With strategic locations in both France and California, the program is adapted to the busy lives of professionals and academics.
Are you interested in producing research that can significantly enhance current business practices or enact meaningful change? Earn a Doctorate of Business Administration from leading triple-accredited business school, Grenoble Ecole de Management.
Our international DBA program focuses on high-quality research that bridges the gap between business and academia.
Designed for executives and professionals seeking to excel in applied research, this program offers participants the support necessary to publish scholarship that impacts business and society.
Participating in a world-class DBA program also opens new doors for professionals seeking to transition towards academic careers.
Come share with us your passion for solving real-world challenges.
The DBA Profile
Recruitment for this doctoral business program is on a worldwide basis. Our doctorate in business students come from a wide variety of countries and career backgrounds. Students may have experience in various areas of study such as the sciences, humanities, technical, and engineering fields.
Applicants have usually attained a high level of professional achievement and are either managers and executives with advanced degrees in business disciplines or professionally qualified instructors who work in business schools.
Program Highlights
Excellence in Research:
In addition to our triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS), this his top, accredited doctoral degree is an AACSB-recognized terminal degree for future faculty. With more than 1,400 intellectual contributions to business practices, our DBA alumni have created a significant impact in numerous fields.
A Global Community of Scholars:
With DBA locations in France and the USA, Grenoble Ecole de Management continues to build an active international network that includes more than 500 DBA alumni.
A Program Made for Executives:
The DBA program is organized into seminars, conferences and research activities taking place mostly online. Coursework and content is delivered according to a part-time schedule that meets the needs and constraints of working professionals.
Dedicated Services for DBA Students:
- Statistical and specialized software
- Extensive e-library services
- Business and social sciences databases
- Online scholarly and professional journals
Faculty & Supervision:
Our international faculty is comprised of industry experts and is strongly engaged in producing world-class research.
Benefit from the support of an experienced, research-active supervisor from Day 1 of the program.
Academic Directors
Doctoral School Director: Dr. Vassili Joannidès de Lautour
DBA France Academic Director: Dr. Dima Louis
A Word from the Academic Director
"The DBA journey is a life-changing and transforming experience. You will develop research, professional and personal skills that will allow you to make intellectual contributions to your field of research, and make a real managerial, organizational, and/or societal impact. You will learn from, and engage with our international research faculty members, in addition to developing long-lasting relationships with other students and members of our global alumni network. As a proud GEM DBA graduate myself, the DBA transformed my career and changed the way I approach both managerial and societal issues. I look forward to welcoming you to our DBA program, and to be part of your unique DBA journey". - Prof. Dima Louis, Academic Director - DBA FranceLearn more about our faculty:
Faculty Directory
Training Seminars & Workshops
Participants are invited to attend an introductory workshop at our home campus in Grenoble, France. All other workshops will be held mostly online for the convenience of busy executives with a workshop mid-program in Paris.
(See dropdown menu for schedule)
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Seminars & Workshops Schedule for 2021 Intake*:
*Program content and dates subject to change
**Workshops may be adapted to a hybrid structure (offered both in-person and live online) depending on global travel conditions**Seminar 1: Introduction & Welcome
November 15-19, 2021 - GRENOBLEOnline Workshop 1: Implementing the Research Proposal
January 17, 2022 - ONLINE**Seminar 2: Research Design & Literature Review
March 22-25, 2022 - ONLINE**Seminar 3: Research Methods (Qualitative or Quantitative)
October 10-14, 2022 - PARISOnline Workshop 2: Preparing the Dissertation Proposal
December 5, 2022 - ONLINEOnline Workshop 3: Preparing the Dissertation Proposal Defense
February 20, 2023 - ONLINESeminar 4: Advanced Research Methods (Qualitative or Quantitative)
March 7-9, 2023 - ONLINEOnline Workshop 4: The Road to Final Defense
April 3, 2023 - ONLINEOnline Workshop 5: Academic Writing Skills
July 10, 2023 - ONLINEOnline Workshop 6: Theoretical Contribution & Impact
October 9, 2023 – 5pm - ONLINEOnline Workshop 7: Managerial Contribution & Impact
February 12, 2024 - ONLINEOnline Workshop 8: Communicating your Research
June 24, 2024 - ONLINE
Admission Requirements
Academic Qualifications
- Candidates should hold or expect to hold a Master's degree in management (MBA, MA, MSc or equivalent) or in a related discipline from an accredited institution.
Professional Experience
- Candidates should have at least five years of professional managerial experience either pre- or post-Master's degree.
Language Requirements
- All of the DBA workshops are conducted in English.
- GMAT or other English tests are not requested, however, English abilities will be evaluated by the Program Director during the interview.
Acceptance to the Program
- Acceptance will be based on a preliminary interview with the Program Directors, in person or by video call/telephone call once all application materials have been received.
- Final decision will be made by an Admissions Board.
Application
Please use our application system to provide your complete information.
Required Application Documents
- Research manifesto: present your research proposal and your motivations to join the program.
- Updated CV
- Copies of diplomas and transcripts
- 2 references (when possible 1 academic/1 business referee). Reference are to be emailed to jinnie.hoine@grenoble-em.com
Download Forms
- Research manifesto (download or access via application system)
- Reference form (download or access via application system)
- Program info & application guidelines
Rolling Application Deadlines*
Applications for our 2021 cohort are now closed.
We receive applications for our 2022 cohort from December.
*Notification and acceptance packages are generally sent about two weeks after each deadline.
Program Start Date: November 15
(please note that the DBA has one intake per year)
Program Fees
| Year 1* | 17 000 € |
| Year 2* | 17 000 € |
| Year 3* | 16 000 € |
*A deposit of one-third of the (first year) tuition fee must be paid upon registration.
In addition to these fees, students are responsible for all travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs required to attend the program workshops.
Additional fees apply to 4+ years.
Financial Aid
- Excellence & Topic-based scholarships: available for early applicants upon request, profile pending. Priority given to early applicants. Scholarship essay must be sent along with application. Offer applies to first 3 rounds of deadlines and will not be extended past July 8. Contact us for details.
- Alumni scholarship: If you are GEM alumni (BIB, MSc, PGE, MIB, MBA), we offer a special discount on the DBA tuition fees.