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:
Timeline
Autumn
Entry Level
Course registration starts: September 29th, 2025
Course registration deadline: October 16th, 2025
Course room opens: October 17th, 2025
Live session 1: October 27st or 29th, 2025
Live session 2: November 10th or 12th, 2025
Live session 3: November 24th or 26th, 2025
Live session 4: December 1st or 3rd, 2025
Final assignment published: December 15th, 2025
Final assignment submission deadline: December 21th, 2025
Grades published: January 12th, 2026
Course ends: January 31st, 2026
Advanced Level
Course registration starts: September 29th, 2025
Course registration deadline: October 16th, 2025
Course room opens: October 17th, 2025
Live session 1: October 30th, 2025
Live session 2: November 13th, 2025
Live session 3: November 27th, 2025
Live session 4: December 4th, 2025
Final assignment published: December 15th, 2025
Final assignment submission deadline: December 21th, 2025
Grades published: January 12th, 2026
Course ends: January 31st, 2026
Spring
Entry Level
Course registration starts: February 23rd, 2026
Course registration deadline: March 19th, 2026
Course room opens: March 20th, 2026
Live session 1: March 30th or April 1st, 2026
Live session 2: April 13th or 15th, 2026
Live session 3: April 20th or 22nd, 2026
Live session 4: May 4th or 6th, 2026
Final assignment published: May 18th, 2026
Final assignment submission deadline: May 24th, 2026
Grades published: June 8th, 2026
Course ends: June 30th, 2026
Advanced Level
Course registration starts: February 23rd, 2026
Course registration deadline: March 19th, 2026
Course room opens: March 20th, 2026
Live session 1: March 31st or April 2nd, 2026
Live session 2: April 14th or 16th, 2026
Live session 3: April 21th or 23nd, 2026
Live session 4: May 5th or 7th, 2026
Final assignment published: May 18th, 2026
Final assignment submission deadline: May 24th, 2026
Grades published: June 8th, 2026
Course ends: June 30th, 2026
For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the NOVA Impact office.
