Bridging Academia and Industry: Global Practices of Industrial PhD Programs and Pathways for Russian Adaptation

In the context of intensifying global technological competition and the imperative of achieving scientific and technological sovereignty for the Russian Federation, the exploration of novel formats for training highly qualified personnel assumes critical significance. One promising trajectory in this domain is the Industrial PhD — a framework designed to conduct research in the service of industrial needs, with active collaboration between universities and businesses, underpinned by state support. This model offers a means to bridge the institutional divide between academic research and the applied challenges of the real economy, thereby fostering knowledge transfer and enhancing the innovation capacities of enterprises. This article provides a comprehensive overview of international experiences with Industrial PhD programs, drawing on an analysis of over sixty programs across nineteen countries. We synthesize a range of organizational and financial models, and identify institutional preconditions essential for the sustainability of such programs: tripartite agreements among the university, the industrial partner, and the doctoral candidate; mechanisms of co-funding; systems of dual academic supervision; and flexible arrangements governing intellectual property. Particular attention is devoted to mapping the barriers and challenges encountered by program participants — such as divergent goal-setting between academic and corporate sectors, conflicting expectations, administrative burdens, and risks to academic autonomy. Furthermore, this article outlines potential pathways for adapting the Industrial PhD model in the Russian context. Key conditions for successful implementation are examined: the launch of pilot initiatives at leading technical universities; the development of a robust legal framework to support tripartite interaction; and the institutionalization of state support mechanisms.