Springboard+ Biopharma Courses at NIBRT
Springboard+ is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Springboard+ offers free and heavily subsidised higher education courses to support people who are unemployed, previously self-employed, or returning to work - helping them gain valuable skills in areas where jobs are growing.
At NIBRT, our Springboard+ programmes are developed in collaboration with the biopharmaceutical industry. They're designed to give you the practical knowledge and experience needed to launch or grow your career in the biopharma and biotech sectors.
Applications for Springboard+ 2025 are now open! Places are limited and tend to fill quickly, so if you're interested, don’t wait too long to apply.
*Springboard 2025 Courses Now Open for Applications
Apply Now
As places on these courses courses fill rapidly candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as the programme is officially launched.
Applicants should apply directly on the Springboard+ website. You can view and apply to all NIBRT courses on Springboard+ website using the link below.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to reach out to us at springboard@nibrt.ie. We're here to help!
Course Fees and Eligibility
Free and Heavily Subsidised Courses for Eligible Applicants
How much do the courses cost?
All courses are free for those that are unemployed and in receipt of an eligible social welfare payment. All L6 programmes are free, regardless of whether someone is employed or unemployed. For L7 - L9 courses, employed participants pay 10% of course cost with 90% funded.
Who is eligible for Springboard+ courses?
- Employed - You are either working for an employer or you are self-employed.
- Unemployed - You are not currently working, receiving a qualifying payment from the Department of Social Protection (unless formerly self-employed), and you are actively seeking employment.
- Returners - You are a homemaker, on other caring duties, or economically dependent on a partner/spouse for at least 9 of the last 12 months.
*All applicants must meet the nationality/visa requirements and residency criteria. Individual course pages show specific entry requirements.
How are the NIBRT Springboard+ courses delivered?
NIBRT Springboard+ courses are delivered in collaboration with ATU and the majority of courses offer flexible online delivery with short blocks of practical modules at the NIBRT facility providing a healthy work life balance.
Have a question or need more information?
Please contact springboard@nibrt.ie
Current Springboard Courses
*Level 9 courses are suitable for candidates with an honours degree in science, engineering or related discipline
What Our Students Say
Wayne Hogan Career Changer
I found the course easy to keep up with throughout the year especially because most of the content was taught online. It was great that the course was funded so I had hardly any course costs to pay.
What are the Job Opportunities in the Biopharma Industry?
Why Study at NIBRT?
- There are 84,000 highly skilled people directly and indirectly employed in the sector and the expectation is that this will increase by up to 10,000 jobs over the next 5 years.
- The biopharma and chemical sector had an export value of €106bn in 2020 – the first time a sector has exceeded the €100 billion mark in a single year.
- 85+ pharmaceutical companies operate in Ireland with exemplary regulatory track records. There are over 50 FDA approved pharma and biopharma plants including 19 of the top 20 world’s biopharma
companies. - The sector has continued to be very successful in attracting international capital investments in the last decade, with approximately €15 billion of new build biopharma facilities announced since 2010.
NIBRT programmes are specifically designed to meet the requirements of the biopharmaceutical industry and the job seeking candidate including:
- A strong track record of NIBRT candidates obtaining employment in the pharma / biopharma sector
- Hands-on practical placements in NIBRT’s award winning facilities to provide candidates with the practical skills and experience required by Industry.
- Modules in career support and development.
- Instructors with extensive experience in training the biopharmaceutical industry.
