1. What is an Industrial PhD?
An Industrial PhD is an industrially focused three-year research project and PhD education, conducted jointly by a private company, an Industrial PhD candidate and a university. The Industrial PhD candidate is employed by the company and enrolled at the university.
The candidate spends all his/her working time on the research project and PhD education.
The aim of Industrial PhD Programme is to:
- educate researchers at a PhD level with knowledge about industrially focused research and innovation,
- create growth in the Danish business community through the promotion of co-operation on research and innovation between universities and Danish privately held companies, and
- facilitate knowledge transfer and networking between Danish companies and researchers at universities in Denmark and abroad.
Public institutions may also apply for approval of an Industrial PhD project. If funding has been allocated for this particular purpose, public institutions may apply for subsidy at indicated application rounds, to be announced beforehand at www.erhvervsphd.dk. If no funding has been allocated, public institutions must defray all expenses for the education, including expenses for enrolment and supervision at the university, cf. section 6.
Danish Regulations on PhD education are established in the Executive Order No. 18 of January 14, 2008 regarding PhD programmes at universities (the PhD Executive Order). The provisions of the Guidelines for the Industrial PhD Programme contain the funding requirements of the Industrial PhD Programme, which is financed by the Danish Council for Technology and Innovation (The Council).
Significant changes since last edition of the guidelines
Longer stays in non-Danish divisions of the company
It is now possible to stay in non-Danish divisions of the host company for up to six months as part of the project. See more in section 8.Categorisation of public and private sector companies
The criteria for categorising a company as part of the public or private sector have been determined. See section 4.On non-compete clauses
The Industrial PhD candidate’s employment contract must not contain any non-compete clauses limiting possibilities of employment elsewhere. See more in section 11.3+5 Industrial PhD educational course
It is now possible to have Industrial PhD projects following a 3+5 scheme approved. See more in section 7.
