Students of the PK Krakow University of Technology can participate in the third edition of the international FutureLab Camp, organized within the framework of the STARS EU European University. The event will take place from March 1-5, 2027, in Bragança, Portugal, and will be hosted by Bragança Polytechnic University. The program will combine a week of on-site work in international, interdisciplinary teams with several months of remote collaboration on challenges submitted by regional partners. We invite students of the PK Krakow University of Technology interested in participating in the program to submit their applications.
FutureLab Camp is implemented within the framework of the STARS EU European University, of which the PK Krakow University of Technology and eight other European partner universities are a part. The program combines intensive project work during a week-long stay in Portugal with several months of online collaboration. Participants form international and interdisciplinary teams in which students from various fields and levels of education jointly address real development challenges.
The third edition of FutureLab Camp – this time in Portugal
The first edition of FutureLab Camp took place in 2025 at the PK KUT. International student teams then worked on concepts for the development of the Zakliczyn municipality. The second edition, organized in March 2026 by Université Marie et Louis Pasteur in Belfort, France, gathered 34 students from STARS EU partner universities, including eight PK KUT students. They worked on projects concerning, among others, hydrogen technologies, energy transformation, artificial intelligence, and sustainable student living spaces.
– FutureLab Camp shows how much can be achieved when students from different countries and disciplines work together on ambitious regional challenges. The results of both first editions of the program exceeded the expectations of the organizers and regional stakeholders who benefit from the developed solutions – emphasizes Adam Sadło from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at PK KUT, leader of the FutureLab Camp task within STARS EU.
In 2027, program participants will meet in Bragança – a city located in northeastern Portugal. The event will be hosted by Bragança Polytechnic University, and projects will be prepared in cooperation with regional stakeholders and in conjunction with the activities of university research and development centers and the UPB Living Lab.
What challenges await the participants?
This year’s edition will be dedicated to challenges related to regional development and the transformation of the European economy and society. The final set of projects will be confirmed at the end of 2026, but the planned thematic areas include, among others:
- Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence
One of the directions will be the use of digital transformation and AI for micro and small enterprises operating in sparsely populated areas. Students will be able to consider how new technologies can support local entrepreneurship and regional development. - Circular Economy
Further challenges will concern technologies supporting circular economy solutions, including in regional value chains related to the agri-food sector and industry. - Innovations in Rural Areas
Participants will also work on issues related to rural development, the concept of smart villages, and increasing the attractiveness of peripheral regions. - Data, Culture, and Creative Industries
Among the possible topics is also the use of data analysis in the creative and cultural sector – for example, to strengthen regional identity and support sustainable tourism.
A week in Portugal and several months of collaborative work
FutureLab Camp 2027 will be implemented in a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) format. The on-site part will take place in Bragança from March 1-5, 2027 (+ two travel days at the beginning and end). The week of intensive project work will include, among others, team integration, meetings with experts and stakeholders, study visits, and the development of initial concepts. In accordance with BIP assumptions – intensive project work will be accompanied by a socio-cultural aspect, i.e., getting to know local culture, traditions, and regional attractions.
From March to June 2027, participants will continue their work online, developing the prepared solutions and preparing their final presentation.
Who can apply?
Recruitment is open to students of the PK Krakow University of Technology studying at the following levels:
- first-cycle studies,
- second-cycle studies,
- doctoral studies.
A specific field of study is not required. The most important aspects are motivation, interests, readiness to work in an international and interdisciplinary team, and English language proficiency allowing for free collaboration. Teams will be deliberately formed to combine different fields of study, levels of education, and competencies. Master’s and doctoral students will also be able to support younger colleagues through mutual mentoring.
Why is it worth it?
FutureLab Camp is primarily an opportunity to work on a real problem, in an international team, and with the support of experts. Participants can gain experience in project work, develop research, practical, and intercultural competencies, and meet students and researchers from other European universities.
It is also an opportunity to look at one’s own field from a completely different perspective. In previous editions, architecture students collaborated with computer scientists, chemists, and representatives of other disciplines, jointly creating solutions that address specific regional needs. Such a combination of different competencies and perspectives can lead to valuable results in just a week of intensive work.
How to apply?
Recruitment for FutureLab Camp 2027 is conducted in agreement with representatives of STARS EU partner universities. PK Krakow University of Technology students interested in participating should send their application to Adam Sadło at the address:
adam.sadlo@pk.edu.pl by the strict deadline of 12:00 PM on November 20, 2026.
In your application, please include:
a) information on the candidate’s year and field of study, and level of English proficiency,
b) a statement of the candidate’s motivation and expectations regarding participation in FutureLab Camp.
c) an indication of which of the thematic areas are most interesting to the candidate and why.
After the recruitment process, participants for project teams with complementary competencies and interests will be selected, and then international project teams will be formed.
Key dates
- application deadline: November 20, 2026
- participant selection: December 2026
- programme and project preparation: Autumn 2026 – January 2027
- FutureLab Camp in Bragança: March 1-5, 2027
- remote work: March-June 2027
Travel and stay in Portugal will be carried out under the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme. Financial support related to mobility is organized by the sending universities in accordance with the rules of the Erasmus+ program.
Do you want to gain international experience, meet students from all over Europe, and jointly create a solution for a real challenge? Apply for FutureLab Camp 2027 in Bragança!
