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What is the Trust and Identity Mentoring Programme (TIM)?

The Trust and Identity Incubator Mentoring Programme (TIM) is an exciting initiative that brings together ambitious young minds and industry experts to develop new ideas in the area of Trust and Identity.

Funded by the GÉANT GN5.1 project (which is supported by the European Commission and by GEANT's member NRENs), the Trust and Identity (T&I) Mentoring Programme is a paid internship/work placement for students and young professionals who are interested in T&I and are studying (or have recently studied) computer science, engineering or a related field.

Students develop their chosen project (which can be a thesis) under the guidance of the GÉANT T&I Incubator team and a local mentor during the Incubator's 7-month development cycle. The T&I Incubator team pilots new concepts in 7-month "sprints".  Students may propose a project of their own choice, or they can choose to research a topic proposed by the T&I Incubator team.

The TIM programme is produced in collaboration between the GÉANT GN5-1 T&I Incubator, GÉANT's Learning and Development team (GLAD), NRENs and young professionals across Europe. The program aims to develop the next generation of T&I researchers and to explore innovative new T&I concepts, products and services.

Nominated by their local NREN, TIM participants are fully integrated into the work of the T&I incubator from the outset.  They will be mentored by the Incubator experts as well as by a local mentor provided by their NREN. The programme is also open to research institutions if their local NREN supports them. GÉANT Learning and Development team provides training opportunities for participants and NREN mentors. Participants will have the opportunity to present their work at an international event or conference.

The local mentor and young professionals are reimbursed for their time dedicated to the T&I Incubator. The process of reimbursements is defined under the financial rules of the GÉANT GN5.1 project. 

The expected duration of each programme's incubation cycle is 7 months. Dates for the TIM 2024 programme are:

Benefits for students and young professionals

TIM offers a fantastic opportunity to develop an innovative Trust & Identity project on a European scale, guided by experts in the field. It is a unique learning and professional development opportunity that includes:

• A paid professional internship (which may be combined with thesis writing)
• Working in an international team of Trust and Identity Specialists
• Training and skills development e.g. in public speaking

Participation requirements:

• Final year Bachelors, Masters or PhD level students in the fields of Computer Science, Engineering or other technology-related fields with an interest in Trust and Identity.
• Available for 7 months with an approximate workload of 3 days per week on the chosen project
• Excellent command of the English language, both spoken and written
• All participants must be nominated by a GÉANT member NREN. 

Benefits for NRENs (National Research & Education Networks)

This programme gives NRENs the opportunity to build local T&I expertise, learn from experienced SMEs, develop new T&I products and services and potentially expand the portfolio of services it can offer. The programme strengthens NRENs' relationships with member institutions and builds connections with the next generation of talent. 

To be eligible to participate, NRENs must:

• Be a member of the GÉANT GN5.1 project.
• Be able to facilitate and administer a paid internship in line with local HR/legal requirements.
• Be able to support the participant during the placement. This may include providing desk space, introducing the student to your NREN and the GEANT community, answering the student's questions, and arranging the student's travel to present their ideas at a conference. Costs will be reimbursed under the GN5-1 Project.
• Provide a mentor with availability to support the participant during the programme e.g. a university researcher.  The mentor's expected workload will be 0.5 to 1 day per week based on a 7-month cycle. Time will be reimbursed.

What is the role of GÉANT Learning and Development (GLAD)?

GÉANT's Learning and Development team (GLAD) is passionate about building, diversifying and strengthening the capabilities of the European NREN community. Through its Trust & Identity Mentoring programme, GLAD aims to develop T&I competencies and build a pool of talented people who will become the workforce of the future.

During the TIM programme, GLAD provides access to a wide range of professional development opportunities for students. For example, students receive expert presentation training to prepare them to present their ideas powerfully at an industry conference and improve their communication skills.

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TIM application and selection process

Step 1 NRENs promote the programme to their member universities and research institutions and identify candidates. Alternatively students and young professionals can contact glad@geant.org to be connected with their local NREN.

Step 2 The student's local NREN should check it fulfils the requirements above and identify a mentor for the student, for example a researcher in a related field who can supervise the student. 

Step 3 Submit application by email to glad@geant.org. The application should include:

• • The proposed participant's CV
  • The participant's motivation letter explaining in a few paragraphs why they would like to take part in this initiative.
  • A motivation statement from the NREN: a paragraph of why the TIM work is important and how the internship arrangement will work locally.

Step 4 The selection process is managed by the TIM Selection Committee who will announce acceptance into the programme.

• • The Selection Committee will ascertain the participants' expertise and motivation to take part in the TIM challenge. It will also ensure that home NRENs are equipped to support the TIM participants.

Step 5 The NREN formalises the internship/work placement with the TIM participant based on local NREN rules.

Step 6 The TIM participant joins the work of T&I incubator and gains access to Subject Matter Experts and training.