Funding Opportunities
Partnering with Politecnico di Milano: strategic Ph.D. opportunities for companies and international research centres
In an ever-changing global landscape, companies and institutions need to act fast, innovate smart, and invest in talent to stay ahead.
Industrial doctoral programmes at Politecnico di Milano are designed to generate real value and impact.
Explore below the two tailored paths both for private companies and research centres
Industrial Ph.D. – Thematic Scholarships
For companies and research centres looking to invest in new talent and develop research on strategic topics.
- Fund a 3-year Ph.D. scholarship on a topic relevant to your business/field.
- Choose a junior profile (e.g. a recent graduate) who will conduct targeted research and generate results that can be quickly translated into value for your organization.
- Research activities can take place at your company, at the university, or both, depending on the agreement.
How it works:
- The company/institution signs an agreement with the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB).
- The scholarship is activated through the first available public Ph.D. call.
- Companies in Italy benefit from tax credits for funded scholarships, as per current regulations.
Executive Ph.D.
For companies/institutions that want to develop the potential of their current employees.
- Support your employee in pursuing a 4-year Ph.D. while they keep their job and salary.
- No public call is required: after evaluation by the Faculty Board, the candidate is admitted through a direct agreement with the company.
- The research topic is jointly agreed upon and co-supervised by a Politecnico professor and a company tutor.
Why invest in an Executive Ph.D.?
- Empower your employee with advanced research skills, transversal competencies, and access to an international academic environment.
- Develop long-term innovation in-house, with a research project tailored to your company’s strategic goals.
- Build intellectual capital and strengthen your innovation pipeline.
Bonus: companies can also hire high-potential young researchers under apprenticeship contracts that combine advanced education and hands-on research training.
Benefits for companies/institutions:
- Accelerated access to cutting-edge research
- Tax incentives and public co-funding opportunities
- Tailored projects aligned with business objectives
- Talent retention and upskilling
- Direct collaboration with one of Europe’s top technical universities
Recent Ph.D. funding companies:
For more information or to discuss a potential partnership, please contact: