Industrial PhD with a grant from Innovation Fund Denmark
An Industrial PhD with a grant from Innovation Fund Denmark is a collaboration between a company and ITU that gives you the chance to conduct research while working closely with a company. You are employed by the company and supported by both environments throughout the project.
Company requirements
- The company must have a division geographically located in Denmark where the Industrial PhD candidate is to be employed
- The company must be able to offer a PhD level employment contract for the full project period and have the finances and facilities to run the project
- The company appoints an industry supervisor who dedicates time to supervision, project guidance, and knowledge transfer
- The company provides access to data, infrastructure, tools, and stakeholders necessary to carry out the project
- The company must ensure that the industry supervisor commits to working with the academic supervisor team at the university and participates in meetings, evaluations, and the PhD defence
Funding
Funding for the Industrial PhD is shared between a Danish company and Innovation Fund Denmark. A prerequisite for initiating this type of Industrial PhD project is obtaining a grant from Innovation Fund Denmark. When a grant is secured, it goes to the company and to the university to cover costs related to the Industrial PhD. The company receives funding to cover part of the salary and a contribution to travel costs. ITU receives funding to cover costs related to the PhD education such as supervision, assessments, and facilities.
Process for becoming an Industrial PhD with a grant from Innovation Fund Denmark
The Industrial PhD candidate establishes contact with a Danish company, identifies a potential company supervisor, and initiates a conversation with the potential ITU supervisor. The PhD candidate presents a research idea that ideally fits both the company and the potential university supervisor. If all parties are interested in the project and the company understands and accepts the framed conditions the process can continue.
With the advice of the potential company and university supervisors, the Industrial PhD candidate drafts the project proposal based on the research idea (objectives, methods, plan, risks, data, ethics).
1. The potential ITU supervisor involves ITU and submits an Expression of Interest (EoI). Internal processes are initiated to support the assessment process and approval of the PhD candidate
2. The PhD candidate submits documentation in order for the PhD school to assess whether the candidate is qualified for enrolment as a PhD student in the PhD programme at ITU. The documentation needed is:
- Documentation of English proficiency
- Support Letter from the potential ITU supervisor
See admission requirements for details.
Applications are handled by Innovation Fund Denmark and must be submitted through their application system. On Innovation Fund Denmark's website, you can find all relevant information about the programme including the application process, and rules and requirements for the PhD project and for you as PhD candidate.
If the application is successful and the grant is obtained, a cooperation agreement between ITU and the company is agreed and signed by all parties.
You will be enrolled as an Industrial PhD student in the PhD programme at ITU and start the PhD project at the agreed start date.