What is the Joint Open Lab (JOL)?
The Joint Open Lab (JOL) is a strategic initiative of the EUNICE alliance that unites the resources of its partner universities—such as cutting-edge research infrastructure, state-of-the-art facilities, and expert knowledge—and makes them accessible to international stakeholders. At its core, JOL supports the "company on campus" model, encouraging close collaboration between academia and industry. This integrated approach creates an open platform where innovation thrives, and partnerships flourish. The EUNICE JOL hub is dedicated to:
Driving regional engagement and cross-border cooperation
Stimulating innovation and entrepreneurial activity
Strengthening local and regional ecosystems through shared knowledge and resources
Supporting sustainable growth across the EUNICE alliance and beyond
By building bridges between academia, industry, and the public sector, JOL serves as a catalyst for impactful research and development. The EIR platform provides dynamic support for Research and Technology initiatives, connecting academia, public sector, and industry for international project applications. It promotes opportunities like Erasmus Mundus, KICs-EIT, and Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. Registered users receive alerts for relevant calls, enhancing project scouting and collaboration.
From Idea to Impact: EUNICE-Entrepreneurship lab and the EUNICE Incubator
The EUNICE Entrepreneurship Lab (E-Elab) is a core initiative of the EUNICE regional engagement activity, designed to nurture entrepreneurial thinking and transform innovative ideas into viable ventures. It brings together students, researchers, and early-stage entrepreneurs from across the EUNICE network, fostering a culture of cross-border collaboration and innovation. E-Elab serves as an entry point into the broader EUNICE Incubator, providing early-stage entrepreneurs with the foundational skills, networks, and support needed to move from concept to company. Promising projects developed during E-Elab can seamlessly transition into the EUNICE Incubator, where they receive continued support, including:
Advanced business development services
Access to startup funding and investor networks
Incubation space and technical infrastructure
Ongoing mentoring and growth support
Together, E-Elab and the EUNICE Incubator create a full pipeline for entrepreneurial success—from ideation to market launch—strengthening regional innovation and building sustainable startups across EUNICE Eupean Alliance.
The first edition of E-Lab is in hybrid mode, with 13 online workshops ( March 13-June 24, 2025) to and a Summer School in Catania (30 June-4 July, 2025, see program).