Why Join Fab Academy?
Fab Academy is designed for makers, engineers, designers, entrepreneurs, students, researchers, and innovators who want to acquire advanced fabrication and prototyping skills through practice.
Participants progressively develop expertise in:
- 2D and 3D design
- 3D scanning and printing
- Laser and vinyl cutting
- CNC machining
- Molding and Casting
- Electronics design and production
- Embedded programming
- Networking and Communication
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Sensors and interactive systems
- Project development and documentation
The program culminates in the development of a personal innovation project, designed and fabricated by each participant throughout the course, using several of the technologies mentioned hereabove.
A Learning-by-Doing Approach
Every week combines:
- A global lecture from international experts
- Local mentoring sessions
- Hands-on workshops
- Machine practice
- Collaborative experimentation
- Documentation and iterative improvement
Participants spend most of their time actively creating, testing and refining real prototypes rather than simply attending lectures. This intensive practical methodology enables students to quickly gain autonomy, technical confidence, and multidisciplinary skills highly valued in industry, innovation labs, startups, and research environments.
An Internationally Recognized Diploma
At the successful completion of the program, participants obtain the official Fab Academy Diploma issued by the global Fab Academy network.
This certification is internationally recognized within the Fab Lab, digital fabrication, innovation, prototyping, and advanced manufacturing ecosystems.
It validates advanced competencies in:
- Digital fabrication
- Rapid prototyping
- Electronics and programming
- Innovation-driven product development
- Project management
- Technical documentation
Graduates join a worldwide network of Fab Academy alumni, Fab Labs, innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
Program Information
Location
IONIS Education Group - Lyon Vaise Campus 16 Rue Jean-Marie Leclair 69009 Lyon FRANCE
Program Period
January 2027 – June 2027
Languages
- Global lectures, resources, documentation : English
- Local mentoring : French/English, depending on the students registered.
Students must be proficient in English (not nessary to be bilingual though).
Format
- Weekly international online lectures
- Local hands-on sessions and mentoring
- Access to fabrication equipment and prototyping facilities every day of the week
- Individual and collaborative project work
Participants are advised to be able to allocate 35+ hours / week to the program. Hours of work are not strictly defined given the education model mostly based on personal work.
Who Can Apply?
The Fab Academy 2027 program hosted at the Ionis Institute of Technology is open not only to IONIS Education Group students/staff, but also to a wide range of external candidates such as :
- Engineering and technology students
- Designers and creative technologists
- Entrepreneurs and startup founders
- Researchers and professionals
- Etc
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong motivation
- Curiosity and autonomy
- Interest in fabrication, innovation, and technology
- Capacity to commit to an intensive program
No prior expertise in digital fabrication is strictly required, although basic technical familiarity is recommended.
Admissions & Registration
Application Period
September 2026 - December 2026
Number of Seats
Limited cohort (3-7 students) to ensure high-quality mentoring and machine access.
Tuition Fees
Around 5 000 euros (half for local costs, half for central costs).
Exact price will be given once the application procedure is open.
Contact & Information
For admissions, tuition details, and application procedures, please contact Quentin Benethuillère, FabManager at the Ionis Institute of Technology - Lyon Vaise.
Build the Future
Fab Academy is not only a training program — it is an opportunity to become part of a global community shaping the future of fabrication, technology, and innovation.
Whether you want to launch a startup, prototype a product, deepen your engineering skills, or explore cutting-edge digital manufacturing technologies, Fab Academy provides the tools, methods, and international network to make it happen.
Join us at the Ionis Institute Of Technology - Lyon Vaise campus - and start building almost anything.