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The Food and Agriculture Sustainability Technology Innovation Programme (FAST-IP) is being delivered by University College Dublin (UCD) in partnership with Teagasc. FRS Recruitment recently won the tender to assist with the recruitment process. 



Participants selected for the full time, 12 month programme will receive scholarship of €38,000. It will begin in September and will be delivered at the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre at UCD Lyons Farm in Co. Kildare. The programme will also enable participants to spend 8 – 10 weeks immersed in agricultural environments including farms and food processing companies. 

Those who complete the programme will be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Innovation and Entrepreneurship, accredited at Level 9 on the National Qualifications Framework. 

It is hoped the programme will help foster enterprise and lead to the creation of more high potential start-ups and jobs in the sector. 

The FAST-IP programme forms part of Enterprise Ireland’s Innovators’ Initiative which is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to learn about innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Lynne McCormack, General Manager with FRS Recruitment.

“Anyone who is interested in learning about setting up their own food or agriculture related business and who would like to know more about what is involved, how to get started, how to secure funding, how to build out their products and teams and all the other parts of the entrepreneur’s journey will get all that and more from this programme.

“What’s even more special is they can do all this while still being paid for participating. All those who are selected for the programme will receive an annual stipend of €38,000 over the course of the year.

“The programme has been designed for mid-career professionals who have at least 3 to 5 years’ experience working in a professional setting. Having this type of background will add to the learning of the participants, supporting their effectiveness in fulfilling the programme as well as their post programme activities. Obviously having a keen interest in the food and agriculture sector is also important. 

“This is the type of opportunity that rarely comes along. We would encourage anyone who is interested to reach out to us and we’d be happy to talk to them about all that is involved and how they can apply to participate,” Ms. McCormack concluded.

Anyone wishing to apply to the programme or learn more can register their interest on HERE

FAST-IP 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 2021-2027.