Collaboration within the Doctorate program can take place in three main ways:
Funding for a doctoral scholarship under agreement/internship
The PhD internship program provides funding for scholarships, in agreement with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, linked to specific research projects.
The scholarship recipient will work on a project previously defined by agreement between the University and the funding body. In addition to teaching, seminars, and research activities, this type of doctoral scholarship may include an internship with the funding body under the supervision and support of an academic tutor.
At the start of the courses, a training project will be prepared together with the company and university tutors to define the objectives and stages of the internship.
Commitment to the company/organization
The company/institution undertakes to finance the amount of the scholarship (including administrative costs) and the fund for research activities.
Tax relief
Pursuant to Article 1, paragraph 353 of Law No. 266/2005, funds transferred to universities and university foundations for the financing of research (including scholarships), by way of contribution or donation, are fully deductible from the income of the paying entity (IRES and IRAP entities).
Doctorate in Advanced Apprenticeship
The University of Modena and Reggio Emilia offers doctoral students the opportunity to obtain their degree by following a course of study and research with a high-level apprenticeship training contract, based on the regulatory framework established by the Emilia-Romagna Region with Resolution No. 963 of June 21, 2016. Employment in the company, concurrent with enrollment in the doctoral program, complies with the terms established by the relevant National Collective Labor Agreement.
Requirements for the company and the doctoral student-apprentice
– Companies must have their registered office or place of business (at least one) in Emilia Romagna.
– doctoral students must not be over 30 years of age at the time of hiring and must be admitted to or already enrolled in a doctoral program;
– the duration of the employment contract must not be less than 6 months and must not exceed the standard duration of the program.
The Individual Training Plan (ITP)
The training provided for in the employment contract amounts to 120 hours per year, organized as follows:
– 72 hours of external training (in the Department);
– 48 hours of internal training (in the company)
Internal and external training activities are integrated in order to achieve the learning outcomes of the standard courses and in accordance with the company’s needs. The content and methods of 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 personalized document that meets the needs of the parties involved in the advanced apprenticeship training contract: the company, the doctoral student, and the Department. The Emilia-Romagna Region supports doctoral students in advanced apprenticeships by providing an annual voucher to cover the costs of enrollment in the doctoral program.
For further information, interested companies should send a request for an appointment to the LSI Course Administrative Office (dottorato.giurisprudenza@unimore.it) to find out the timing and procedure to follow.
Activation of an industrial doctorate
Another form of collaboration between universities and the business world is the industrial doctorate, regulated by Article 10 of Ministerial Decree No. 226 of December 14, 2021, which allows companies and institutions (both public and private) to train and strengthen the skills of their employees through a doctoral program.
The training program, which includes both university courses and research activities, is developed in collaboration between the promoter of the industrial doctorate and the Faculty Board so that it is consistent with the research and development activities promoted by the company/institution.
The doctoral student will be supervised by two tutors, one academic and one internal to the promoter, for the entire duration of the doctorate.
The adjective “industrial” is understood in a broad sense, “including all sectors of the private and public labor market, from for-profit companies to public institutions, NGOs, and charitable or cultural institutions” (European Commission 2011).
Requirements
Calls for applications for industrial doctoral positions may specify specific requirements for carrying out research activities, such as interdisciplinarity, membership of international networks, and intersectorality, also taking into account the business sector[1];
Doctoral programs established on the basis of agreements with companies, including foreign companies, that carry out qualified research and development activities may apply for recognition of the “industrial doctorate” qualification.
How to activate an industrial doctorate
To activate an industrial doctorate, it is necessary to sign an agreement with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, where the doctoral program is based.
The agreement stipulates that the promoting entity will finance two doctoral scholarships and the University will finance two more. It is possible to have two external funding entities, each of which can finance one scholarship, but the University’s obligation to finance two scholarships remains unchanged.
Thanks to this agreement, it is possible to allocate a portion of the places advertised for the current academic year to employees of affiliated companies or institutions, who must participate in the competition and who will be eligible to participate after passing the relevant selection process.
The promoter of the industrial doctoral program is expected to be actively involved, with a representative participating in the teaching board.
Tax relief
Pursuant to Article 1, paragraph 353 of Law No. 266/2005, funds transferred to universities and university foundations for the financing of research (including scholarships), by way of contribution or donation, are fully deductible from the income of the paying entity (IRES and IRAP entities).