European Funding Agency

Funding in Ireland

Funding in Ireland for startups, scaleups and R&D-driven SMEs

Public funding for innovation in Ireland is delivered primarily through Enterprise Ireland, complemented by EU programmes such as Horizon Europe, the EIC Accelerator and Eurostars. Availability and eligibility for any specific call must be verified against the current official documentation from Enterprise Ireland and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

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Reviewed: 23 September 2026

Who this route is for

Is this the right route for your Ireland-based company?

Irish startups, scaleups and R&D-driven SMEs — and international companies establishing an Irish presence — that want to combine Enterprise Ireland instruments with EU programmes to fund innovation and international expansion.

National vs EU funding

How national and EU funding fit together in Ireland

Most strong funding positions combine a national instrument with one or more EU programmes. The right mix depends on your stage, sector and project.

Ireland channels much of its enterprise and innovation support through Enterprise Ireland, which offers grants, funding and HPSU support for high-potential startups. EU programmes — Horizon Europe, the EIC Accelerator and Eurostars — add collaborative and larger-budget opportunities. Irish companies often use Enterprise Ireland backing to build the track record that makes them competitive in EU calls.

Official national institutions

Where Ireland public funding is administered

Always verify the current call status, deadlines, budgets and eligibility directly with the official agency before applying.

Enterprise Ireland

https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/

Relevant EU routes

EU programmes available alongside national funding

Eligibility depends on the programme and call. These EU instruments can cover eligible organisations in EU Member States and associated countries, alongside national programmes.

EU Funding & Tenders Portal

Official source

EIC Accelerator

Official source

Eurostars

Official source

Eligibility & readiness

Readiness checklist before you apply

A practical list to confirm your company is ready to compete for national and EU funding in the current cycle.

  • Legal entity registered in an EU/EEA member state with valid company registration
  • Audited or management accounts for the periods a call requires
  • A defined innovation or R&D project with objectives, milestones and expected outcomes
  • A consortium or partner plan where the call is collaborative
  • A realistic project budget with eligible costs and co-funding capacity
  • Data management plan and IP arrangements where applicable
  • Internal capacity to deliver the project and meet reporting obligations

The EFA process

How European Funding Agency works with you in Ireland

A single advisory team across the full funding lifecycle — from identifying the right call to delivering and reporting on a won grant.

01

Opportunity assessment

We map the national and EU instruments that fit your company stage, sector and project, and confirm where each route is realistically competitive.

02

Strategy

We define a funding roadmap that sequences national and EU calls, blends grants with equity where useful, and aligns with your commercial and R&D roadmap.

03

Project structuring

We shape the project into a fundable narrative — objectives, work packages, innovation ambition, impact and risk — that maps to the call criteria.

04

Consortium & partner support

For collaborative calls we help identify partners, define roles and build a consortium that meets geography and complementarity requirements.

05

Proposal

We write and pressure-test the technical and impact sections, ensuring the evaluator can score every criterion clearly.

06

Budget

We build an eligible, defensible budget with cost categories, rates and co-funding aligned to the call rules.

07

Submission coordination

We manage the portal, forms and deadlines, and coordinate internal reviewers and partners through to submission.

08

Implementation & reporting advisory

After a grant we advise on project set-up, reporting, amendments and audits so funding is retained and compliant.

Frequently asked questions

Funding in Ireland — your questions answered

What national funding is available in Ireland for startups and SMEs?

Ireland channels national and EU-funded public support through Enterprise Ireland. Programmes typically cover innovation, R&D, digitalisation and internationalisation, but the specific calls, budgets and deadlines change over time. We help you identify the routes that match your project and verify availability against the current official call documentation on the Enterprise Ireland portal.

How does Ireland national funding combine with Horizon Europe and the EIC Accelerator?

National instruments from Enterprise Ireland are designed to complement EU programmes rather than replace them. A typical strategy uses national funding for early-stage development and Horizon Europe or the EIC Accelerator for larger, cross-border innovation projects. We map the combination that maximises non-dilutive capital while keeping eligibility and state-aid rules clean.

Is Eurostars open to companies based in Ireland?

Ireland participates in the Eureka Eurostars programme, so innovative SMEs based in Ireland can apply together with partners from other Eurostars member countries. Funding for the Ireland partner is handled through Enterprise Ireland under the national rules that apply to Eurostars. We confirm the current national eligibility conditions before you commit to a consortium.

What does European Funding Agency do to help companies in Ireland win public funding?

We run the full cycle — opportunity assessment, strategy, project structuring, consortium support, proposal writing, budget, submission coordination and implementation advisory — so a Ireland-based team can compete for national and EU funding without building that expertise in-house. We never guarantee funding; we raise the quality and competitiveness of every application.

How do we verify whether a Ireland funding call is currently open?

Call calendars shift throughout the year, so we never describe a call as open without checking the current official documentation. Before any application we confirm status, deadlines, budget and eligibility directly with Enterprise Ireland and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, and we share that verification with you in writing.

How long does a typical funding application take in Ireland?

Timelines depend on the instrument: national calls from Enterprise Ireland often run on published calendars, while Horizon Europe and EIC Accelerator submissions are tied to EU call deadlines. A well-prepared application typically needs several weeks of dedicated work. We plan backwards from the real, verified deadline so the application is complete and reviewed in time.

Official sources

Verify every call against the official source

National calls, deadlines, budgets and eligibility change throughout the year. We never describe a call as open without confirming the current official documentation. Use these official sources to verify before applying.

Find your funding route

See which funding fits your company in Ireland

The Funding Navigator maps your stage, sector and project to the national and EU routes that are realistically competitive — then you can book a focused conversation with our advisory team.

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