Calling ambitious innovators who want to shape the future of the Irish food and drink industry

Calling ambitious innovators who want to shape the future of the Irish food and drink industry

Bord Bia and DCU Business School open applications for aspiring innovators to join industry-leading programme

Bord Bia and DCU Business School have opened applications for the next intake of their MSc Insights and Innovation programme which aims to enhance the innovation capabilities within the Irish food, drink and horticultural sector and to fill the existing skills gap in the industry of insight-led innovation management.  The duration of the programme is 15 months full-time (Sept, 2022 to Dec, 2023).

The programme is currently seeking applications from individuals with a demonstrable passion for innovation and a genuine ambition to develop a career within Ireland’s largest indigenous industry.  Irish food and drinks companies with an interest in accelerating new product development can also benefit from having a programme participant join their team for the duration of the course.

This fully funded scholarship programme will combine block-release academic learning with a 12 month industry placement, allowing participants to undertake hands-on innovation projects with leading Irish and international food and drink organisations. 

Michael Murphy, Bord Bia’s Organisation & Industry Talent Director said “The Talent Academy’s partnership with DCU Business School allows us to attract and develop world-class talent in the area of innovation and design thinking which are essential to maintaining our competitive edge on the international stage. The food and drink industry is not just one of Ireland’s biggest employers; it is our biggest indigenous industry and it is an integral part of our economy and society. 

The MSc Insights and Innovation complements our existing suite of Talent Academy programmes which focus on marketing, sustainability and international business and will enable us to expand the industry’s strategic capabilities as we work towards our ambitious growth targets.”

Dr Peter Robbins, Assistant Professor Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Dublin City University said: “We need to professionalise the industry’s approach to insight-led innovation both in terms of NPD and marketing. Shifting consumer patterns and habits alongside emerging technologies and food science, coupled with enterprising companies and individuals make this industry a hotbed of innovation.  The critical issue is, therefore, to ensure that the innovation coming to market is based on insight and creates and captures value.  

To do that requires a professional approach to innovation management and that’s precisely where this programme comes in.  Our vision for this programme is to forge the next generation of world-class innovators to join the food, horticultural and beverage sectors where they will use their creativity, talent and skill to drive sustainable, scalable, profitable and insight-led growth for their host companies and for their industry.”

Application Process

The programme is currently seeking applications from individuals with a passion for innovation and an ambition to develop a career within the Irish food, drink and horticulture industry.  Supported by Bord Bia and industry, successful participants will receive a full scholarship and a tax-free bursary of €28,000 per annum.

Individuals interested in applying can find out more information here. The closing date for applications is April 29th 2022 and the programme will start in September 2022.

More information on Bord Bia can be found at www.bordbia.ie

About the Bord Bia Talent Academy

Bord Bia’s Talent Academy is a unique partnership between Bord Bia and some of Ireland’s most prestigious universities, with participants currently taking part in five distinct programmes located in 15 markets around the world. The Talent Academy offers early to mid-career participants the opportunity to achieve a Master’s level qualification while gaining Irish and international work experience.

The Talent Academy offers 5 separate programmes:

• MSc. Insights and Innovation
• MSc. Supply Chain & Account Management
• MSc. International Business
• MSc. Marketing Practice (Bord Bia Marketing Fellowship)
• MSc. Business Sustainability (Origin Green Ambassadors)