completion of a final examination, participants receive a certificate from the European Patent Office.
Participants learn how intellectual property can be identified, protected and strategically used in the research and innovation process. In addition to the introductory course, the European Patent Office also offers an advanced course as part of the programme, which covers further aspects of patenting and the strategic use of intellectual property, as well as a course on IP management, which provides knowledge on the management of intellectual property rights and their commercialisation.
The interdisciplinary programme is aimed in particular at researchers working on innovative technologies, processes, products or transfer-oriented projects. No prior knowledge of patent law is required for the introductory course.
Registration and further information
Registration for the introductory course is possible from 21 September to 14 October 2026. The course phase relevant for participants begins with the opening of the online course area on 16 October 2026. The final examination must be submitted by 21 December 2026. The advanced course starts in spring 2027.
Participation in the courses is free of charge. The courses take place entirely online and in English.
Interested doctoral candidates, postdocs and staff of Chemnitz University of Technology who wish to participate in the introductory course are asked to first enrol in the OPAL course. There, they will receive all further information on registration and the course procedure. Anyone interested in the IP management course is asked to contact carina.gerlach@piz.tu-chemnitz.de by email.
The European Patent Office provides further information about the programme on its website: https://www.epo.org/de/learning/learning-resources-profile/universities-research-centres-and-technology-transfer-centres/modular-ip-education-framework as well as at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y-B9wuSViA.
For questions regarding the content, please contact Dr Carina Gerlach, Head of the Patent Information Centre, by email at carina.gerlach@piz.tu-chemnitz.de.
For organisational questions, please contact Dr Nadia Lois from the Centre for Junior Scientists, email: nadia.lois@rektor.tu-chemnitz.de.
Academic supervision by Prof. Dr. Dagmar Gesmann-Nuissl, Chair of Private Law and Intellectual Property Rights, email: dagmar.gesmann@wiwi.tu-chemnitz.de
(Author: Dr. Nadia Lois)
Anne Eichhorn
07.09.2026
