Applications Open for Second Specialist Agrifood Innovation Programme at UCD Lyons Farm
University College Dublin (UCD) and Teagasc have today announced that applications are now open for the second Food and Agriculture Sustainable Technology Innovation Programme (FAST-IP) which begins this September.
FAST-IP, a specialist agrifood technology innovation programme, 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.
Aligned with Ireland’s national agrifood strategy, Food Vision 2030, FAST-IP also aims to support establishing Ireland as a leader in sustainable food systems by balancing climate-smart agriculture, environmental and economic sustainability, and innovation.
Participants on the inaugural programme, which ends in August, are currently developing business plans for new market ready innovations in areas ranging from soil health, food allergens, pest control and bioeconomy.
Twelve (12) places are available on the full-time, 12-month, in-person programme, aimed at mid-career professionals, which 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 a €38,000 tax-free scholarship during the programme.
Pictured at the far left are Zara Lonergan and Anton Pluschke, Enterprise Ireland and at the far right James Healy and Karen Dawson, Teagasc with participants in the inaugural FAST-IP programme
Edel Mitchell, Programme Manager, FAST-IP, said, “We are delighted to open applications for our second FAST-IP programme. This is 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 unparallelled access to industry experts, mentorship and cross sectoral immersive opportunities I would encourage you to apply for the FAST-IP programme.”
FAST-IP uses design-thinking methodologies and has a practical focus. Through the programme participants, working in teams, learn how to conduct needs-led innovation to develop market validated solutions to unmet needs in the areas of agricultural technology and food sustainability sectors. Participants also spend 8-10 weeks immersed in agricultural environments including farms, food processing companies, and Teagasc locations throughout the 12-month programme.
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.
The FAST-IP programme, running until the end of 2029, forms part of Enterprise Ireland’s Innovators’ Initiative which is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
UCD and Teagasc have strong reputations for academic and research excellence in the areas of Sustainable Food Systems, Agriculture, and Food Science, and are utilising their extensive networks, connections, domain expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and track-record for supporting, fostering and spinning out start-ups to deliver the FAST-IP programme.
The AgTechUCD Innovation Centre, which is part of NovaUCD, is focused on promoting and accelerating early-stage start-ups and SMEs with disruptive innovations in the agri, agtech, agrifood, equine and veterinary sectors, as they build their innovative businesses into leading enterprises creating jobs.
FAST-IP is supported under the Innovators’ Initiative Programme co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027.
For further information and to apply for the next FAST-IP programme visit: https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/fast-ip/
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ENDS
3 April 2025
For further information contact Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie.
Editors Notes
For further information about Innovators’ Initiative visit https://globalambition.ie/innovators-initiative/
FAST-IP participants will be trained how to Discover unmet needs, how to Develop an idea to an unmet need and bring an idea to a go/no go point quickly and efficiently, and lastly how to Deliver a solution or idea to market, making it into a viable product, service, or business. https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/fast-ip/