Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers
The Innovation Voucher initiative was developed to build links between Ireland’s public knowledge providers (i.e. higher education institutes, public research bodies) and small Irish businesses. Innovation Vouchers worth €5,000 are available to assist a company or companies to explore a business opportunity or problem with a registered knowledge provider.
Am I eligible?
The Innovation Voucher initiative is open to all small and medium-sized limited companies registered with the CRO in Ireland. You do not have to be a client of Enterprise Ireland to apply.
How does it work?
If you own or manage a small limited company and want to explore a business problem or innovation opportunity, you can apply for an Innovation Voucher. The voucher can be exchanged for advice and expertise from knowledge providers such as the Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Network. A maximum of four vouchers are available, one of which must be a 50-50 co-funded Fast Track voucher. Please note, Innovation Vouchers are exclusive of VAT. You will be charged VAT by the knowledge provider and this cost must be settled separately by the company.
You can see the full list of participating knowledge providers, as well as information about the programme and how to apply, on the Enterprise Ireland website.
Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme – Project Feasibility Study
The Project Feasibility Study is not intended to be a standalone, discrete piece of research.
It is intended to provide a ‘stepping stone’ to enable researchers and third-level institutions to become involved in full Innovation Partnership projects with industrial partners.
Am I eligible?
All manufacturing, processing and internationally traded service companies, with an operating base in the Republic of Ireland, collaborating with Irish third-level institutions are eligible to participate.
Multi-partner consortiums are welcome to submit proposals.
How does it work?
The scope of the programme includes all science and engineering disciplines including environmental sciences, energy-efficient technologies, construction technologies as well as internationally traded service industries. The focus should be on a new product, process and/or services development. The duration of a Project Feasibility Study will be not more than six calendar months from the agreed start date. An open call programme operates with monthly approvals. The maximum grant awarded is €9,000.
Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme
The Innovation Partnership Programme encourages Irish-based companies to work with Irish research institutes resulting in mutually beneficial co-operation and interaction. Companies can access expertise and resources to develop new and improved products, processes, and services, generating new knowledge and know-how. The participating company benefits in terms of growth, the evolution of strategic research and the development and creation of new knowledge that it can use to commercial advantage. The research institute benefits in terms of developing skill sets, intellectual property and publications.
Am I eligible?
Any manufacturing or internationally traded services company with an operating base in the Republic of Ireland that wishes to collaborate with one or more research institutes, also based in the Republic of Ireland, is eligible to participate. The company must be a registered client of one of the following state development agencies: Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, or a Local Enterprise Office.
How does it work?
The Innovation Partnership Programme provides grants of up to 80% towards eligible costs of the research project. All Innovation Partnership projects require the company partner to provide a minimum cash contribution of 20% of the total project cost. In all cases, the partner company must have the resources to contribute its share of the funding for the research and to fund the commercialisation of the research, when completed.
Funding from Enterprise Ireland will normally not exceed €200,000.
For additional information on all of the above innovation supports, please visit enterprise-ireland.com