Industrial PhD Programmes in Denmark

The Danish Doctoral System: A Centralized Architecture

Architecture of the Dannish Industrial PhD Programme

Eligibility Conditions and Modalities

Impact and Perspectives

By Tania Suvorova

The Danish Doctoral System: A Centralized Architecture

The Danish doctoral system is distinguished by its centralization around Innovation Fund Denmark (IFD), an independent public body created in 2014 that unifies industrial research funding. This coordinated approach enables optimal resource allocation and ensures homogeneous programme quality across the country.

With over 1,886 active projects and a budget of 7.4 billion DKK in ongoing investments, Innovation Fund Denmark constitutes the main driver of Danish industrial doctorate development. The system is characterized by a tripartite approach systematically involving the company, university, and industrial PhD candidate.

Architecture of the Danish Industrial PhD Programme

1. The Danish Doctoral System: A Centralized Architecture

Innovation Fund Denmark constitutes the unique entry point for industrial PhD funding in Denmark. Created in April 2014, this fund invests in entrepreneurs, scientists, and companies with ideas capable of solving societal challenges.

Mission and Objectives:

• Strengthening university-industry collaboration
• Promoting research with commercial perspectives
• Exploiting competencies and research facilities
• Increasing the number of PhDs in the Danish economy

Funding Structure:

• Company: 712,000 DKK (612,000 DKK salary contribution + 100,000 DKK travel/training)
• University: 360,000 DKK (overhead included)
• Monthly subsidy: Up to 17,000 DKK per month (maximum 50% of student salary)
• Duration: Exactly 3 years

2. Priority Areas and Thematic Calls

Innovation Fund Denmark directs its investments according to four political priority themes:

Priority Themes 2024-2025:

1. Green technology and innovation - Sustainable solutions and energy transition
2. Life science, health and welfare technology - Biotechnology, medical devices, digital health
3. Critical and digital technologies - Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum technologies
4. Projects outside themes - Innovation in all sectors not covered

Strategic Green Missions (311.1 million DKK in 2025):

• CO₂ capture and storage/utilization (CCUS)
• Green fuels for transport and industry (Power-to-X)
• Climate and environmentally friendly agriculture and food production
• Circular economy (plastics and textiles)

3. Main Partner Universities

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

• Positioning: Leading European technical university (107th in QS World Rankings 2026)
• Specialization: Engineering, natural sciences, sustainable technological development
• Staff: 1,453 PhD students with 44% international students at master level
• Employability rate: 85% of graduates find employment within 6 months
• Campus: Lyngby (Copenhagen suburb), 106 hectares, 500 million EUR ongoing investment

University of Copenhagen (UCPH)

• Faculty of Science: Main partner for industrial PhDs
• Process: Candidate finds Danish company + company supervisor ⇒ UCPH Science supervisor ⇒ IFD application ⇒ doctoral school admission
• Particularities: No teaching obligation, mandatory specific "Industrial PhD" course

Aarhus University (AU)

Specialized contacts:

Faculty of Arts: Anna Louise Dolan Plaskett (plaskett@au.dk)

Faculty of Natural Sciences: Frederikke Kongsted Hansen (fkh@au.dk), Mie Meulengracht Christensen (mime@au.dk)

Training Centre: Centre for Educational Development manages mandatory IFD course

University of Southern Denmark (SDU)

• Approach: Triangular collaboration company-candidate-SDU
• Focus: Business-oriented projects with direct practical application

Eligibility Conditions and Modalities

For Candidates

Required degree: Master's with minimum 10/20 on thesis AND either:

• Minimum 8.2 average on bachelor + master combined
• Minimum 9.5 average on master alone
• Exemption possibilities according to current guidelines

Language skills: Excellent English level required, Danish depending on subject

For Companies

Location: Headquarters or geographical division in Denmark (2024 extension: Greenland and Faroe Islands) Required capabilities:

• Funding and facilities to conduct the project
• Qualified industrial supervisor
• 3-year commitment
• Ability to employ the PhD student

For Universities

Status: University officially authorized to award PhDs Commitment: Ability to assign a supervisor to the project Responsibilities:

• Academic supervision of the PhD student
• Access to university facilities (equipment, materials, apparatus)
• Participation in relevant PhD courses
• PhD thesis assessment
• Results dissemination and thesis printing

2025 Calendar and Application Procedures

Main Innovation Fund Denmark Deadlines

Industrial Researcher (PhD and Postdoc):

• Spring 2025: Opens February 22 - Deadline April 4, 2025
• Autumn 2025: Opens August 1 - Deadline September 12, 2025
• Public sector: Deadline October 2025

Other Complementary Programmes:

• Innobooster: Reopening March 4, 2025 (improved version)
• Innoexplorer: September 24, 2025 (Round 3)
• Grand Solutions: Phase 1 (mid-January - March 19), Phase 2 (May 23 - August 19)

Impact and Perspectives

The Danish industrial PhD programme remarkably illustrates the effectiveness of a centralized and systematic approach to university-industry collaboration. With over 1,200 projects evaluated since its inception and measurable results in terms of innovation, patents, and employment, this model demonstrates its relevance for the national innovation ecosystem.

Denmark's unique architecture, centered on Innovation Fund Denmark, ensures consistency, quality, and impact while maintaining the flexibility necessary for adaptation to specific sectoral needs. This approach makes Denmark a global reference in industrial doctoral training and knowledge transfer.

This article was written by ABG - Association Bernard Gregory, specialist in PhD career development since 1980.

Sources:

• Innovation Fund Denmark (innovationsfonden.dk)
• ITIF Report "What The U.S. Can Learn From Denmark's Industrial PhD Program" (2013) 
• Study in Denmark official portal
• Technical University of Denmark official data
• EURAXESS Denmark resources