News & Blog

Contact: Emily Piper
Marketing Communications Director, UIDP
emilyp@uidp.net
(803) 530-1447

COLUMBIA, S.C. — July 29, 2026 — UIDP announced today the launch of a new pilot program designed to strengthen U.S. doctoral education by integrating long-term industry research experience into PhD training for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students across the United States. The pilot is co-funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. National Science Foundation Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate (TIP), an investment that will be complemented by funding from companies and universities participating in the program. The UIDP Industry-Integrated PhD (I-PhD) Scholars Program will support four years of doctoral education for up to 250 students.

The pilot addresses a significant gap in U.S. doctoral education: Although many STEM PhD graduates pursue careers outside academia, most doctoral programs train students to work in universities. They offer limited exposure to industrial research environments, cross-sector collaboration, and the translation of research into practical outcomes. A hallmark of the UIDP I-PhD Scholars Program is the requirement that students spend at least one year, in aggregate, conducting dissertation research at a company site. This experience enables STEM PhD students to develop the skills and expertise needed to succeed in industry, academia, and other research environments.

“U.S. doctoral education produces exceptional researchers, but many students have limited exposure to the environments where research is translated into products and services,” said Anthony Boccanfuso, UIDP president and CEO. “This pilot will test a model that responds to market needs and better connects discovery research with application and societal benefit.”

The pilot will also evaluate how shared funding can expand capacity for doctoral education. Under the model, universities, companies, and NSF will each contribute to student support, expanding the nation’s capacity for long-term investment in the U.S. research workforce.

“P&G has successfully partnered with universities and governments around the world to integrate PhD researchers into our innovation organizations, creating value for academia, students, and industry,” said Lee Ellen Drechsler, senior vice president of corporate R&D for Procter & Gamble. “The UIDP Industry-Integrated PhD Scholars program brings this proven model to the U.S., giving doctoral students the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges co-advised by academic and industry experts who are dedicated to accelerating innovation, developing future scientific leaders, and expanding opportunities for top STEM talent.”

The UIDP I-PhD Scholars Program aligns directly with the NSF TIP Directorate’s mission to advance use-inspired and translational research across science and engineering while supporting pathways into high-wage STEM careers. The program will connect doctoral research with industry priorities, strengthen university-industry partnerships, and help build a workforce prepared to move discoveries toward practical use.

An independent evaluation will assess program implementation, student outcomes, and other factors. Insights from the pilot will inform future adoption and scaling of industry-integrated doctoral models in the United States.

In preparation for launch, UIDP has received letters of interest from dozens of university-industry partners across a range of geographies, institutional types, and technical fields. The first student cohort is expected to begin in fall 2026, with additional cohorts in subsequent years. Additional university-industry partners are invited to learn more and express their interest via the program website.

“Recognizing that 50% to 90% of STEM PhD students pursue private sector careers, this new model updates our 75-year-old training convention by supporting graduate students as they engage with industry cultures, develop transferable skills, and leverage AI to solve today’s most urgent problems,” said Michael Oakes, executive vice president for research and economic development at Case Western Reserve University. “This innovative approach empowers graduates to become agile and impactful leaders throughout their careers, effectively bridging discovery with industry and national success.”

The UIDP I-PhD Scholars Program was developed through listening sessions, broad community input, and insights gathered through the Expanding STEM PhD Funding Streams project. It represents the first pilot launched through UIDP’s Strengthen and Modernize Initiative (SAMI). Introduced in 2024, SAMI is a global call to action to improve the effectiveness of cross-sector, collaborative research and innovation.

View Video: The UIDP I-PhD Scholars Industry-Integrated PhD

Join Our Upcoming Webinar

Join UIDP on September 3, 2026, from 1-2 p.m. ET for an informational webinar with the latest information on the UIDP Industry-Integrated PhD (I-PhD) Scholars Program. Since its launch, the innovative project has generated significant interest from universities, industry, and other organizations committed to strengthening STEM doctoral education. This webinar will cover the next steps as the national pilot forms the inaugural cohort of university-industry partnerships.

The webinar is open to UIDP members and nonmembers at no cost, but advance registration is required and subject to approval.

UIDP I-PhD Scholars Program Office Hours | Open Q&A Sessions

Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 2–3 p.m. ET
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 2–3 p.m. ET
Thursday, October 1, 2026 | 2–3 p.m. ET
Thursday, October 15, 2026 | 2–3 p.m. ET

UIDP members and non-members are invited to join ongoing virtual office hours sessions for the UIDP Industry-Integrated PhD (I-PhD) Scholars Program. Facilitated by UIDP President and CEO Tony Boccanfuso, these informal sessions provide an opportunity to ask questions about the I-PhD application process, explore the program in greater depth, and discuss other topics relevant to participation.

Office hours will be held on the first and third Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. ET.

Bring your thoughts and questions, and join peers across the community for an open, practical discussion about the UIDP I-PhD Scholars Program and how your institution or organization can engage. To foster candid conversation, the session will be live, conducted under the Chatham House Rule, and will not be available on demand.

Agenda Highlights:

• I-PhD Application Process: Get answers to questions about the application process,
  requirements, and next steps.
• Program Participation: Explore how institutions, organizations, and individuals can engage with
  the I-PhD Scholars Program.
• Open Q&A and Discussion: Bring your questions, ideas, and other I-PhD topics to discuss with
  Tony Boccanfuso and the broader community.

This free town hall series is open to UIDP members and non-members. Registration is required and subject to approval.

To stay up to date on the lates UIDP I-PhD information, sign up to I-PhD Informed and get program updates sent to your inbox.

About UIDP

UIDP is a solutions-oriented global forum where academic and industry representatives find better ways to work together. Our membership, comprising top-tier innovation companies and world-class research universities, identifies issues affecting university-industry relations and seeks new approaches to partnership and collaboration. Together, we produce tools and resources to help members make a greater impact. We don’t just talk about problems. We solve them. Learn more at uidp.org.

Statements of Support

From individuals serving on the UIDP I-PhD Scholars Program Advisory Board. See the full Advisory Board here.

“Closer alignment between PhD programs and industry ensures research is grounded in real-world agricultural challenges—accelerating the translation of discovery into field-ready solutions. It also strengthens the talent pipeline by developing scientists who are not only technically excellent but prepared to operate in industry environments and drive impact from day one.”

—Phil Taylor, director of Ecosystem Development, Bayer 

“UIDP has facilitated a truly collaborative effort between universities and industry to bring skilled doctoral engineers into industrial roles. The UIDP I-PhD Scholars Program creates a more immersive experience for PhD students than we’ve had before, while combining funding from different sources so companies can positively impact more students than they could on their own. I’m also impressed by how the program was designed with input from hundreds of university and industry representatives, considering key hurdles to success on the front end—which gives me confidence that the pilot will be successful.”

—Brian Warner, manager, U.S.  University Liaison, Rolls-Royce

“Bridging academia and industry is essential to developing the workforce needed for the future of innovation. The UIDP I-PhD initiative is a powerful model for preparing doctoral students with both technical depth and real-world experience—accelerating their ability to drive impact from day one. At Synopsys, we see this model as critical to strengthening the global semiconductor talent pipeline and ensuring the next generation of researchers is prepared to lead in an increasingly complex, industry-driven ecosystem.”

—Patrick Haspel, executive director – Academic & Research Alliances, Synopsys

“The UIDP Industry-Integrated PhD Scholars program is imperative because to have an impact in the world, our PhDs must understand the real-world context in which they are building new science and engineering solutions. When I was getting my PhD at MIT, it was sponsored by IBM, and my trips to Almaden Research Center were invaluable to setting the direction of my career, which has been focused on technology commercialization. Inventors like Joseph Swan, who invented the light bulb, cannot change the world without engineers like Thomas Edison, who understand how to navigate the real world to commercialize these critical innovations. Programs like the I-PhD Scholars program will help to seed the next generation of Edisons to come.”

—Vanessa Chan, vice dean of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, University of Pennsylvania

“The UIDP I-PhD model aligns closely with Samsung’s commitment to developing the next generation of research talent. Sustained collaboration between universities and industry gives doctoral students valuable experience applying cutting-edge research to real-world challenges while building the skills needed to thrive across academic and industrial settings.”

—Thyaga Nandagopal, head of Emerging Technologies, Samsung Research America