The PhD Apprenticeship Programme is a particular path that combines Doctorate and Apprenticeship, University and Business. Companies and institutions can employ recent graduates aged between 18 and 29 who, at the same time, carry out a research project shared between the company and the university thanks to the tools and training resources of the University. 

The PhD programme in apprenticeship format represents an opportunity for the companies to conduct research and employ young talents, while for universities it represents a new channel to establish steady partnerships with local companies and to contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the productive system. 

Companies that employ young talents within a PhD apprenticeship Programme are entitled to tax relief, as outlined in the Legislative Decree 81/15. On 4 April 2016, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region approved a memorandum of understanding with social partners and training institutions in order to promote higher education and research apprenticeship in which it establishes the duration of the apprenticeship training period.