NOVA University Lisbon is part of the Pan-European Seal Network, coordinated by Europe’s largest Intellectual Property (IP) organizations – the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

This programme, named Modular IP Education Framework (MIPEF), is mainly addressed at students from Universities of the Pan-European Seal Network. The goal is to ensure that every student graduating from NOVA is well aware of what Intellectual Property is, and how to make the best use out of it to foster innovation.

About the Programme

The course “Create – Protect – Innovate: Bringing ideas to market” developed by the European Patent Office is aimed at master’s and Ph.D. students and will teach you how to protect inventions and bring them to market
and provide you with valuable insights into the world of innovation. It consists of two parts (entry and advanced level), each containing five self-paced modules.

The course offers you unique opportunities to follow inventors’ real-life stories, understand why and how they patent their inventions and learn how intellectual property rights (IPRs) can be integrated into business strategies. Each module is based on a carefully selected set of case studies, many of which involve inventors who have been nominated for or won the European Patent Office’s European Inventor Award. Students can independently complete the modules at their own pace. The modules consist of high-quality videos, podcasts and interactive educational elements. These explain the theory behind new concepts and provide exercises and case studies to help learners
consolidate their knowledge. There is also a multiple-choice quiz at the end of each module. In addition, a wide variety of resources are included for further study.

A final assignment, marked by experts in intellectual property (IP), will serve to test your knowledge. Through a unique platform, tutored forum and interactive live sessions, you will meet different IP experts. If you complete all relevant activities, you will be awarded an EPO certificate. Each part consists of:

five self-paced learning modules, based on real stories from the European Inventor Award;
three live sessions, with IP experts working in different fields;
two tutored fora, where the students can interact with the tutors and with their peers;
a final marked exercise.

Who can apply?

Every student from NOVA, from all degree levels and all organic units, are eligible.

How to apply?

Access to Entry Level Course (link tba)
Access to Advanced Level Course (link tba)

Password: Send an e-mail to novaimpact@unl.pt with subject “Access to MIPEF” stating your NOVA School, degree information and desired level (Entry or Advanced) to request access.

Useful Documentation

Please make sure to consult these documents:

More info here: https://www.epo.org/en/learning/learning-resources-profile/universities-research-centres-and-technology-transfer-centres/modular-ip-education-framework

Timeline

Autumn

Entry Level

Course registration starts: Mon 21 Sep 2026
Course registration deadline: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Course room opens: Fri 16 Oct 2026
Masterclass 1: Mon 26 Oct 2026 or Wed 28 Oct 2026
Masterclass 2: Mon 09 Nov 2026 or Wed 11 Nov 2026
Masterclass 3: Mon 23 Nov 2026 or Wed 25 Nov 2026
Masterclass 4: Mon 30 Nov 2026 or Wed 02 Dec 2026
Final exam published: Mon 14 Dec 2026
Final exam submission deadline: Mon 21 Dec 2026
Grades published: Mon 11 Jan 2027
Course room closes: Sun 31 Jan 2027

Advanced Level

Course registration starts: Mon 21 Sep 2026
Course registration deadline: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Course room opens: Fri 16 Oct 2026
Masterclass 1: Tue 27 Oct 2026
Masterclass 2: Tue 10 Nov 2026
Masterclass 3: Tue 24 Nov 2026
Masterclass 4: Tue 01 Dec 2026
Final exam published: Mon 14 Dec 2026
Final exam submission deadline: Mon 21 Dec 2026
Grades published: Mon 11 Jan 2027
Course room ends: Sun 31 Jan 2027

Spring

Entry Level

Course registration starts: Mon 22 Feb 2027
Course registration deadline: Wed 17 Mar 2027
Course room opens: Fri 19 Mar 2027
Live session 1: Mon 05 Apr 2027 or Wed 07 Apr 2027
Live session 2: Mon 19 Apr 2027 or Wed 21 Apr 2027
Live session 3: Mon 26 Apr 2027 or Wed 28 Apr 2027
Live session 4: Mon 10 May 2027 or Wed 12 May 2027
Final assignment published: Mon 24 May 2027
Final assignment submission deadline: Mon 31 May 2027
Grades published: Mon 14 Jun 2027
Course ends: Wed 30 Jun 2027

Advanced Level

Course registration starts: Mon 22 Feb 2027
Course registration deadline: Wed 17 Mar 2027
Course room opens: Fri 19 Mar 2027
Masterclass 1: Tue 06 Apr 2027
Masterclass 2: Tue 20 Apr 2027
Masterclass 3: Tue 27 Apr 2027
Masterclass 4: Tue 11 May 2027
Final exam published: Mon 24 May 2027
Final exam submission deadline: Mon 31 May 2027
Grades published: Mon 14 Jun 2027
Course room closes: Wed 30 Jun 2027

For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the NOVA Impact office.