International Health Research Institute

International Health Research Institute
Menu

Sponsorship Brief

Employer Sponsorship | Doctoral School | IHRI
Doctoral School — Pillar I

Employer
Sponsorship.

This page is for organisations considering sponsoring a senior leader through the IHRI Doctor of Health Science — an accredited MQF/EQF Level 8 professional doctorate delivered entirely online.

The DHS is a rigorous academic qualification. When a candidate's research is focused on a real problem within your organisation, the doctoral process generates evidence-based findings that are directly applicable to your operational context.

How it works

Applied research within your organisation

01

The candidate proposes a research topic

The doctoral thesis is applied research — not a theoretical exercise. Candidates typically focus on a systemic challenge within their own organisation: a quality improvement problem, a service design question, or a leadership and implementation gap. You can work with your candidate to frame the research topic before they apply.

02

The programme runs alongside their role

The DHS is delivered 100% online with asynchronous taught modules, meaning candidates continue in their current post throughout. The programme is structured for experienced practitioners — it is designed to complement, not compete with, an active senior role.

03

The research findings belong to your organisation

Because the doctoral project is conducted within your operational context and uses your data and environment, the evidence generated — the protocols, frameworks, and evaluated interventions — can be directly implemented. Intellectual property arrangements should be clarified between sponsor and candidate before enrolment.

04

Academic supervision is independent

IHRI assigns an academic supervisory team to the candidate. The supervisor's role is to ensure the research meets doctoral-level academic standards. The sponsoring organisation's role is to provide operational context, access, and support — not to direct the academic work.

For the sponsoring organisation

What sponsorship typically involves

Programme fees

The sponsoring organisation covers tuition fees, either in full or in part. Fee schedules are provided on request during the admissions process.

Protected study time

The DHS requires consistent part-time commitment alongside employment. Organisations that formally protect study time within their candidate's working pattern tend to see better completion outcomes.

Access to data and context

Where the doctoral project is conducted within your organisation, appropriate data access and operational cooperation are needed. Governance arrangements for research within a clinical or organisational setting will need to be agreed in advance.

Sponsorship agreement

IHRI can provide a standard sponsorship letter template. Organisations with specific requirements regarding IP, confidentiality, or repayment terms should discuss these with the candidate and confirm arrangements before the enrolment deadline.

Programme details

Doctor of Health Science

Award Doctor of Health Science (DHS)
Level MQF/EQF Level 8 — highest level of the European Qualifications Framework
Accreditation Accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA). Licence No: 2025-004
Delivery 100% online, asynchronous — no fixed attendance required
Duration Typically 48–60 months part-time alongside employment
Structure Taught modules in implementation science, research methods, and quality improvement, followed by an applied doctoral thesis
Important note The DHS does not lead to a warranted profession or regulated occupation. Candidates should verify any professional registration implications with their relevant regulatory body.

R&D expenditure classification

In some jurisdictions, sponsoring applied doctoral research conducted within an organisation may qualify as R&D expenditure for tax purposes, rather than standard staff training. This is determined by your local tax authority and the specifics of the research project. We recommend organisations seek independent tax advice on this point — IHRI is not in a position to advise on your organisation's tax position.

Get in touch

Discuss a sponsorship arrangement

If you are considering sponsoring a candidate or would like to discuss how the DHS research process could be scoped around your organisation's needs, contact the Doctoral School directly.

Contact the Doctoral School

Regulatory note

The International Health Research Institute (IHRI) is licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) as a Higher Education Institution (Licence No: 2025-004). The Doctor of Health Science (DHS) is formally accredited by the MFHEA as an MQF/EQF Level 8 higher education programme. IHRI academic programmes do not lead to a warranted profession or related regulated occupation. Candidates and sponsoring organisations should consult the relevant professional regulatory body in their jurisdiction regarding any implications for professional registration or practice.