13 April 2025

€38,000 tax-free scholarship available to agri-food innovators

Applications are now invited for the second Food and Agriculture Sustainable Innovation Programme (FAST-IP), which begins in September.

Twelve places are available on the full-time, 12-month, in-person programme, aimed at mid-career professionals. This programme provides participants with a €38,000 tax-free scholarship during the programme and is delivered by the UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, in partnership with Teagasc, at the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at UCD Lyons Farm in Co. Kildare.

FAST-IP provides participants with the skills necessary to evaluate, select and validate ideas for new products and services in the agrifood sector, and to accelerate the commercialisation pathway of these ideas.

Edel Mitchell, Programme Manager, FAST-IP, said: “This a wonderful opportunity for mid-career professionals to embrace their entrepreneurial ambitions and develop market led solutions to real problems experienced by the global agrifood sector.

“The practical needs led innovation process enables participants to deep dive and forensically understand pressing challenges for the agrifood sector and build innovative solutions.

“If you are interested in embarking on this journey and leveraging the unparalleled access to industry experts, mentorship and cross sectoral immersive opportunities I would encourage you to apply for the FAST-IP programme,” Edel Mitchell said.

Dr Siobhán Jordan, Head of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, Teagasc, said: “FAST-IP aims to position Ireland as a global innovator in AgTech and food systems by fostering the creation of high-potential start-ups, scalable businesses and sustainable solutions that address challenges in areas including, climate change, food security, productivity and economic diversification.

“We are now seeking applications from mid-career individuals who are interested in embarking on this cutting-edge, immersive programme to create innovative, sustainable agri-food solutions with expert mentorship and entrepreneurial training by UCD and Teagasc.”

FAST-IP is accredited by UCD at Level 9 on the National Qualifications Framework and participants who complete the programme will be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Agrifood, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Professor Nick Holden, Professor of Biosystems Engineering in the UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering is the Academic Director of the Graduate Diploma Programme.

For further information and to apply for the next FAST-IP Programme, visit here.