The collaboration within the PhD Programme can take place through three main forms:
Funding a PhD scholarship through an agreement/internship
An internship-based PhD involves the funding of scholarships, through an agreement with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, linked to specific research projects.
The scholarship holder will work on a project previously defined jointly by the University and the funding organisation. In addition to teaching, seminar and research activities, this type of PhD scholarship may include an internship at the funding organisation, under the supervision and support of the academic tutor.
At the beginning of the programme, an individual training plan will be developed jointly by the academic and company tutors in order to define the objectives and stages of the internship.
The commitment of the company/organisation
The company/organisation undertakes to finance the amount of the scholarship, including administrative costs, as well as the fund allocated for research activities.
Tax benefits
Pursuant to Article 1, paragraph 353 of Law No. 266/2005, funds transferred to universities and university foundations for the financing of research activities, including scholarships, in the form of contributions or donations, are fully deductible from the taxable income of the funding entity (IRES and IRAP taxpayers).
High Apprenticeship PhD Programme
The University of Modena and Reggio Emilia offers PhD students the possibility of obtaining their doctoral degree through a study and research programme under a high-level apprenticeship training contract, in accordance with the regulatory framework established by the Emilia-Romagna Region through Regional Government Resolution No. 963 of 21 June 2016. Employment by the company, which takes place simultaneously with enrolment in the PhD Programme, complies with the terms established by the relevant National Collective Labour Agreement (CCNL).
Requirements for the company and the doctoral apprentice
– companies must have their registered office or at least one operational office in Emilia-Romagna;
– PhD students must not have reached the age of 30 at the time of employment and must have been admitted to or already enrolled in a PhD Programme;
– the employment contract must last at least 6 months and must not exceed the standard duration of the PhD Programme.
The Individual Training Plan (PFI)
The training provided under the employment contract amounts to 120 hours per year, organised as follows:
– 72 hours of external training (at the Department);
– 48 hours of internal training (at the company).
Internal and external training activities are integrated in order to achieve the learning outcomes established for the PhD Programme while taking into account the needs of the company.
The content and arrangements for both external and internal training are set out in the PFI, drawn up by the academic tutor in agreement with the company tutor. The PFI is a flexible and personalised document designed to meet the needs of all parties involved in the high-level apprenticeship training contract: the company, the PhD student and the Department.
The Emilia-Romagna Region supports doctoral apprentices by providing, on an annual basis and upon completion of the relevant activities, a voucher covering the PhD enrolment fees.
For further information, interested companies should contact the LSI Programme’s Organisational Secretariat to arrange an appointment (phd_lavorosviluppoinnovazione@unimore.it) in order to obtain information on the relevant deadlines and procedure.
Establishing an Industrial PhD Programme
Another form of collaboration between universities and the economic sector is the Industrial PhD, regulated by Article 10 of Ministerial Decree No. 226 of 14 December 2021. This model allows companies and public or private organisations to train their employees and strengthen their skills within a PhD Programme.
The training programme, which includes both attendance at university courses and research activities, is developed jointly by the Industrial PhD promoter and the PhD Academic Board, ensuring consistency with the research and development activities promoted by the company/organisation.
The PhD student is supervised throughout the entire doctoral programme by two tutors: an academic tutor and a tutor from the promoting organisation.
The term “industrial” is intended in a broad sense, “including all sectors of the private and public labour market, from profit-making companies to public institutions, as well as NGOs and charitable or cultural institutions” (European Commission, 2011).
Requirements
Calls for admission to Industrial PhD positions may specify particular requirements for the research activities, such as interdisciplinarity, participation in international networks and intersectoral collaboration, also taking into account the sector in which the company operates.[1]
PhD Programmes established through agreements with companies, including foreign companies, that carry out qualified research and development activities may apply for recognition as an “Industrial PhD”.
How to establish an Industrial PhD Programme
To establish an Industrial PhD Programme, an agreement must be signed with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, where the PhD Programme is based.
The agreement provides for the promoting organisation to finance two PhD scholarships and the University to finance an additional two scholarships. Two external funding organisations may also be involved, each funding one scholarship; this does not affect the University’s obligation to finance two scholarships.
Under this agreement, a share of the positions advertised for the current academic year may be reserved for employees of the companies or organisations participating in the agreement. These employees must take part in the admission competition and may be admitted to the PhD Programme upon successfully completing the relevant selection process.
The Industrial PhD promoter is actively involved in the programme and participates in the PhD Academic Board through a designated representative.
Tax benefits
Pursuant to Article 1, paragraph 353 of Law No. 266/2005, funds transferred to universities and university foundations for the financing of research activities, including scholarships, in the form of contributions or donations, are fully deductible from the taxable income of the funding entity (IRES and IRAP taxpayers).