EMERGE: Engineering PhD Research Translation Program
You've submitted your thesis. What's next?
EMERGE is a six-week program for UNSW Engineering PhD candidates who have recently submitted their thesis.
Make the most of this stage in your career by developing practical skills that complement your technical expertise. Through the lens of research commercialisation and venture creation, you'll learn how to engage with industry, build strategic relationships, communicate the value of your research, and explore pathways for translating your work beyond publications.
Whether you’re interested in launching a venture, exploring the commercial potential of your research, moving into industry or pursuing a postdoctoral position, EMERGE will help you develop the professional and entrepreneurial skills that complement your technical expertise—including business development, stakeholder engagement, commercial thinking and communicating with non-academic audiences.
Participants who complete the program will also be eligible for the EMERGE Showcase, with AUD $15,000 in awards available.
Applications are now open.
EMERGE is part of the Faculty of Engineering’s Entrepreneurship in Engineering support program. To find out more about Entrepreneurship in Engineering click here.
Program Details
EMERGE is a six-week program designed exclusively for UNSW Engineering PhD candidates who have submitted their thesis recently (within the last 6 months) or will have submitted by the time the program starts.
The program helps recent PhD students build the professional skills that complement their technical expertise. Through practical workshops and hands-on activities, participants develop capabilities in research commercialisation, business development, stakeholder engagement, strategic communication and pitching, while exploring the commercial potential of their research and the fundamentals of venture creation.
EMERGE also provides a unique opportunity to connect with a cohort of researchers at the same stage of their career. Participants become part of the UNSW Founders innovation community, build relationships with mentors and industry, and expand their professional network.
The program is open to 50 participants and concludes with the EMERGE Showcase, where selected participants will present their work and compete for AUD $15,000 in awards to support the next stage of their research translation journey.
EMERGE is supported by the UNSW Faculty of Engineering in partnership with UNSW Founders.
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EMERGE is designed for UNSW Engineering PhD candidates who have:
submitted their PhD thesis within the last 6 months;
are interested in exploring the commercial potential of their research;
are curious about research translation, industry engagement and venture creation;
are ready to commit approximately one day per week for six weeks in their professional development;
No prior experience in business, entrepreneurship or commercialisation is required.
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What you'll gain
Over six weeks, you'll:
Build practical professional skills that complement your technical expertise.
Learn how to evaluate the commercial potential of your research.
Develop skills in business development, stakeholder engagement and strategic communication.
Explore research commercialisation pathways, including industry partnerships, licensing and venture creation.
Strengthen your confidence communicating your research to technical and non-technical audiences, including in preparation for your oral examination.
Connect with a cohort of up to 50 Engineering PhD candidates at the same stage of their PhD journey.
Become part of the UNSW Founders innovation community and expand your professional network with founders, researchers and industry.
Be eligible for selection to the Research Impact Showcase, with AUD $15,000 in awards available.
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Key Dates
Applications open: Week commencing 3 August 2026
Applications close: 2 October 2026
Participant selection: 2 October - 9 October 2026
Program commences: Monday, 12 October 2026
Program concludes: Friday, 20 November 2026
Portal Showcase: Thursday, 26 November 2026
Program format
Portal runs over six weeks. Participants should expect to commit approximately one - two days per week, including:
self-paced online learning and practical activities;
one full-day, in-person at UNSW, Michael Crouch Innovation Centre
Location
Workshops and EMERGE Showcase will be held at UNSW Sydney, Michael Crouch Innovation Centre. Further details will be provided to successful applicants.
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Questions?
Email us at:
eng.entrepreneurship@unsw.edu.au
You’re in good hands!
EMERGE is a part of Faculty of Engineering’s Entrepreneurship in Engineering Program and delivered in partnership with UNSW Founders.
Linda Koschier
Head of Entrepreneurship in Engineering
Linda began her career as an engineer and researcher, completing a PhD in Electrical Engineering at UNSW before moving into senior leadership roles across startups, industry and research commercialisation.
With more than 20 years of experience spanning Origin Energy, EnergyLab, Ideematec Australia and UNSW's Solar Research Group, she now leads the Faculty's entrepreneurship programs, helping engineering researchers translate world-class research into startups and real-world impact. Linda combines firsthand experience of research, industry and venture creation to support the next generation of engineering founders.
Maddison McCoy
Community Manager for Entrepreneurship in Engineering
The program includes sessions delivered by Maddison McCoy, whose background spans Law, Biology and Synthetic Biology. Maddison has worked with early-stage startups and now designs and delivers research commercialisation programs at UNSW Founders. She previously led Bio 10x, UNSW Founders' accelerator for life science startups, and now works with engineering researchers through the Spinout Fellowship, supporting early-career academics to explore commercialisation opportunities arising from their research.
Wonyoung Choi
Project Officer at UNSW Founders
With a background in Engineering, software development and product management, Wonyoung has spent a career turning ideas into reality.
Having lived and worked across the United States, South Korea and Australia, Wonyoung brings a global perspective to innovation, with experience building products, designing programs and connecting technical and non-technical teams. At UNSW Founders, Wonyoung helps researchers and makers bring ideas to life through the Makerspace while delivering programs that equip aspiring entrepreneurs with practical skills and confidence.