DigiBio Healthtech Innovation Programme Offers €38,000, Mentorship & Real-World Experience

The DigiBio Healthtech Innovation Programme, designed to cultivate the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs in the rapidly evolving health and wellbeing sectors, is now accepting applications for the third year of its ground-breaking innovation programme. Only 12 exceptional individuals from diverse backgrounds will be selected. Those who are passionate about innovation and delivering real impact are encouraged to apply.

Hosted and managed by Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) in partnership with core partner RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin and Tyndall National Institute, this transformative 10-month full-time postgraduate programme commences in September 2026.

Programme Highlights:

€38,000 Scholarship: participants will receive €38,000 tax-free to participate in the programme

Expert Mentorship: participants will get invaluable guidance from experienced clinical, industry, investment and technology professionals

Comprehensive Training: hands-on training in needs-led innovation, design thinking and entrepreneurship will be provided

Direct Access to Healthcare Environments: participants will spend up to 8 weeks in a healthcare environment identifying real healthcare problems to address

Exploration of Commercial Opportunities: participants will be supported in developing and validating viable business propositions.

The programme has attracted participants from a wide range of backgrounds, including GPs, nurses, physiotherapists, software engineers, digital health designers, medical device engineers, entrepreneurs, accountants and digital transformation managers. Participants have progressed to establish digital health opportunities in the areas of dementia, inflammatory bowel disease, effective urine capture and alopecia amongst others.

Ava O’Flynn, a past participant of the DigiBio Healthtech Innovation Programme from Cork, said:

“I wrapped up the DigiBio Healthtech Innovation Programme last summer, gaining deep insight into the Stanford Biodesign process and an MSc in Health Technology Innovation, alongside meeting some of the most impressive people.

“Since then, I’ve joined the team at Santegic as a Health Technology Advisor, working on impactful projects in the digital health space.

“At the same time, myself and a fellow programme participant, Padraig McGirr, have been working to address a clinical need we identified in Gastroenterology during the programme. I’m delighted to say that we have secured Commercialisation Funding from Enterprise Ireland, and are now focused on building something that can genuinely make a difference for patients.

“Thank you to everyone who helped get us here; the DigiBio team, the team at Santegic for their ongoing support, and the fantastic collaborators at RCSI, Connolly Hospital and Enterprise Ireland.”

Carl Power, DigiBio Healthtech Innovation Programme Director, said:

“By providing aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs with the training, resources and support they need to succeed, this programme will play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare with impactful solutions.

“We are looking for 12 quality candidates, with five or more years of professional experience, who are looking to get into a start-up or perhaps a career change as an innovation leader. It’s a very hands-on programme where you also get direct access to healthcare environments. At its core, the programme is about learning and applying a specific approach to finding a problem worth solving and building a commercial case to bring it to market.”

Applications are open until 30th of April 2026. You can apply here – https://www.digibio.ie/apply#apply-now.

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