This section sets out the main funding supports and programmes for established small and medium sized enterprises in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. An Established SME client is a company that is not a HPSU client, has an established trading record, the company (or its group of companies) employs between 10 and 250 employees, has either an annual turnover of less than €50m or an annual balance sheet of less than €43m. Note: Previous funding approved by Enterprise Ireland may impact on your eligibility for the following supports. Please consult with your Enterprise Ireland Adviser to discuss.
Funding decisions are determined by the;
- Need for financial support for the project
- Potential employment and sales growth
- Previous funding provided to the company
- Regional location of the company
Market Research and Internationalisation Supports
- Going Global Grant
Grant for market research costs to assist companies that have successfully established businesses in Ireland who wish to explore opportunities to internationalise their business as a route to growth. Learn more about this grant and the next closing date for applications. - Internationalisation Grant
Grant to support the costs of researching and exploring new international business opportunities. Eligible projects include 1) researching a new market for a new or existing product or 2) researching an existing market for a new product. Eligible costs may include; Salaries & Overheads (for clients with less than 50 employees), Consultancy Fees, Foreign Travel & Subsistence, EI approved Business Accelerator Fees and Trade Fair costs. - New Geographic Market Research Grant
Grant support to undertake an intensive 6 month market research assignment into a new geographic market. Eligible costs include salary costs of an employee placed in the market for up to 6 months, in-market consultancy fees and rent. - Graduates for International Growth (G4IG) Programme
The programme matches graduates with companies to develop and execute plans to grow in key markets. Support available for the graduate salary and training. Call close date applies. - Acumen Programme
A cross-border Business Development Programme designed to stimulate cross-border trade (between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) and develop other forms of commercial co-operation amongst SME's throughout the island of Ireland. - Excel at Export Selling
Excel at Export Selling is a series of workshops aimed at rapidly embedding the proven tools of good international selling practice into the sales teams of Irish companies across all industry sectors. - International Selling Programme
Targeting company management and sales staff, this 10 month programme enhances company ability to access new markets and accelerates export sales growth. Delivered in conjunction with Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) in partnership with a panel of world-class experts and practitioners.
In-Company & Collaborative Research & Development Supports
- Technical Feasibility Study Grant
Can be used to investigate the feasibility of developing a new product, process, technology or service offering. This Grant can also be used to support a client company to develop an FP7 proposal. - R&D Fund – Small Projects
This fund supports product, process or service R&D projects where the expenditure amount is less than €150,000. This may suit companies undertaking R&D for the first time or companies progressing R&D activity in the business. - R&D Fund – Large Projects
Supporting innovation in services, products and processes, the R&D Fund – Large Projects is suitable for companies that are ready to progress to larger projects. The maximum R&D grant that a company can receive is €650,000. - Innovation Voucher
Innovation Vouchers, worth €5,000, are available to assist a company to work with a registered college or knowledge provider to explore a business opportunity or technical problem. - Innovation Partnership Grant Programme
Offers financial support to companies who engage in collaborative research projects with Irish universities and Institutes of Technology. The proposal process and administration of the project is managed by the participating third level research institution. - FP7 and other EU Research Funding Programmes
If your company is interested in working on collaborative research projects with research partners across Europe, there are a range of international research programmes designed to foster collaborative cross-border research between companies in different member states. - Technovation
Technovation is a pilot Enterprise Ireland programme that will be delivered in conjunction with Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) in the South East - Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, South Tipperary. Support will be available for Enterprise Ireland clients to employ a graduate for 18 months to undertake an innovation project.
Supports to Enhance and Develop your Management Team
- Mentor Grant
Can be used to investigate the feasibility of developing a new product, process, technology or service offering. This Grant can also be used to support a client company to develop an FP7 proposal. - Strategic Consultancy Grant
Used to support the cost of planning or implementing a new strategic development initiative in your company. Cannot be used to support routine consultancy costs. - Key Manager Grant
Grant to support the cost of hiring a new Key Manager. Must be critical to the company's future development and introduce key skills and expertise to the company's senior management team. - Leadership 4 Growth (L4G) Programme
Delivered in conjunction with Stanford University this flagship programme is designed to develop and enhance the leadership ambition, mindset and capability of Irish CEOs and their senior management teams to lead innovative, scalable companies, capable of achieving sustained international growth. - Management 4 Growth (M4G) Programme
Supports participating SME CEOs and their management teams to further develop, implement and manage strategy, operations and people to drive sales and export growth through a mix of executive education, Business Coaching and Peer Networking.
Productivity and Business Process Improvement Supports
- Lean Start Grant
Used to support the costs of undertaking a “Lean Start Assignment”. This is a short assignment undertaken by a Lean consultant/trainer. Eligible Expenditure is limited to the cost of hiring a Lean consultant/trainer for a maximum of 7 days. - Business Process Improvement Grant
Grant to support short term company projects that are designed to develop management capability and drive company efficiencies and business process improvements. Eligible Projects include either 1) LeanPlus, 2) E-Marketing or 3) Environmental Improvement Projects. - Lean Transform Grant
Used to support a “Lean Transform Project". This is a large scale, extensive and holistic company transformation programme delivered by an external consultancy team of international reputation. Eligible cost include Fees for an external Lean consultant/trainer and Employee training costs and associated training costs.
Company Expansion Packages
- Job Expansion Fund
Funding to support new employment. The fund provides grant support up to a maximum of €150,000 towards the recruitment of new employees. Applications for funding will be accepted on specific call close dates. - Tailored Company Expansion Packages
If you are planning to undertake an ambitious expansion of your company that will create employment and grow your sales in international markets, Enterprise Ireland can discuss a tailored financial support package for your company.