All five previous scholars are now working in the industry as TU Dublin, Yugo and THINKHOUSE expand the programme with a choice of two Master's degrees.

Applications are now open for the 2026 Breakthrough Scholarship, as Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) Enterprise Academy, Yugo, the global student housing operator and brand, and THINKHOUSE launch the programme for its sixth year.

Since launching in 2021, the scholarship has invested over €125,000 in supporting talented students from underrepresented backgrounds to access postgraduate education and careers in Ireland's marketing, advertising and creative industries. Today, all five Breakthrough Scholars have gone on to build careers within the industry, demonstrating the programme's long-term impact and its role in creating a more representative talent pipeline.

The programme returns at a time of continued growth for Ireland's creative industries. According to the IAPI 2025 Census, more than 3,000 people now work across IAPI member agencies, representing 11% year-on-year growth and 35% growth since 2021. The Census also found that 59% of Irish agencies now export their services internationally, highlighting the increasing global demand for Irish creativity.

As opportunities continue to grow, the Breakthrough Scholarship aims to ensure those opportunities are accessible to talented people from all backgrounds.

Created to challenge the lack of representation in Ireland's marketing and advertising sector, the scholarship is open to students who have faced barriers to opportunity, whether due to economic disadvantage, social or geographic circumstances, disability or neurodivergence.

For the first time, applicants can now choose between two postgraduate programmes at TU Dublin:

● MSc Digital & Content Marketing

● MSc Advertising & Creativity

This expansion gives successful applicants greater flexibility to pursue the career path that best matches their ambitions while continuing the programme's mission of opening doors to the next generation of creative talent.

The successful applicant will receive:

● A fully funded Master's degree at TU Dublin

● Free, purpose-built student accommodation from Yugo for the academic year

● A paid three-month internship with THINKHOUSE, one of Ireland's leading independent creative agencies and a certified B Corp

Applications are now open at https://forms.office.com/e/HJbEPxn08h and will close on 8th of August 2026.

A Proven Pathway into the Creative Industries

Over the past five years, the Breakthrough Scholarship has supported five scholars:

● Alex Connell

● Blessing Dosunmu

● Ciarán Fogarty

● Niamh Bakker

● Bridget George

Together, they have gone on to establish careers within the marketing and creative industries, working across client services, strategy, digital content, communications and creative innovation.

Donna Parsons, Director of PR at THINKHOUSE, said:

"Six years ago, we set out to prove that talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn't. Today, seeing all five of our Breakthrough Scholars build careers in the creative industries shows what's possible when barriers are removed. At a time when Ireland's creative sector is growing faster than ever, it's more important than ever that the next generation of talent reflects the diversity of the audiences we serve. We're incredibly proud to continue that mission into its sixth year."

Alex Gibson, Head of Digital Marketing, TU Dublin, said:

"The Breakthrough Scholarship demonstrates what's possible when education and industry work together to remove barriers and create opportunity. This year, supported by TU Dublin's Enterprise Academy, we're delighted to offer applicants the choice between the MSc in Digital & Content Marketing and the MSc in Advertising & Creativity, ensuring students can choose the pathway that best matches their ambitions while preparing for careers in one of Ireland's fastest-growing industries."

Joe Persechino, Global COO, Yugo, said:

"Creating opportunities for students sits at the heart of what we do at Yugo. We’re proud to support the Breakthrough Scholarship because it brings together education, industry and

accommodation to help talented students realise their potential. Seeing all five previous scholars now building careers in Ireland’s creative industries shows the lasting impact partnerships like this can have."

Building a More Representative Industry

While Ireland's creative industries continue to grow, ensuring that opportunity is accessible to everyone remains an important challenge.

The IAPI Census 2025 found:

● More than 3,000 people are now employed across IAPI member agencies.

● Agency employment has grown by 11% year-on-year and 35% since 2021.

● 59% of Irish agencies now export their services internationally, demonstrating the global demand for Irish creative talent.

However, the IAPI Diversity Census 2024 found that 68% of agency employees come from affluent backgrounds, while only 10% come from underprivileged communities, highlighting the need to broaden access to careers within the sector.

Programmes such as the Breakthrough Scholarship are helping address that challenge by removing barriers to postgraduate education and creating direct pathways into the industry for talented students who may otherwise have been overlooked.

Alex Connell, the 2025 Breakthrough Scholar, said:

"Receiving the Breakthrough Scholarship completely changed the direction of my career. It gave me the opportunity to pursue a Master's that wouldn't otherwise have been possible, while also gaining hands-on experience at THINKHOUSE and learning from people working in the industry every day. The support and confidence the programme has given me has been invaluable, and I'd encourage anyone who's thinking about applying to go for it. You never know where it could take you."

Apply today at https://forms.office.com/e/HJbEPxn08h, applications are open until the 8th of August 2026.