[ APPLICATIONS OPEN ]
Join
ASCENT
12
Weeks
~4h
Meetings/week
10-12
Fellows
$1,000
Travel budget
The program guides participants through a structured innovation process to identify and solve real-world, high-impact societal and economic problems using spatial data and technology. Individual registration; teams form progressively using the Catalyst methodology.
No aerospace background is required. Students from all disciplines are welcome. The program combines teamwork, research tools, and iterative feedback to develop evidence-based Need Statements, culminating in presentations at MIT and at Harvard's Real Colegio Complutense.
// ELIGIBILITY
Who can apply
The program is open to students at UPM (Universidad Politecnica de Madrid) and MIT, from any academic discipline, at degree, master, or PhD level. Participants register individually; teams form progressively during the program as interests and complementary skills align.
[FELLOWS]
Fellows (10 to 12 places)
Degree, master, or PhD students from UPM and MIT with diverse academic and professional backgrounds. The core participants.
[FACULTY]
Faculty and mentors (8 to 10)
From UPM, MIT, companies, startups, and business schools. They guide teams and connect them to the broader ecosystem.
[STAFF]
Program assistants (1 to 2)
Support coordination and logistics throughout the cohort.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Motivation and curiosity
Disciplinary diversity across the cohort
Team-building potential
No startup experience required
// SCHEDULE
Program timeline
12 weeks · Mar 24 to Jun 26, 2026 · approx. 4 hours of meetings per week (Mon and Wed) plus independent work
RECURRING WEEKLY SCHEDULE
MONDAY · TEAM MEETINGS
9:00 to 10:00 Boston · 15:00 to 16:00 Madrid
WEDNESDAY · FACULTY MEETINGS
8:30 to 11:30 Boston · 14:30 to 17:30 Madrid
Mar 25 to 27
Madrid Kick-off
In-person kick-off intensification in Madrid. Teams form, problem spaces are assigned, the Catalyst process begins.
May 12 to 13
Online Mid-program
Online mid-program intensification. Teams present Phase 1 findings and receive structured feedback from mentors and advisory panel.
Jun 24 to 26
Boston · MIT Campus
In-person final intensification. Final presentations at MIT and the Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard, in front of the Independent Advisory Panel.
// BENEFITS
What you get
$1,000
Travel expenses covered
Up to $1,000 per participant. Madrid for US participants, Boston for Madrid-based participants.
MIT
MIT Idea² program access
Masterclasses, MIT.nano laboratory visits, and Venture Cafe Thursday Gathering attendance.
CERT
Certificate of participation
Certificate of participation for all fellows completing the program.
ECTS
Academic credit (UPM)
Potential use as TFG, TFM, or ECTS credit award upon request for UPM students.
Harvard pitch
Presentation at Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard, in front of an Independent Advisory Panel.
ACTUA UPM follow-up
Recommended inclusion in next year's ACTUA UPM competition for selected groups.
// 2026 COHORT IN PROGRESS
The
2026 Pilot Cohort
is underway
Applications for the 2026 pilot are closed and the program is running. The 2027 call will open later in the year. For questions or expressions of interest, reach out to the program team.