Program Overview

Introduction to the Talents in Residence Program

The Talents in Residence program, promoted by Polifactory since 2015, is designed to support the development and prototyping of ideas developed by young designers at Politecnico di Milano. This program offers an opportunity for students of Master's Degrees in Design, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics, Information Technology, and Bioengineering to develop their thesis projects free of charge.

Program Overview

The residency is based on an experimental and peer-to-peer learning model, allowing designers to test and materialize their ideas. This includes prototyping product solutions or components, experimenting with IoT solutions through physical computing, and experimenting with technologies or processes for digital manufacturing. To date, over 70 students have successfully developed their thesis projects through this program.

Benefits of Participation

Participating in the Talents in Residence program provides several benefits, including:

• Discovering and experimenting with various practices inherent to digital making and manufacturing.
• Learning the operating principles of makerspaces, including their operational, social, and collaborative dynamics.
• Becoming part of an interdisciplinary community of innovators, collaborating with other students, teachers, and researchers from different disciplines.
• Assisting the team in organizing scientific, experimental, and cultural activities.

Open Call and Application Procedure

Applications for the Talents in Residence program take place through specific open calls, launched three times a year. Each open call lasts 4 weeks, and applications are evaluated within 15 days after the call's closure. The application procedure involves:

• Reviewing the list of thematic areas and identifying the one that best matches the applicant's profile.
• Completing the application form and attaching relevant documents.
• If selected, participating in a short interview to discuss the application in detail and formally initiate the residency period.

Proposal Selection Criteria and Residency Conditions

Proposals are evaluated individually based on specific criteria, including:

• Being submitted at least 6 months before the hypothetical graduation session chosen.
• Involving the development of a research thesis, not a consolidation thesis.
• Addressing one of the Research Lines proposed by Polifactory.
• Involving the development of a project with tangible/material components.
• Involving the development of a project that can be at least partially prototyped using the tools and technologies available at Polifactory.

The residency period has a minimum duration of 3 months and a maximum duration of 9 months. During this period, each participant will have a maximum of 15 hours of support from Polifactory staff members and is required to be present in the laboratory for at least 3 days a week. Participants will also have the opportunity to contribute to the Open Polifactory public engagement program and research activities carried out within the space.

Conclusion

The Talents in Residence program offers a unique opportunity for young designers to develop their ideas and thesis projects in a supportive and collaborative environment. With its focus on experimental learning, peer-to-peer collaboration, and access to advanced technologies, this program is an ideal platform for students looking to innovate and excel in their fields.