Program Overview

Introduction to FAST-IP

The Food and Agriculture Sustainable Technology Innovation Programme (FAST-IP) is a specialist agrifood technology innovation program designed to enable innovation-curious professionals to learn, explore, and apply their entrepreneurial skills for the rapid advancement of market-ready business solutions.

About FAST-IP

FAST-IP is a collaboration between the UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering and NovaUCD, with support from Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority. The program aims to identify unmet needs in the agrifood industry and develop robust solutions through a 12-month, in-person Graduate Diploma program.

Key Features of FAST-IP

• A 12-month, in-person Graduate Diploma program commencing in September
• A tax-free scholarship of 38,000 to participate in the program, with program fees of 9,000 covered for participants
• Access to dedicated mentors and coaches throughout the 12-month program
• Co-working space at the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre with access to a community of founders, mentors, investors, and business partners

Is FAST-IP for You?

FAST-IP is designed for mid-career professionals with 3-5 years of experience and a passionate curiosity for sectors such as:

• Agriculture
• Food
• IT
• Sustainability
• Finance
• Engineering
• Science

Ideal Candidate Profile

Candidates should have an entrepreneurial drive, a desire to start their own business, and a willingness to solve some of the agrifood industry's biggest challenges. They should also want to work with leading experts and mentors in the field and have global ambition.

Join FAST-IP Today

The Graduate Diploma program will guide participants through UCD's Discover-Develop-Deliver methodology for best practice in needs-led innovation. Participants will learn how to discover unmet needs, develop creative ideas or solutions, and deliver these solutions to the market.

Program Structure

• Discover: Identify unmet needs in the agrifood industry
• Develop: Develop a creative idea or solution to an unmet need
• Deliver: Deliver the solution or idea to the market, making it into a viable product, service, or business

Timeline and Application Process

• March: Information webinars, applications open
• April-June: Rolling interviews, places offered
• August: Places accepted
• September: Program commences

Note

FAST-IP participant places are limited, and successful applicants will work within team formats throughout the 12-month program. The program is supported under the Innovators' Initiative Programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme.