SUMA – Master in Sustainable Materials

The Challenge

Sustainable Material Solutions with SUMA The SUMA master’s program aims to train tomorrow’s resource engineers to work collaboratively in a global world, gathering together some of the best educational programs in the field of sustainable materials engineering in Europe. The goal is to ensure young scientists obtain a solid background in chemistry and physics, with competencies for designing and tailoring new material systems for specific functions and with a specific view to the sustainability of processes and technologies in the field of material development. SUMA puts a particularly strong focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership and takes a holistic approach to the materials paradigm by exploring circular (eco) design, materials substitution, life cycle engineering, and circular economy design, materials processing and recycling, manufacturing, and innovation.

Participating Universities

• KU Leuven -  Belgium
• Montanuniversität Leoben -  Austria
• University of Trento -  Italy
• Grenoble INP -  France
• University of Milano-Bicocca -  Italy

Our modern lifestyle relies on raw materials. From the iron and steel of our railway infrastructure to the gold and silver in the circuitry of smartphones: raw materials are everywhere. Even the transition to a climate-neutral future requires cobalt for electric vehicles, lithium for rechargeable batteries, silicon for photovoltaics and solar panels, and rare earth elements for wind turbines that generate renewable energy

As the world grows smaller and more hyper-connected, the impact of society on the Earth has never been more visible. It is now clear that we need to shift to a circular economy to responsibly use the Earth’s finite resources. But what can just one individual do to help? More than you think! Real change requires courage, innovative thinking, and collective action – the same skill set that EIT RawMaterials Academy - SUMA looks for in prospective students. Are you ready to mine your raw talent, help shape a more circular, green economy, and create sustainable solutions for tomorrow?

What do we offer students?

EIT RawMaterials Academy - SUMA offers students a unique opportunity to learn in a dynamic environment, focusing on real-life challenges. Awarded by the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), a body of the European Union, the EIT Label is a certificate of quality that is granted only to excellent educational programs at the master's and doctoral levels.

As a student of an EIT-Labelled program from EIT RawMaterials Academy - SUMA, you’ll be part of the largest European raw materials network with more than 120 core and associate partners and 180 project partners, including higher education professionals, researchers, and industry experts from over 20 European countries. As an EIT Label student, you will be welcomed into this network and will champion and contribute to the EIT RawMaterials goals of finding new, innovative solutions to secure the sustainable supply of raw materials across the value chain: from exploration, mining, and extraction, to mineral processing, recycling and the movement towards a circular economy. EIT RawMaterials aims to equip a new generation of innovators in Europe with the necessary entrepreneurial mindset for designing and delivering materials solutions. You’ll also get the chance to collaborate internationally and develop sustainable solutions to pressing economic, environmental, and societal challenges. And long after you graduate, you can stay connected via EIT RawMaterials Alumni.

What to expect?

• Thesis internship placements at leading European companies
• Membership of the EIT RawMaterials Alumni community
• ‘Learning by doing’ with challenge-based courses that focus on real-life problems
• Study tours and visits to innovative companies and industrial sites
• Exciting new ways of learning: online courses, virtual and augmented reality, and MOOCs
• Courses designed to nurture start-up ideas with accelerators and incubators
• Course modules dedicated to entrepreneurship and innovation skills
• EIT RawMaterials Innovation support: business plan competitions, innovation boot camps, seed funding
• Expertise in a raw materials discipline – a comprehensive understanding of the entire raw materials value chain
• EIT RawMaterials summer schools and interdisciplinary courses
• European mobility – a study in at least two European countries

Exclusive activities and support for EIT-Labelled students

Students in EIT-Labelled master’s programs within the EIT RawMaterials Academy - SUMA receive a range of additional opportunities to boost their innovation and entrepreneurship skills, grow their network in the raw materials sector, and gain the experience they need to thrive.

These exclusive events bring together EIT-labelled students from across the Master School and form the basis of your shared learning experiences, making you a full member of the EIT RawMaterials community.

Participating Universities

• KU Leuven
  • Belgium
• Montanuniversitat Leoben
  • Austria
• University of Trento
  • Italy
• Grenoble INP
  • France
• University of Milano-Bicocca
  • Italy