URL: https://uidp.org/i-phd-scholars/

Objectives

The UIDP Industry-Integrated PhD (I-PhD) Scholars Program is a U.S. pilot designed to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) doctoral education by integrating sustained industry research experience into dissertation-based PhD training. The program provides 4 years of coordinated doctoral support through shared investment by participating university-industry partnerships, with additional co-funding support from the NSF. The goal of the program is to better align doctoral education with the realities of today’s research and innovation ecosystem and growing demand for PhD talent across sectors. Participating students receive joint mentorship from academic and industry researchers and spend at least one year, in aggregate, conducting dissertation-integrated research at an industry site.

This internal call for proposals is to identify faculty who are interested in proposing a university-industry partnership for the pilot program for the Fall 2026 or Fall 2027 cohorts, which are accepted and reviewed by UIDP on a rolling basis.

At this stage, faculty are asked to direct potential industry partnership opportunities to OCRC by submitting their application in response to this call before initiating outreach with an industry partner.

Applications to the UIDP I-PhD Scholars Program are nonbinding and do not constitute a financial commitment. The application process is intended to help UIDP assess organizational readiness and alignment with the goals, structure, and participation requirements of the program.

Funding Information

4 years of doctoral funding through a shared investment model involving the participating university and industry partner, with additional NSF co-funding.

Year 1 funding: This is the responsibility of the university, through any funding mechanism deemed appropriate by the university.

Years 2-4 funding: $37,000 student stipend, $16,000 cost of education allowance, and $22,000 ancillary expenses ($75,000 total per student).

Eligibility

A university-industry partnership may support more than one student through the program, provided the participating organizations are able to meet the program’s participation expenses, mentorship requirements, and funding commitments for each student supported through the pilot.

Eligible industry participants may include:

  • Large companies
  • Small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
  • Other organizations capable of supporting dissertation-integrated industry
  • Nonprofit research institutes
  • University-affiliated startups – provided any potential conflicts of interests are managed in accordance with the University’s standard internal policies and procedures

Individual PhD students are not eligible to apply directly and will be identified by participating partnerships following acceptance into the program.

Eligible research projects must fall within NSF-supported fields:

  • Chemistry
  • Computer and information sciences & engineering
  • Engineering
  • Geosciences
  • Life sciences
  • Materials research
  • Mathematical sciences
  • Physics & astronomy
  • Psychology
  • Social sciences
  • STEM education and learning research

Internal Selection Process

There is no formal limit on the number of partnerships in which a university, company, or other participating organization may participate.

This internal call is to connect faculty applicants with the relevant offices, such as the Corporate Research and Contracting (OCRC), who will submit applications to UIDP on their behalf. At this stage, faculty are asked to direct potential industry partnership opportunities to OCRC before initiating outreach.

Interested applicants should submit the following information via InfoReady Review by 8/21/2026:

  • Information about the proposed industry partner
  • Summary of the collaboration research area (1-2 sentences) providing some insight on the anticipated collaboration and why you are interested in participating in the program

OCRC will be submitting applications for this program on behalf of faculty. If you have questions about this opportunity or the rolling deadline, please reach out to the Office of Corporate Research and Contracting (engagebu@bu.edu).

Deadlines

Internal Materials Due: Friday, August 21, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET

NOTE: Applications are accepted by UIDP on a rolling basis throughout the next 6 months. However, applications will be reviewed and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

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