TRUST – Transfer for a European Smart Transformation

A European innovation network for digital, sustainable, and just future solutions.

TRUST connects universities, industry, and society to create new pathways for knowledge transfer and to strengthen Europe sustainably. Through European Innovation Residencies, transnational Microdegrees with real innovation challenges from industry, and digital transfer infrastructures, we actively shape the transformation of tomorrow.

Connecting Europe. Sharing knowledge. Shaping the future.

Europe is undergoing a period of profound transformation: climate change, digitalisation, skills shortages, and geopolitical tensions demand new answers. Universities of Applied Sciences play a key role as innovation drivers and bridges between research, industry, and society. With partners from Germany, Italy, France, and the UK, we are creating a European innovation ecosystem that shares knowledge, jointly develops technologies, and empowers researchers and students to actively contribute to the transformation of Europe.

TRUST Measures – How TRUST Creates Impact

A European research and transfer network connecting partner universities and practice partners through joint innovation activities, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international knowledge exchange.

TRUST European Innovation Residencies & European CoLabs
- Hybrid creative spaces -
Combined research residencies and practice-based innovation phases at partner universities and companies, alongside hybrid innovation labs where interdisciplinary teams develop solutions to real-world challenges.

TRUST European Co-Publikationen & Panels
- Sharing knowledge, multiplying impact -
Joint publications in peer-reviewed journals and international conference panels to increase visibility and global impact.

Within the TRUST network, microcredentials are developed as flexible learning formats that foster international collaboration, knowledge transfer, and practice-oriented skills development in line with future skills and European priorities.

TRUST Training on Microcredentials
- Empowering universities for innovative learning -
An in-house training programme supporting TRUST partner universities in building the organisational, academic, and legal capacities needed to implement microcredentials according to the European approach.

TRUST Microdegrees with Innovation Challenges
- Learning for the Europe of tomorrow -
Jointly developed microdegrees across all clusters combine innovation methods, entrepreneurship, fundraising, and international online lectures with real-world innovation challenges from practice partners. International student teams work on these transfer tasks through blended mobility formats and summer schools.

TRUST strengthens transfer structures at all partner institutions and develops shared digital tools for open innovation and European collaboration.

TRUST Coffee Breaks
- Exchange that makes transfer possible -
A regular exchange format for TRUST transfer and innovation offices on topics such as export control, dual-use research, science diplomacy, patents, and intellectual property.

TRUST Innovation Knowledge Graph
- Making the innovation landscape visible -
A digital platform visualising expertise, competencies, infrastructures, and contact points across the TRUST network – creating a transparent and connected European innovation ecosystem.

Thematic Clusters – Our Focus Areas

Project Overview

Project duration: 2026–2028
Lead institution: Trier University of Applied Sciences
Partner countries: Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom
Funding agency: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Thematic clusters: Health • Sustainability • Digitalization • Innovation Management

The TRUST Network

The TRUST network comprises four leading universities and a strong consortium of industry and clinical partners. All partners contribute complementary research focuses, infrastructure, and real-world practical and innovation challenges.