The programme Industrial graduate schools gives universities the opportunity to create graduate schools with industrial graduate students from the business sector.
Many parts of the business sector are currently facing complex challenges that require advanced research and development. This creates an increased demand for research-trained competence as well as research that takes place in collaboration between academia and the business sector.
The objective of the programme Industrial graduate schools is to contribute to more individuals with a doctoral degree and to strengthen research capacity in subject areas of strategic importance for the research and education environment, the participating business partners, and the wider business sector.
The programme aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the business sector through enhanceing competence, and to enable research and education environments to develop and strengthen their research activities over the long term.
The programme provides funding to establish and operate an industrial graduate school in close collaboration with industry. Each Industrial graduate school must include a minimum of six students and may comprise the equivalent of up to 15 doctoral degrees (two licentiate degrees are considered equivalent to one doctoral degree).
As a general principle, the students should be employed by the participating companies. The study workload should be planned to cover no more than 80 percent of full-time working hours, with the remaining time dedicated to duties within the company.
An existing Industrial graduate school may apply for additional funding in a second application round, referred to as Industrial graduate schools+.
Applicants: Universities within the Knowledge Foundation’s target group. The programme can be carried out in collaboration between research and educational environments at several institutions. Read more about the universities we support.
Co-funding requirements: The total co-funding from industry partners must correspond to at least the amount requested from the Knowledge Foundation. Criteria for co-financing business actors.
Maximum funding amount: SEK 33 million (SEK 2.2 million per doctoral degree, SEK 1.1 million per licentiate degree).
Project duration: 6 years, but the study period for an individual doctoral student is a maximum of 5 years.
Applications are submitted through our application and reporting system, SBS Manager. The application period opens on 10 September 2026.
