The Australian Government is investing $296 million to build a bedrock of research talent skilled in university–industry collaboration across the sector under the Increase Workforce Mobility initiative. This includes funding to establish the National Industry PhD Program to support the Government’s commitment to add 1,800 Industry PhDs over 10 years.
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About the Program
An Industry PhD is a doctoral program designed with an industry application. Under appropriate academic and industry supervision, PhD candidates undertake a co-designed research project with university and industry participation.
The National Industry PhD Program will support PhD candidates to undertake industry-focused research projects and be equipped with the knowledge and skills to better translate university research into commercialisation outcomes. Upon completion, candidates will have the ability to work at the interface of research and industry, and across the sectors in future.
The Program consists of two streams:
- Industry Linked PhD stream: This stream is for outstanding PhD candidates to undertake research projects co-designed by university and industry, with opportunities to be embedded in an industry setting and participate in a 12-week training program.
- Industry Researcher PhD stream: This stream is for highly capable industry professionals who are supported by their employers to undertake PhD projects in partnership with a university while retaining industry employment and salary benefits.
Applications
Applications for Round 1 close 11 April 2023. Applications must be submitted through the online application portal.
Please note: participating universities are responsible for submitting applications on behalf of researchers, industry partners, PhD candidates and industry employees. If you are unsure of a participating university's main point of contact please contact Campus Plus at industryphd@campusplus.com.au.
The MS Word and PDF versions of the application form and Letter of Intent Templates are also available below to assist in initial application drafting.
Alternatively, if your project is not yet application ready, please fill in this short Expression of Interest form. This will enable the program delivery partner, Campus Plus, to assist you.
See the frequently asked questions for further information.
Guidelines
Australian Government funding for the National Industry PhD Program is provided to eligible Australian HEPs in accordance with Part 2–3 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA).
Chapter 4 of the Other Grants Guidelines (Research) 2017 provides the legislative basis for the provision of funding to this program and prescribes the conditions that apply.
The Program Guidelines provides more detailed information about the National Industry PhD Program, including eligibility, duration, application processes, training embedment and funding support. These guidelines are accessible below.
Resources
Participating Universities and Industry Partners are required to enter into a collaborative agreement covering Intellectual Property (IP) arrangements, confidentiality, funding amounts and period, embedment arrangements, leave, and thesis publication. A voluntary collaborative agreement template is provided below and may be used as a negotiation starting point. Alternatively, Participating Universities and Industry Partners may prefer to use a collaborative agreement template of a similar nature.
Collaborative Agreement Template
An infographic has been developed displaying the funding amounts, sources, and recipients for the National Industry PhD Program.
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If you have any questions, please email the Department at IndustryPhD@education.gov.au.