The fast development of networked smart devices equipped with sensors and radio-frequency identification, connected to the Internet, is enabling the emergence of many new applications and the redesign of traditional systems towards more effective operation. Raising awareness among engineering PhD students for the potential of this new wave in their research work is a crucial element in their education. With this aim, the doctoral conference DoCEIS’13 focused on technological innovation for the Internet of Things, challenging the contributors to analyze in which ways their technical and scientific work could contribute to or benefit from this paradigm. The results of this initiative, which was reasonably successful, are briefly analyzed.