The MSc in Design Innovation (food) is an intensive, action-oriented, award-winning Masters’ in design thinking* and innovation. It is intended to develop world class innovation capability in people and in companies like yours. This year will see the first cohort of 10 innovation champions begin the programme. They will be either hosted in participating companies or will be an existing company employee and will work closely with the marketing and R&D team to help develop a future-proofed, insight-led innovation roadmap with them. The first step in their interaction with you is an innovation audit that measures the climate for innovation across a number of areas and this helps the student and the company focus on the things that matter most.
MscDI(f) Sponsoring Company Information
What you'll be getting
- The development of a member of your team who is committed to a career in new product development in your industry and working with your business for up to 20 month
- Financial co-funding at 50% of the cost of Registration, Tuition, MSc. And related materials.
- They will be supported by an accomplished Programme Manager who will work with your company to embed the learning and ensure your company derives business growth from the programme.
- The support of Bord Bia and the Thinking House, along with Maynooth University’s Department of Design Innovation
Who can apply?
All Irish food, drink and horticulture companies. Companies must manufacture in Ireland and must be committed to Origin Green
Key Requirements
Independent sponsoring company
- Must be Irish owned/run with produce sourced from ROI
- Must have manufacturing facilities based in ROI
- Must be in process of and/or Origin Green verified
- Must be willing to incur co-fund the candidate with Bord Bia to the tune of 50% of registration, tuition, MSc. and related costs.
- Company must have opportunity for an innovation career path within their structure & evidence of same
- Must commit to 20mth programme & support the participant during this time within Innovation/Insight led department/function in the Organisation
- Be willing to facilitate tuition attendance in Maynooth for up to 6 days per month.
What assignments do the students typically complete?
The Maynooth University MSc in Design Innovation has been in existence for three years and during that time, we have completed major projects with leading organisations in Ireland. The projects usually involve developing an innovation strategy; building an innovation capability; developing an innovation culture or, simply, creating a portfolio of novel, original, insight-led ideas to launch on domestic and international markets. Topics include:
- Innovation Management
- Design Thinking
- Consumer Innovation Adoption
- Entrepreneurship
- Global Marketing
- Applied Innovation Lab
- Managing Brexit
- Design Ethnography
- Brand Strategy and Development Market
- Consumer Research Techniques
Is there a cost?
Sponsoring companies who invest in an existing staff member to take part in this programme will derive significant benefit from the programme over the 20 month term. The executive will be professionally supported by a dedicated programme manager as well as by Maynooth University’s faculty and Bord Bia.
Sponsoring client companies will be asked to make a contribution of 50% of the costs of the programme over the two years to include Registration, Tuition, MSc. and related Materials.
Application Process
- Companies must submit an application online. This application process is now open online, please click on the link below to get started
Sponsoring Company Expression of Interest - Priority will be given to companies who are committed to insight-led innovation and have considerable export growth potential.
- Proposals will be reviewed by an evaluation panel and candidate companies will be confirmed by December 1st, 2017