Call for Industrial Ph.D. in the Private Sector 2026 (Denmark)

The Industrial Ph.D. in the Private Sector programme supports business-focused research projects through collaboration between private companies, universities, and PhD students in Denmark. The programme provides co-financing for company and university expenses while helping develop research-based solutions with commercial value.

The initiative is funded by Innovation Fund Denmark and aims to strengthen industry-academia collaboration, support innovation, and create highly skilled researchers who can contribute to business development.

Overview of the Industrial Ph.D. in the Private Sector Programme

The Industrial Ph.D. in the Private Sector programme supports research projects where a PhD student works jointly with a private company and a university.

The programme creates a partnership between:

• A Danish private company.
• A university or approved research institution.
• An Industrial Ph.D. student.

The research project must have a clear business purpose and should generate knowledge, innovation, and practical solutions that benefit the company and wider society.

Purpose of the Programme

The programme aims to:

• Develop business-oriented research.
• Strengthen cooperation between companies and universities.
• Support innovation through applied research.
• Train highly qualified PhD researchers.
• Create solutions with commercial and societal value.

The programme supports projects both within Innovation Fund Denmark’s four thematic focus areas and outside these areas.

What Is an Industrial Ph.D. Project?

An Industrial Ph.D. project is a research project where:

• A PhD student is employed by a private company.
• The student conducts research in collaboration with a university.
• The research addresses a business-relevant challenge.
• The company and university jointly supervise the project.

The student gains academic research experience while applying knowledge to real industry challenges.

Funding Details

Innovation Fund Denmark provides co-financing for eligible project costs.

Funding support includes:

• Student salary contribution: Up to DKK 17,000 per month.
• Company travel and course expenses: Up to DKK 100,000.
• University project expenses: Fixed amount of DKK 360,000 including overhead.

The funding supports:

• PhD student salary costs.
• Research-related travel.
• Course participation.
• University project activities.

Who Is Eligible?

The programme involves three main participants:

1. Private companies.
2. Universities.
3. PhD candidates.

Eligibility for Companies

Companies must:

• Have a geographical department in Denmark.
• Have sufficient financial resources.
• Have facilities and capacity to conduct the research project.

Companies with geographical divisions in:

• Denmark.
• Greenland.
• The Faroe Islands.

may also be eligible.

Eligibility for Universities

Universities must:

• Be officially approved to conduct PhD programmes.
• Be able to appoint a qualified PhD supervisor.
• Participate actively in the research collaboration.

Eligibility Requirements for PhD Candidates

Candidates must:

• Have completed a master’s degree.
• Achieve at least grade 10 in their master’s thesis.

They must also meet one of the following academic requirements:

• Have an average grade of at least 8.2 across bachelor’s and master’s degrees combined.

OR

• Have an average grade of at least 9.5 for the master’s degree alone.

Research Areas Supported

The programme supports:

• Projects within Innovation Fund Denmark’s four thematic focus areas.
• Projects outside these priority areas.

Eligible research should:

• Address business challenges.
• Create new knowledge.
• Have potential practical applications.

Why This Programme Matters

The Industrial Ph.D. programme connects academic research with real business needs.

It helps:

• Companies access advanced research expertise.
• Universities strengthen industry collaboration.
• PhD students gain practical research experience.
• Denmark develop innovation-driven industries.

The programme supports the transition of research ideas into practical solutions.

Benefits for Participants

For Companies

Companies can:

• Develop innovative products and services.
• Access university expertise.
• Solve complex technical or business challenges.
• Build research capacity.

For Universities

Universities can:

• Strengthen industry partnerships.
• Apply academic knowledge in practical settings.
• Support impactful research.

For PhD Students

Students gain:

• Industry research experience.
• Professional networks.
• Advanced research skills.
• Opportunities to apply academic knowledge commercially.

How the Programme Works

Step 1: Establish a Partnership

A company, university, and PhD candidate develop a joint research project.

Step 2: Define the Research Project

The project should clearly explain:

• Research objectives.
• Business relevance.
• Expected outcomes.
• Collaboration structure.

Step 3: University and Company Collaboration

The company and university provide:

• Research supervision.
• Necessary facilities.
• Technical support.
• Project management.

Step 4: Conduct PhD Research

The PhD student carries out research while contributing to company innovation.

Step 5: Complete Research and Apply Results

The project should generate:

• New knowledge.
• Business value.
• Research outcomes.
• Practical solutions.

Application Tips

Applicants should:

• Clearly explain the business challenge.
• Demonstrate collaboration between company and university.
• Highlight innovation potential.
• Provide a realistic research plan.
• Ensure the PhD candidate meets academic requirements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting projects without clear business relevance.
• Choosing candidates who do not meet academic requirements.
• Weak collaboration plans between university and company.
• Unclear descriptions of expected outcomes.
• Lack of financial planning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Industrial Ph.D. in the Private Sector programme?

It is a funding programme supporting business-oriented PhD research projects involving private companies, universities, and PhD students.

Who funds the Industrial Ph.D. programme?

The programme is funded by Innovation Fund Denmark.

How much salary support is available for the PhD student?

The programme provides up to DKK 17,000 per month toward the Industrial Ph.D. student’s salary.

Can companies outside Denmark apply?

Companies must have a geographical department in Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands to be eligible.

What academic qualifications are required for candidates?

Candidates must have a master’s degree with at least grade 10 in their thesis and meet the required grade average criteria.

Can research projects outside priority areas apply?

Yes. The programme supports projects within and outside the four thematic focus areas.

What is the main goal of the programme?

The goal is to create business-focused research outcomes while strengthening cooperation between industry and universities.

Conclusion

The Industrial Ph.D. in the Private Sector programme provides a strong platform for collaboration between Danish companies, universities, and researchers. By combining academic research with real business challenges, the programme supports innovation, strengthens industry competitiveness, and develops highly skilled researchers capable of creating future solutions.