Exploring Innovation Grant
Helps companies explore the feasibility of an innovative idea — market research, technical assessment, IP review
- Typical value
- Up to €35,000
- Deadline
- Rolling (open year-round)
R&D and innovation grants for Irish SMEs: check before you commit the spend
If you are planning innovation vouchers, R&D tax credits, feasibility work and product development, run a free GrantMatch scan before you sign quotes, pay deposits or lock in a project plan.
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Why check this before spending?
Irish SME supports are fragmented across state bodies and often depend on timing, business size, sector, location and project type.
Separate grants from tax supports
Some R&D supports are grants, others are refundable tax credits or collaborations with research bodies.
Document the project early
R&D claims and innovation grants are easier when technical uncertainty, costs and milestones are tracked from the start.
Check fit before applying
Not every product improvement is eligible R&D. A focused check can identify the strongest route first.
Examples of schemes worth checking
These are examples from the GrantMatch database. Your actual matches depend on your business profile and planned spend.
Innovation Voucher
Connects SMEs with Irish public knowledge providers (universities, IoTs) to solve a specific business problem
- Typical value
- €5,000 (non-repayable)
- Deadline
- Multiple call windows per year
Innovation Partnership Programme
Collaborative R&D projects between Irish companies and research institutes (universities, IoTs, Teagasc etc.)
- Typical value
- Up to 50% of eligible R&D costs (amounts vary by project scale)
- Deadline
- Rolling
R&D Fund
Supports research, development, and innovation activities that improve competitiveness and create new products/services
- Typical value
- 25%–50% of eligible R&D costs (varies by company size and project)
- Deadline
- Rolling
HPSU Feasibility Study Grant
Helps high potential start-ups validate the commercial and technical feasibility of their idea before seeking investment
- Typical value
- Up to €25,000
- Deadline
- Rolling
LeanPlus Grant
Funds an external lean coach to implement process improvement, reduce waste, and increase productivity
- Typical value
- Up to €50,000
- Deadline
- Rolling
Planning this spend in 2026?
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