TOP 500 Innovators is an initiative of the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education to promote innovation in science bridging the gap between academia and business in Poland by qualification improvement of researchers and employees of technology transfer centers in cooperation with the economy, research management and commercialization of their results. The program's budget reaches 35 million zł, and it covers a nine-week training program at the best universities of the world (Cambridge, Stanford and Berkeley). Thanks to the contact with outstanding practices, study visits and internships in the most innovative companies, participants learn how to effectively commercialize research results. An important part of the course is to develop soft-skills, such as teamwork and multidisciplinary research team, creative thinking, effective decision-making and conflict solution. Participation in the program is also an excellent opportunity to observe the work of companies, whose business foundation is the commercialization of research results as well as establishing contacts with entrepreneurs and representatives of venture capital.

The overall objective of the program is to contribute to the best possible use of domestic and foreign funds for research, as to ensure the transfer of results of R & D to the economy. In addition, within one month of their return, using the knowledge and skills gained during the program, each participant is required to draw up a plan for the research commercialization or prepare objectives of the plan to improve the effectiveness of technology transfer center.

More details about the program here: TOP 500 Innovators