The AHK is currently collaborating with the HKU and ArtEZ University of the Arts on the Innovation Traineeship Pilot. The aim of this project is to strengthen the research relationship between universities of applied sciences and small or medium-sized enterprise (SMEs).  

In December 2020, the Taskforce for Applied Research SIA (Regieorgaan SIA), part of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, NWO) awarded a subsidy to the AHK, HKU and ArtEZ within the context of the Innovation Traineeship 2020 scheme. It is the first time that such a joint subsidy application has been awarded to three universities of the arts. The three universities are now collaborating in order to make these innovation traineeships a reality. With this project, the SIA wants to increase the capacity for innovation of SMEs and strengthen the knowledge position of the universities.  

An innovation trainee conducts practice-oriented research over the course of 1.5 years at an SME, first as a trainee and after graduating as an employee of the company. The university supervises the trainee during the entire research project. In addition, the participant is offered a programme in which (soft) skills are developed that are important in the business sector, such as entrepreneurial, innovation and management skills. The student can take part in masterclasses, network meetings and peer supervision, for example, with this goal in mind.   

The three universities are currently busy putting the plans into effect.