Implementation PhD
The possibility of pursuing implementation PhDs was introduced by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in 2017. The main aim of the program is to support cooperation between universities and enterprises in conducting research focused on a technological problem identified by the business sector. The doctoral candidate is an employee of the company submitting the research problem, and their doctoral dissertation is developed under the scientific supervision of a promoter from the university, representing the scientific discipline relevant to the planned research.
Qualification pathway for the “Implementation PhD” program
Before starting the qualification procedure, it is worth carefully considering the planned research project, particularly the motivation for choosing the research problem and its scientific and practical significance. The PhD topic should be discussed with a potential scientific supervisor, a future promoter from the university, representing the scientific discipline related to the planned research.
Helpful questions may include:
- What are the main research questions and research methods planned for the project?
- What are the expected theoretical and practical outcomes of solving the research problem?
- To what extent will the research be conducted in cooperation with an employer operating in a specific business sector?
- What will be the innovative nature of the planned research?
- What new knowledge will the research provide for the given industry or sector?
- What will be improved, enhanced, or implemented?
- What significance will the achieved results have for the development of the given business area, including the activities of the employing company?
What should the application include?
The application for participation in the “Implementation PhD” program should include a description of the research problem undertaken and address the following:
- scientific goal of the project – a description of the problem to be solved and the research questions or hypotheses posed,
- concept and plan of research and implementation work – an overall research plan, methodology, risk analysis, milestones, and other key elements of the project,
- significance of the planned research results for innovation development and the economy, including:
- scientific significance of the project, covering the current state of knowledge, justification for undertaking the research problem, justification of the innovative nature of the research, and the importance of the project results for the development of the given field and scientific discipline,
- practical significance and implementation potential of the project, including the nature of the implementation, planned location and method of implementation, the importance of the project for the entrepreneur, and for the Polish economy,
- potential of the entrepreneur or employing company from the perspective of project implementation, including access to research equipment, industry experience, and the scope of support offered to the doctoral candidate,
- a brief presentation of the candidate for auxiliary supervisor from the enterprise or employer side, along with information about their experience in R&D work over the last 5 years.
Further procedure
After the doctoral thesis topic submitted is accepted by the relevant decision-making body of Gdańsk Tech, the university submits an application to the Ministry for participation in the particular edition of the “Implementation PhD” program. This constitutes the second stage of recruitment to the Implementation Doctoral School.
Qualification of the planned doctoral dissertation for the program simultaneously means a successful recruitment result to the Implementation Doctoral School at Gdańsk Tech.
Amount of the Doctoral Scholarship
The doctoral scholarship under the "Industrial PhD" program amounts to:
- PLN 3,935.00 – until the month in which the mid-term evaluation referred to in Article 202, paragraph 2 of the Act is conducted,
- PLN 5,997.00 – after the month in which the mid-term evaluation is conducted.
Scholarship Adjustments – Editions 2021–2023 (V–VII)
Due to changes in the financing rules of the "Industrial PhD" program for editions started in 2021–2023, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education has initiated the process of signing annexes to the agreements.
According to the new rules:
- from January 1, 2024, higher scholarship rates apply,
- from the academic year 2024/2025, an additional increase in the scholarship and co-financing for the use of research infrastructure has been planned.
New method of scholarship calculation:
- 42% of a professor’s salary – until the mid-term evaluation,
- 64% of a professor’s salary – after the mid-term evaluation.
Scholarship adjustments will be paid after Gdańsk Tech signs the annexes to the agreements and funds are transferred by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
Note: Agreements ending before the conclusion of the 2023/2024 academic year will not be subject to adjustments. For the Edition IV (2020), no changes in the rules for scholarship calculation are planned.
Additional Information
The doctoral scholarship is paid under the "Industrial PhD" program:
- in the first year – after the Ministry transfers funds for the implementation of the industrial doctorate,
- in subsequent years – after the Ministry approves annual reports and transfers funds for the continuation of the doctorate.
The doctoral scholarship is exempt from tax; however, according to the Act on the Social Insurance System, it is subject to social insurance contributions: pension, disability, and accident insurance.
The social insurance obligation also applies to doctoral candidates employed on the basis of an employment contract, performing contracts of mandate, or conducting non-agricultural business activity. The basis for the social insurance contributions is the amount of the doctoral scholarship received.
The program also allows for co-financing of the costs of using research infrastructure for the purposes of scientific research conducted by the industrial PhD candidate.