IRP

Welcome to the website of the International Research Project!

The International Research Project (IRP) combines academic research with international exposure through a unique blend of company-based research projects and an intercontinental study tour. Each year, motivated students from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) collaborate with organizations to address real-world business challenges, followed by an in-depth study trip centered around a unifying theme.

Students from the Master’s programs Innovation Management, Operations Management & Logistics, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science in Business & Entrepreneurship are eligible to participate. The project starts with research assignments conducted at companies in the Netherlands. These projects provide students with the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in practice, while offering companies fresh perspectives on complex organizational and strategic issues. After completing the research phase, the participants embark on an international study tour that further explores the same theme in a global context.

The IRP is organized annually by students of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences, with each edition focusing on a new theme and destination. The theme forms the foundation for both the research projects and the organizations visited during the study tour. The theme of IRP 2026 is “Strategic Innovation in Emerging Economies: Balancing Sustainability, Technology, and Local Realities.” In line with this theme, the study tour will take place in Argentina and Brazil, with visits to Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro. During the trip, participants will visit companies, universities, governmental institutions, and consulates to gain a broad and multifaceted perspective on innovation in emerging markets.

The objective of the study tour is to explore how organizations in emerging economies develop and implement strategic innovation under dynamic economic, social, and institutional conditions. By engaging with professionals, academics, and policymakers, students gain insight into how sustainability goals, technological advancements, and local realities are integrated into strategic decision-making. Through this combination of research, international collaboration, and cultural exchange, the International Research Project offers students a valuable and immersive learning experience.