PhD by Innovation

The PhD by Innovation is a research graduate programme that offers doctoral candidates an opportunity to pursue research in innovation-driven fields, while emphasising commercialisation-ready ideas and real-world impact.

It centres around addressing unmet technological, economic or societal needs with technology. The aim of the research is to develop original solutions that can be disclosed and filed as intellectual property (IP). Candidates will also learn the fundamentals of venture creation and entrepreneurship.

The programme maintains the same level of academic rigour in planning and execution as regular PhD programmes. It includes a Graduate Research and Innovation Trek (GRIT) Integrated Project (CAI 8001, a 6-credit-unit course) to offer the students an immersive and intensive experience, providing them with valuable opportunities to engage in entrepreneurial activities, collaborate with industrial partners, and develop essential skills in technology transfer and commercialisation, including developing business proposals that are ready to pitch for venture funding.

The programme is administered primarily by the CityU Academy of Innovation (CAI), with academic processes supported by the home department of the Chief Supervisor. Industrial advisors from companies and organisations outside CityU are also assigned to each student. While the academic supervisors will oversee the research direction of the students, the industrial advisors will provide guidance and support, nurturing the students to transfer their innovative ideas into sustainable ventures and successfully commercialise their research outcomes. They will be ready to establish deep-tech start-ups upon graduation.

Candidates may opt for the PhD by Innovation when applying for a regular PhD programme in CityU’s Colleges, Schools or Departments.

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Coursework Requirements

• 17 credit units include the following:
• a 6-credit-unit GRIT Integrated Project (CAI8001), offered by CAI;
• at least 9 credit units of core courses;
• at least 2 credit units of research methodology and ethics courses at the postgraduate level; and
• a compulsory 1-credit-unit course: Teaching Students: First Steps (SG8001)

The GRIT Integrated Project (CAI 8001) must be taken after the student passes the qualifying examination. Colleges, Schools and Departments must agree to incorporate the 3 credit units of electives into the GRIT Integrated Project if they are participating in the supervision of the PhD by Innovation programme.

Application by Current CityU PhD Students

Current CityU PhD students who wish to apply for PhD by Innovation, please complete and submit the application form (CAI01) to CAI for approval and processing.

Application Form CAI01

General Enquiries
Email: cai@cityu.edu.hk