Grants & collaboration

Find the route that fits the project — not the other way round.

Start with the work, the organisation leading it, the partners required and whether material activity has already begun. IRDG helps members structure that first pass before the responsible agency conversation.

Compare the routes Prepare a project outline

Before work begins

Do not assume costs already incurred will be eligible.

Some supports require an application before project work starts. IRDG cannot determine whether prior work affects an application. Confirm the current position with the responsible agency before committing expenditure.

Route by project shape

What kind of work are you actually setting up?

Six common shapes. The route named beside each is what to check first, not a determination that the project fits it.

Company-led R&D

A non-routine product, service or process-development project led within the company.

Worth checkingRD&I Fund or the relevant agency route

A first research collaboration

An SME needs a knowledge provider to investigate a defined problem or opportunity.

Worth checkingInnovation Voucher

A substantial research partnership

A company and an Irish research institute undertake a larger joint research programme.

Worth checkingInnovation Partnership Programme

An all-island innovation project

An established SME needs a dedicated person and academic expertise across the two jurisdictions.

Worth checkingInterTradeIreland Innovation Boost

A disruptive multi-party project

An ambitious technology consortium with a credible commercialisation pathway.

Worth checkingDTIF, when a live call and full conditions are published

An IDA client R&D project

An existing IDA client developing or expanding R&D activity in Ireland.

Worth checkingIDA client adviser and current RD&I route

Curated routes

Irish and all-island opportunities.

Details can change; the official programme source always controls.

  • Open through scheduled 2026 rounds

    Innovation Partnership Programme

    For a company with a defined R&D challenge that would benefit from a structured partnership with an Irish research team.

    Check firstAgency-client status, research partner, project scope and the current outline/full-proposal process.

    TimingOutline proposals can be submitted at any time. Remaining published 2026 full-proposal dates are 15 September, 13 October and 27 October.

    • company
    • research partner
    • agency client

    Enterprise Ireland

    Source checked 24 Aug 2026 · listing expires 28 Oct 2026

  • Opens 1 October 2026

    Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund — Call 8

    A major collaborative route for ambitious, high-risk technology projects with a credible commercial pathway.

    Check firstConsortium composition, project ambition, commercialisation path and the complete Call 8 documentation once published.

    TimingPublished opening date 1 October 2026; published closing date 31 January 2027.

    • consortium
    • SME
    • large company
    • research partner

    Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment

    Source checked 24 Aug 2026 · listing expires 1 Feb 2027

  • Available throughout the year

    Innovation Voucher

    A practical first route for an SME with a defined innovation question that needs input from an approved public knowledge provider.

    Check firstCompany and project eligibility, the approved knowledge-provider route, VAT and excluded activities.

    TimingThe official page describes a €10,000 standard voucher and a co-funded route for projects up to €20,000, subject to conditions.

    • SME
    • Irish company

    Enterprise Ireland

    Source checked 24 Aug 2026

  • Applications through agency adviser

    Research, Development & Innovation Fund

    For a substantial in-company R&D project developing a product or service where the work involves a genuine technical challenge and a step-up in R&D capability.

    Check firstAgency-client status, financial conditions, project novelty and whether any material work has already begun.

    TimingNo fixed closing date is published. The official page says to contact the relevant agency adviser and apply before work starts.

    • SME
    • large company
    • agency client

    Enterprise Ireland

    Source checked 24 Aug 2026

  • Open to enquiries

    InterTradeIreland Innovation Boost

    For an established SME that needs a dedicated person and cross-border academic expertise to implement a significant innovation project.

    Check firstTrading history, employee count, financial viability, academic partnership and implementation capacity.

    TimingThe official programme page accepts enquiries and does not display a fixed closing date.

    • SME
    • all-island
    • research partner

    InterTradeIreland

    Source checked 24 Aug 2026

Curated by IRDG as a starting point, not a complete funding database. Inclusion is not a recommendation or an eligibility decision, and the official source always controls. Collection checked 24 Aug 2026; maintained by Bernadette McGahon with Julia Le Maitre as deputy.

Collaboration readiness

Make the partnership useful before making it fundable.

The strongest collaboration has a real capability reason — not partners assembled to fit a scheme.

  1. A named problem owner in the company.
  2. A clear business and technical outcome.
  3. The expertise missing internally.
  4. A proposed partner, or a precise partner brief.
  5. Defined company and partner work packages.
  6. Project governance and decision rights.
  7. An initial view of IP, access rights and confidentiality.
  8. Budget, internal contribution and cash-flow capacity.
  9. Commercialisation or implementation plan.
  10. Agency-client relationship confirmed.

Briefings

Grant briefings and agency sessions.

No grant briefings are listed just now.

Briefings and agency sessions run through the year. The events platform carries current dates and availability.

See what is runningAsk the Funding team

Scoping a project?

Tell us the shape of the work and who needs to be in it.

Describe the outcome, the stage, the partners you think you need and any deadline. We will help you identify the route worth checking and the agency conversation to have first.

info@irdg.ie  ·  (01) 234 2401

All funding routes

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