Digital4Business, a European Commission-funded initiative, has announced the opening of fully-funded applications for the January 2026 intake of its Joint Professional Master’s in Advanced Digital Technologies for Business.
Digital4Business brings together 13 academic, industry and innovative partners from six EU member states, including Ireland, creating one of the most comprehensive digital education offerings currently available in Europe.
The Master’s degree aims to narrow the Continent’s digital skills gap by enabling learners to study advanced technologies with four of Europe’s leading Higher Education Institutions, with no fees for those enrolling in the January 2026 intake.
To be jointly delivered online by National College of Ireland, Sweden’s Linköping University, Portugal’s NOVA IMS, and Italy’s University of Bologna, the programme focuses on the skills employers urgently need, including AI for Business, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, IoT, Blockchain, Generative AI and Digital Transformation.
Ireland is strongly represented in the Digital4Business consortium, with partners including National College of Ireland, Skillnet Ireland, Digital Technology Skills Limited, Matrix Internet, and Terawe.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and AI Transformation, Niamh Smyth TD, said:
“Digital4Business is an important EU-funded partnership to help build the advanced digital skills that businesses now require. Ireland plays a central role in this consortium, alongside leading universities and industry partners across the EU. The opening of fully funded applications for the January 2026 intake is a significant opportunity for learners to access world-class AI and digital education at a critical moment for our economy. These skills will strengthen our talent pipeline, support our enterprises, and ensure Ireland remains globally competitive.
The programme offers flexible learning pathways, including Full-Time, Part-Time, and Accelerated formats, as well as micro-credentials, all designed to fit around professional commitments.
Coordinator for the Digital4Business consortium, Professor Horacio González-Vélez, Head of the Cloud Competency Centre at National College of Ireland, said:
“Digital4Business is opening doors that were previously closed. This is a turning point. Europe cannot compete globally without a digitally empowered workforce, and access to advanced skills must be radically widened. Digital4Business is doing exactly that by removing financial barriers, bringing together four of Europe’s strongest Higher Education Institutions into one integrated online programme, and giving people the advanced digital capabilities that companies urgently need.”
The deadline for applications is 19th December 2025, with the programme commencing on 19th January 2026. There are no registration, tuition or exam fees for entrants beginning in January 2026 only. Further information is available at digital4business.eu.
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