Industrial PhD Research Grants for Collaborative Business‑University Projects (Denmark)

The Industrial PhD Programme in Denmark supports collaborative applied research projects between a private company, a PhD candidate, and a university. Innovation Fund Denmark provides financial contributions to cover salary support, travel, and university supervision costs. Eligible projects must involve a company with a Danish presence, an approved university, and a qualified master’s graduate as the PhD candidate.

The Industrial PhD Programme, funded by Innovation Fund Denmark (IFD), supports three-way research partnerships between:

1. A private company

2. A PhD student (Industrial PhD candidate)

3. A Danish university

The programme promotes applied research, knowledge transfer, innovation, and long-term collaboration between academia and industry in Denmark.

What Is an Industrial PhD?

An Industrial PhD is a structured PhD project where:

• The student is employed by a private company

• The research project addresses a company-relevant challenge

• The student is enrolled at a Danish university

• Academic supervision is provided by an approved university

• Research combines scientific rigor with commercial or applied relevance

The goal is to strengthen innovation capacity, enhance technology development, and create knowledge-based growth in Denmark.

Programme Focus Areas

The Industrial PhD Programme supports projects:

• Conducted in collaboration with companies that have a geographical department in Denmark (including Greenland or the Faroe Islands)

• Involving universities officially approved to award PhD degrees

• Supervised by an assigned academic PhD supervisor

• Led by candidates who have completed a master’s degree with qualifying academic performance

Projects are encouraged across all fields, including but not limited to:

Priority Areas

• Green research and sustainability

• Life science and health

• Critical and digital technologies

• Space technology

However, projects outside these thematic areas are also eligible, provided they demonstrate strong innovation and applied research potential.

Funding Structure

Innovation Fund Denmark provides financial contributions to both the company and the university.

Funding for the Company

The company may receive:

• Up to DKK 17,000 per month toward the Industrial PhD student’s salary

• Up to DKK 100,000 total for:

  • Travel expenses

  • Participation in courses

  • Relevant academic activities

This support helps offset the company’s employment and research costs during the PhD period.

Funding for the University

The university partner receives:

• A fixed amount of DKK 360,000 (including overhead)

This funding covers:

• Academic supervision

• Research facilities and infrastructure

• Relevant PhD courses

• Thesis assessment

• Dissemination of research results

The funding model ensures active engagement between the company, university, and student throughout the project duration.

Who Is Eligible?

1. Company Requirements

To apply, the company must:

• Have a geographical department in Denmark (or Greenland/Faroe Islands)

• Demonstrate financial capacity to run the project

• Provide relevant research facilities

• Employ the PhD candidate during the project

The company plays an active role in defining the applied research problem.

2. University Requirements

The university must:

• Be officially approved to conduct PhD programmes

• Attach a qualified PhD supervisor to the project

• Ensure academic quality and degree compliance

The university is responsible for academic standards and awarding the PhD degree.

3. Candidate Requirements

The Industrial PhD candidate must:

• Have completed a master’s degree

• Meet academic performance requirements (including thesis and overall grade criteria)

• Fulfill university PhD admission standards

Strong academic qualifications are required to ensure research excellence.

Why This Programme Matters

The Industrial PhD Programme strengthens:

• Industry–academia collaboration

• Commercialization of research

• Knowledge transfer

• Innovation capacity in Danish companies

• Development of highly skilled research professionals

It ensures that scientific knowledge is directly applied to real-world industry challenges, enhancing Denmark’s competitiveness and research ecosystem.

How the Industrial PhD Works

Step 1: Project Development

The company and university:

• Identify a research challenge

• Define applied research objectives

• Select or recruit a qualified candidate

Step 2: Application Submission

The company submits the application to Innovation Fund Denmark, including:

• Project description

• Research objectives

• Innovation potential

• Budget breakdown

• Academic supervision plan

Step 3: Evaluation

Applications are assessed based on:

• Scientific quality

• Innovation potential

• Business relevance

• Feasibility

• Qualifications of the candidate and supervisor

Step 4: Project Implementation

If approved:

• The candidate enrolls in the PhD programme

• The company employs the candidate

• Research is conducted under joint supervision

• Progress reporting and compliance are maintained

Step 5: Completion

The project concludes with:

• Submission and defense of the PhD thesis

• Dissemination of results

• Potential commercial or strategic implementation

Key Success Factors

Strong applications typically include:

• A clearly defined applied research problem

• Strong alignment between company needs and academic objectives

• Demonstrated innovation and market relevance

• A realistic timeline and budget

• A well-qualified candidate and experienced supervisor

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting projects without clear commercial relevance

• Weak collaboration structure between company and university

• Inadequate documentation of company capacity

• Selecting candidates who do not meet academic requirements

• Vague research methodologies

Projects must balance scientific rigor with applied impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who submits the application?

The company typically submits the application in collaboration with the university partner.

2. Can projects outside priority themes apply?

Yes. Projects beyond green research, life science, digital technologies, or space are eligible if they demonstrate strong innovation potential.

3. Who employs the PhD student?

The private company employs the Industrial PhD student.

4. How much funding can the company receive?

Up to DKK 17,000 per month toward salary and up to DKK 100,000 for travel and course expenses.

5. What does the university receive?

A fixed DKK 360,000 (including overhead) to cover supervision and academic costs.

6. Must the company be Danish-owned?

The company must have a geographical department in Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands. Ownership structure is not the primary requirement.

7. Is a master’s degree mandatory?

Yes. The candidate must have completed a master’s degree with qualifying academic performance.

Conclusion

The Industrial PhD Programme in Denmark offers structured funding to support high-quality applied research through close collaboration between companies and universities. By combining academic excellence with industry relevance, the programme strengthens innovation, enhances competitiveness, and develops highly skilled researchers embedded in real-world business environments.

For companies seeking research-driven growth and for graduates aiming to combine academia with industry impact, the Industrial PhD Programme provides a powerful pathway.