Funding Support

Enterprise Ireland in partnership with the Technological Higher Education sector has established a nationwide network of 15 Technology Gateways. Companies all over Ireland are using Technology Gateways to develop new or better products and services and smarter ways of doing things

Through the Technology Gateway Network, they are leveraging the expertise of over 300 industry-focused researchers, together with the specialist equipment and facilities at the Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities, to access near-to-market innovation and solutions.

  • 15 specialist gateways -industry-focused researchers
  • Near-to-market innovation
  • Innovation/financial supports
  • Great support for companies of all sizes
  • An excellent track record of delivering to industry

Within each Gateway, a dedicated Gateway Manager and a team of sector-specific business development staff act as the key contact points for industry and manage the successful delivery of projects on time and within budget.

Technology Gateways are used by companies of all sizes, but especially SMEs. Typical projects focus on the development of a new product or service or the optimisation of a process.

The project sizes vary from small short term, of which 60% are €5-10,000, to larger projects which range up to €200,000 typically funded from the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme.

Innovation Voucher

Funding Agency: Enterprise Ireland

Funding Available: €10,000

Focus: Support for SMEs. Research Institute works directly on business opportunity

The Innovation Voucher scheme is run by Enterprise Ireland and the call is continuously open throughout the year. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply for a €10,000 voucher for the purpose of gaining academic support in research to explore a business opportunity or innovation from a listed knowledge provider. The objective of the Innovation Voucher initiative is to build links between Ireland's Research Institutes and SMEs. For many companies, by availing of an Innovation Voucher, this provides a great way of starting on the collaborative research ladder.

Applied Polymer Technologies (APT) has worked successfully with many SMEs who have availed of Innovation Vouchers which have led to longer term partnerships and follow on research projects. For more information about Innovation Vouchers, please contact us

Innovation Partnership

Funding Agency: Enterprise Ireland

Funding Available: Maximum available - 80% towards eligible costs of the research project up to €200,000

Focus: The Innovation Partnership Programme encourages Irish based companies (of all sizes) to work with Irish research Institutes resulting in mutually beneficial co-operation and interaction.

This initiative offers financial support to companies who engage in collaborative research projects with Irish research Institutes. The participating company benefits in terms of its growth, the evolution of its strategic research and development and the creation of new knowledge that it can use to generate commercial advantage. The maximum funding available is 80% of direct research costs.

Applied Polymer Technologies (APT) has worked successfully with companies in the past who have availed of the Innovation Partnership Programme. Companies can access expertise and resources at Applied Polymer Technologies (APT) to develop new and improved products, processes, services, and generate new knowledge and know-how.

For more information about the Innovation Partnership program, please contact us

Innovation Partnership Feasibility Study

Funding Agency: Enterprise Ireland Funding Available: €9,000

Focus: The Innovation Partnership Feasibility Study encourages Irish based companies to work with Irish research institutes resulting in the development of a new product, process, technology or service offering.

This study is fully funded by Enterprise Ireland. It is a collaborative research project between Irish research Institutes and the applicant company. This open call programme operates with monthly approvals. The maximum grant awarded is €9,000. 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. The focus should be on the viability of manufacturing a new product or process and/or services development and the project duration is generally 3 to 6 months.

Applied Polymer Technologies (APT) has worked successfully in the past with many companies who have availed of the Innovation Partnership Feasibility Study and are available to discuss how it may fit with your companies R&D pipeline.

For more information about the Innovation Partnership Feasibility Study, please click here or contact us.

Agile Innovation Fund

Funding Agency: Enterprise Ireland

Funding Available: Maximum available - 50% towards costs and maximum grants of €150,000

Focus: The Agile Innovation Fund supports the development of new or substantially improved products, services or processes, where the total project cost is less than €300,000. It features a streamlined online application form with fast track approval. Projects may range from solving technical challenges (R&D) to innovations in services delivery or business models (Digital Process Innovation).

For more information about the Innovation Partnership Feasibility Study, please contact us.

Other Funding Options

Horizon Europe

Science Foundation Ireland

Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund

Irish Research Council

Interreg

For more information about the Innovation Partnership program, please contact us