Industrial PhD Programmes in Denmark

Doctorate_industrial_Denmark_ABG

A Centralized Model of Excellence and Innovation

Denmark has forged an outstanding reputation in university-industry collaboration through its Industrial PhD Programme, centrally administered by Innovation Fund Denmark. This unique system, established since 1971 and refined in 1988, represents today one of the most accomplished models of doctoral training oriented toward innovation and economic value creation.


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:

Funding Structure:

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):

3. Main Partner Universities

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

University of Copenhagen (UCPH)

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)

 

Eligibility Conditions and Modalities

For Candidates

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

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:

For Universities

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

2025 Calendar and Application Procedures

Main Innovation Fund Denmark Deadlines

Industrial Researcher (PhD and Postdoc):

Other Complementary Programmes:

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: