Supporting collaboration
Griffith University encourages and supports academics and candidates to collaborate with industry partners to strengthen our relationships in the pursuit of furthering our research translation and impact. Griffith is committed to enhancing HDR-industry engagement to support and encourage our HDR candidates to contribute to global innovation, find cutting-edge practical solutions to problems, and generate new knowledge.
Engaging industry partners
Candidates should be supported to pursue opportunities for external supervision, undertake collaborative research projects, and apply for external funding opportunities with industry partners in pursuit of furthering their career pathways.
Three key ways to engage industry partners in higher degrees by research at Griffith University are detailed below:
Industry PhD Scholarship
A PhD industry scholarship is a collaboration on a three-year PhD project that’s either fully or partially funded by the industry partner.
Research Placement/Block Internships
A research internship is a bespoke three to six-month project that can be completed during the candidate's candidature or whilst the candidate is under examination.
External industry PhD programs
External industry PhD programs are being developed and launched across the sector to provide support and incentives to both universities and industry to assist in fostering industry research collaboration.
Research Training Program (RTP) Funding Criteria
On 21 May 2021, the Federal Government announced exciting changes to the RTP funding model to encourage greater industry engagement and collaboration in pursuit of industry-ready PhDs.
From 2022, an additional RTP funding weighting will apply to each doctorate candidate completion where the candidate has collaborated with an industry partner (for example via a collaborative research project, or a placement internship), where the following criteria are met:
- The research collaboration must be with a research end-user (industry partner) for a minimum of three calendar months in duration.
- The candidate must spend at least 60 days full-time or equivalent undertaking research activities with the organisation (either in-person or remotely). For a placement internship this may be undertaken as one block of time for example, whereas for a collaborative PhD Industry Scholarship arrangement this may be undertaken throughout the candidature. The research collaboration must be agreed to in written form by the candidate, the University and research end-user (industry partner) within 18 months of commencement for full-time candidates, or 36 months for part-time candidates. However, noting that the research collaboration/internship can occur at any point in candidature.
Please see further information at FAQs for Research Training Program Industry Weighting.
Industry PhD Scholarships Scheme
Industry PhD Scholarships Scheme provides a framework for collaborative research projects to be established, with suitable PhD candidates recruited for admission to a project that’s supported by industry-university co-funding arrangements. Recruitment to an industry PhD can occur in one of two ways:
- Outstanding PhD candidates are recruited to undertake research projects co-designed by the University and industry partner. Candidates are required to complete an absolute minimum of 60 days onsite with the industry partner (Funding model A or C).
- Industry professionals are supported by their employer to undertake PhD projects in partnership with the University (Funding model B).
The minimum rate for a HDR living stipend scholarship is $34,752 (2025) per year, however, industry PhD scholarships are set at a higher rate of $50,000 (2024) per year for up to 3.5 years. This higher rate recognises the industry partner investment and co-collaboration of the project.
This program differs from our grant processes, if your industry scholarship is part of a grant application, please follow the Research Investment in Externally Funded Grants Guidelines instead.
At Griffith University, we have several options for industry PhD Scholarships, including:
(including options for industry partner’s employees)
| Model | Funding support from industry | Funding support from Griffith | |
|---|---|---|---|
Model A - Industry-funded stipend |
Full or partial stipend scholarship, or employer may continue to pay salary if applicant is an employee (minimum $33,000) | A top-up scholarship, project funding, providing funding to the employer, or other incentive may be awarded as a package with the industry funding. International candidates may be awarded a tuition scholarship. | |
Please note, where the stipend is primarily being funded by the industry partner, the candidate eligibility requirements can be H2AE (Second Class Honours Division A). Candidates may also be enrolled on a full time or part time basis, and may be enrolled as a remote candidate within Australia, or offshore.
| Model | Funding support from industry | Funding support from Griffith | |
|---|---|---|---|
Model B - Industry-funded top up | Top-up scholarship (minimum $10,000 pa) | Full stipend scholarship awarded as a package with the industry funding where the arrangement meets the RTP industry weighting criteria. International candidates may be awarded a tuition scholarship. | |
Please note, where the stipend is being funded primarily by University, the candidate eligibility requirements must be H1E (First Class Honours or equivalent). Candidates will enrol full time, and may be enrolled as a remote candidate within Australia.
| Model | Funding support from industry | Funding support from Griffith | |
|---|---|---|---|
Model C - All other arrangements | Any other financial support or in-kind only | May be competitively considered for Griffith scholarship/s in the open merit application process. Where the research project involves collaboration with an industry partner, a case for scholarship award may be made on the grounds of strategic priority. | |
Griffith University will be the custodian of the project intellectual property (IP) created through an industry doctoral scholarship project and the industry partner would be provided a licence to the intellectual property for internal use. The candidate will own copyright in their thesis and requests to fully restrict publication of results will not be accepted. However, an embargo period may be considered.
Industry partners who wish to own project intellectual property are required to collaborate on full commercial research arrangement which would include paying commercial rates. Commercial projects can be organised with assistance from Griffith Enterprise. For partners seeking a commercial license to the project IP generated under a PhD scholarship program, a commercial agreement can be negotiated and organised by Griffith Enterprise once the project intellectual property is developed.
Amendments to the IP clause in the standard agreement terms will not be considered, however, in instances where the use of an external agreement is appropriate, or in certain exceptional circumstances, an alternative IP position may be accommodated. Requests for amendments to the standard terms require approval by the Dean GGRS and may delay the commencement of the project.
If the external organisation wishes to commercialise a research output arising from an industry doctoral research project, then Griffith, and the external organisation will negotiate in good faith and enter into an agreement, separate from the scholarship agreement, that governs the relevant commercial arrangement. Griffith Enterprise are available to assist academics in negotiating such arrangements.
Industry scholarships are a package totalling a minimum $50,000pa living stipend for the candidate.
Industry partner's may provide a top-up scholarship to applicants who hold a Griffith or other funded scholarship.
Griffith University will be the custodian of the project intellectual property (IP) created through an industry doctoral scholarship project and the industry partner would be provided a licence to the intellectual property for internal use. The candidate will own copyright in their thesis and requests to fully restrict publication of results will not be accepted. However, an embargo period may be considered.
Industry partners who wish to own project intellectual property are required to collaborate on full commercial research arrangement which would include paying commercial rates. Commercial projects can be organised with assistance from Griffith Enterprise. For partners seeking a commercial license to the project IP generated under a PhD scholarship program, a commercial agreement can be negotiated and organised by Griffith Enterprise once the project intellectual property is developed.
Amendments to the IP clause in the standard agreement terms will not be considered, however, in instances where the use of an external agreement is appropriate, or in certain exceptional circumstances, an alternative IP position may be accommodated. Requests for amendments to the standard terms require approval by the Dean GGRS and may delay the commencement of the project.
If the external organisation wishes to commercialise a research output arising from an industry doctoral research project, then Griffith, and the external organisation will negotiate in good faith and enter into an agreement, separate from the scholarship agreement, that governs the relevant commercial arrangement. Griffith Enterprise are available to assist academics in negotiating such arrangements.
Further costs to consider when organising a project with an industry partner are:
- Project costs (such as travel to sites, equipment, services, products, facilities, etc)
- Relocation/travel costs – for the candidate if they are relocating to undertake the project
- Health Insurance costs for international candidates (see more information in FAQs).
Where an applicant does not hold the required degree for admission or scholarship eligibility, the applicant will need to be considered if a combination of the applicant’s prior degree(s), relevant research, or industry experience and/or research outputs can be assessed as being of a comparable standard. The applicant facing equivalence for HDR program admission page, and the internal staff facing Guidelines for assessment of applications for HDR admission and scholarship page detail the qualifications that are equivalent to a Bachelor Honours Degree that are accepted as meeting the requirement for admission (or scholarship), as well as alternate entry pathways that may be accepted in determining equivalency.
Scholarship candidate-led steps
Step 1
Candidate secures supervisor and industry partner.
Step 2
Candidate works with supervisor and industry partner to develop research proposal and seek industry funding.
Step 3
Supervisor applies for scholarship co-funding to support the arrangement (via Industry Scholarship Agreement Request Form).
Step 4
Candidate applies for admission and scholarship.
Scholarship supervisor-led steps
Step 1
Supervisor secures an industry partner.
Step 2
Supervisor works with industry partner to develop research project and seek industry funding.
Step 3
Supervisor applies for scholarship co-funding to support the arrangement (via Industry Scholarship Agreement Request Form).
Step 4
Supervisor (and industry) selects preferred candidate through an advertised EoI process.
Step 5
Candidate applies for admission and scholarship.
Once a project is in place, the recruitment of a candidate must occur through an EOI process to select a preferred candidate. As an exception, a candidate may already be identified as the preferred candidate and attached to a project where the project and partnership has been candidate led, or where the candidate is an industry employee. Once a preferred candidate is confirmed they are required to formally apply online for the doctoral program. See ‘Setting up and advertising a scholarship’ to find more information including the application, selection process and relevant forms.
Projects that don’t have a candidate attached must go through an EOI process. Once a preferred candidate is confirmed they are required to formally apply online for the doctoral program. See ‘Setting up and advertising a scholarship’ to find more information including the application, selection process and relevant forms.
Once you have an industry partner identified and a project scoped, please complete the HDR External (Industry) Scholarship Agreement Request form and progress to the Dean (Research) for endorsement. Once endorsed, completed forms are to be submitted to PhDPartnerships@griffith.edu.au.
For assistance in discussing these options with your industry partner, please contact us at PhDPartnerships@griffith.edu.au and we can provide advice.
Industry-linked PhD: preventing shoulder injuries
Dr Steve Duhig from the School of Health Sciences and Social Work is the principal supervisor on an industry PhD that candidate Alec McKenzie is undertaking at Griffith, in partnership with Swimming Australia. The PhD deals with preventing shoulder pain and injury in competitive swimmers.
"Working with industry can provide the necessary partnership and recognition to conduct research within sporting organisations. I worked in swimming as a strength coach and identified the gap in the literature regarding evidence for preventing shoulder injuries—by coincidence, I met Alec and who was also interested in pursuing a PhD on this topic. We (Alec and supervisory team) then prepared a program of research to pitch for the Queensland Academy of Sport and Swimming Australia. As a supervisor, industry-linked PhD projects provide external funding and opportunities to work directly with athletes, coaches and support staff."
HDR Block Research Internships
An HDR Block Research Internship is a fantastic entry pathway into research collaboration with industry to test the waters before entering a longer-term strategic partnership, such as an industry PhD scholarship.
For candidates to be eligible to undertake a research internship they must meet the following criteria:
- Met confirmation milestone
- All other milestones are up to date.
- Remain enrolled or will be under examination for the entire duration of the internship.
- Your support in involvement with the internship and your confirmation that the candidate will still be able to complete their program in a timely manner.
The Griffith supervisor's role during the research internship is to guide the candidate from an academic perspective as the ‘Academic Mentor.’ This role can be exclusive to one academic supervisor or shared among an academic team. The candidate will also have a supervisor allocated by the industry partner (host organisation) who will provide guidance from an industry perspective.
Supervisors can access relevant forms and information to assist their candidates in setting up an internship arrangement on the internship forms web page.
Outlined in the next tabs are some of the options for candidates looking to undertake a research internship at Griffith University.
Collaborate with your candidate to capitalise on an existing relationship or broker a new relationship with an industry partner in your network.
There are several ways to organise a self-sourced research internship, including but not limited to:
- Candidate approaches an industry partner with a project idea and pitches to the partner, drawing on your expertise to advise on the project.
- Utilising your networks, you or your candidate contacts an industry partner and collaborates on a project idea together.
- Capitalising on an existing research project with an industry partner, create an internship project as a biproduct of a larger project.
Typically, self-sourced research internships are paid for by the industry partner (host organisation) and therefore, it is common that the intellectual property is allocated to the industry partner. Costs are negotiable depending on the project however, typically negotiations start at $3,000 per month paid to the student as a stipend (for scholarship holders this payment is paid as a top-up to their scholarship). Other costs to be considered are (to be paid by industry partner):
- Travel reimbursement
- Relocation funds
- Project funds
- In-kind contributions
In-line with the RTP weighting, we encourage supervisors to discuss the option of an internship with your candidate early in candidature. To be eligible, please ensure your project fits within the RTP criteria (see above) and for the project to be agreed to in writing within the first 18 months of their candidature.
Self-sourced research internships are projects that are proposed and developed in collaboration with the industry partner. The HDR Partnerships Coordinator can assist you in these preliminary conversations.
To access relevant forms and information to assist in setting up an internship arrangement, please visit ‘Internship Forms.’
Contact PhDPartnerships@griffith.edu.au if you have any further queries or concerns that are not addressed in the FAQs below.
Encourage your candidate to apply for a local or global community internship opportunity facilitated by the Learning Futures team.
For more information about research internships offered within the Community Internships Program, please see the HDR section of the Community Internships website.
How can your candidate secure an HDR Block Research Internship
External industry PhD programs
To provide support and incentives to both universities and industry there are a number of external programs available to assist in fostering industry research collaboration. Programs such as the CSIRO Industry PhD Program and the National Industry PhD Program provide funding opportunities to incentivise research collaborations with industry.
The Griffith Graduate Research School will be managing Griffith’s participation in these programs and will directly contact academics and research groups to express interest.
If you are collaborating with an industry partner and are interested in participating please watch the 2024 HDR Industry Scholarships Programs Webinar and find all relevant information and forms under the relevant program heading below.
National Industry PhD Program
The National Industry PhD Program will support PhD candidates to undertake industry-focused research projects and equip them with the knowledge and skills to better translate university research to the real-world. 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 industry settings.
- 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.
How the program works:
Academics and their industry partner co-design a research project to address a need with the industry setting. The PhD Candidate/ industry professional will split their time between the University and industry partner:
- Industry Linked PhD will usually spend between 20-50% of their time in the industry setting.
- Industry Researcher PhD will usually spend between 20-50% of time in the university setting.
(The actual amount and method of time will be negotiated and agreed by all parties under their collaborative agreement. However, the minimum days required over the period must be equal or above 60 days)
Project/Candidate eligibility
- An Industry PhD Research Project is one that has a potential industry application.
- An Industry Linked PhD Candidate must:
- Be a domestic or international PhD Candidate
- Be supported by a Participating University
- New or early PhD candidates (new being defined as a maximum of 12 months candidature)
- Be awarded an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend and Fees Offset (or equivalent) scholarship for the duration of their Industry PhD candidature by Participating University scholarship).
- An Industry Researcher PhD Candidate must have their employer’s agreement to participate in the Program. Their employer will be an Industry Partner for the Program duration.
Industry partner eligibility
Eligible Industry Partners must:
- Be a business or organisation with an Australian Business Number (ABN) or an Australian Company Number (ACN) – International companies are eligible if they have either of these and a presence in Australia.
- For Industry Researcher Stream only, be a registered body corporate
- Undertake Research and Development (R&D) activities.
- Support employees to undertake Industry Researcher PhD study and agree that the employee’s full salary and benefits be maintained for the project duration/or provide min $10K stipend top up to the Industry Linked PhD for the project duration.
- Be willing to provide a supervisor to work in support of the University supervisor.
Selection Criteria
This program is designed to support existing University/Industry relationships and places increased value on the quality of the relationship. The criteria used to measure each project is as follows:
- Engagement between University & Industry Partner (25%)
- How will this project potentially lead to future collaborations between the University and Industry Partner?
- Are there long-term benefits from this project for the University and Industry Partner?
- Has the University and Industry Partner collaborated on previous projects?
- How committed are the University and Industry Partner to the project’s success and creating an effective working relationship? - Research feasibility and strategic alignment (25%)
- Viability of the project’s design, duration, equipment, and supervisory team(s)/support
- Provision from the Industry Partner’s resources (including staff time) for the project’s design, development, and delivery
Alignment of the project with specified Government priorities - Project impact (25%)
- Demonstrated understanding of how the project will lead to social, economical, technical, cultural and/or environmental impact
- Relevance of the project to the Industry Partner’s commercial or translation opportunity, including the pathways used to encourage the translation of research into impact - Capacity, capability, and resource to support the development of PhD Candidates (25%)
- Suitability of plans to provide the PhD candidate with appropriate professional development including through relevant professional and industry experience
- Resource commitment and support for PhD candidates from the Participating University and Industry Partner
For more details please read the National Industry PhD Assessment Guidelines.
How to apply
The Graduate Research School facilitates Griffith University's applications for the National Industry PhD Program. In 2025 there will be two expression of interest (EOI) rounds. Successful EOI's will be invited to complete a full application for GGRS to endorse and apply for the program. Round 5 & 6 dates are as follows:
Round 5:
- Expression of Interest (EOI) close: 31st January 2025
- Full National Industry PhD applications due: 3rd March 2025
- Application outcomes provided by Department: May/June 2025
Round 6:
- Expression of Interest (EOI) close: June 2025
- Full National Industry PhD applications due: September 2025
- Application outcomes provided by Department: October/November 2025
Step 1: To seek support and approval for your project please complete (with required signatures and attachments) the National Industry PhD Program EOI form and submit it to PhDPartnerships@griffith.edu.au.
Step 2: Once Dean GGRS has approved your EOI, GGRS will provide you with the full application form and relevant documentation to complete.
Step 3: Final applications and letters of intent must be submitted to PhDPartnerships@griffith.edu.au for final approval and to be uploaded to the Department of Education’s application portal.
*Please note applicants can only apply for the program twice. If you are unsuccessful we can consider the project as part of the Griffith Industry PhD Scholarship Scheme, see details above.
CSIRO Industry PhD Program
CSIRO’s Industry PhD (iPhD) Program brings together a university, industry partner and Australia’s leading science agency, CSIRO, to co-develop a four-year industry-focused PhD project. This program is designed for experienced researchers with an existing relationship with CSIRO.
Program Funding & Support
The iPhD program is funded by the Australian Government and the industry partner for up to four years. Funding for each year consists of three components:
- Candidate Scholarship of $47,020 p.a. (2025 rate) comprising of $35,020 p.a. provided by the Government and $12K p.a. provided by the industry partner.
- Project Expense and Development package of approximately $13K p.a. provided by the Government for research operating costs.
- Candidate career and professional development training funding provided by the Government and developed/delivered by CSIRO. Program funding amounts increase annually.
- Access an industry PhD training program aligned to national priorities and funded by Government
- Develop new or strengthen existing relationships with industry and CSIRO
- Enhance innovation and the commercialisation potential of research with industry and CSIRO
- Provide PhD Candidates with an opportunity to develop industry-focused professional skills
- Gain access to CSIRO and industry facilities, infrastructure, and expertise
Projects must:
- align with Australian Government and CSIRO priorities
- address an industry problem while complying with the university’s PhD requirements
- be with an Australian industry partner or an industry partner with an Australian presence
- be limited to domestic Candidates
- include a 60-day Industry Engagement Component, conducting research under the guidance of the industry partner
Academic's must:
- supervise the PhD Candidate for up to four years
- have an existing relationship with industry contact and CSIRO ( where required CSIRO may assist with finding a suitable CSIRO contact for your project)
- provide access to facilities and infrastructure if required for the project
- monitor and assess the Candidate in accordance with the university’s Higher Degree by Research policies.
CSIRO run their Expression of Interest (EOI) application rounds in two phases:
Phase 1 EOI Close: 11th April 2025
Phase 2 EOI Close: 11th August 2025
Step 1: To seek support and approval for your project please complete (with required signatures and attachments) the CSIRO iPhD EOI form and submit it to PhDPartnerships@griffith.edu.au .
Step 2: Once GGRS has approved your EOI, GGRS will provide your details to CSIRO who will be in contact with you. Successful applicants will be asked to complete a full application form by CSIRO.
Projects to commence in early 2026.