Overview of Enterprise Ireland Key Manager Support
The aim of this initiative is to provide partial funding towards the cost of recruiting a Key Manager with skills that are critical to the future growth of the client. This individual must contribute to significant and measurable improvements in company productivity and/or changes in its output to meet defined market requirements.
Key Manager support is not intended to be a mechanism to subsidise general recruitment.
Examples of Key Manager positions are: Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Technical Officer (CTO), R&D Manager, Production Manager, Business Development Manager.
Am I eligible?
The following companies are eligible to apply for this offer:
- Small and Medium Established Clients employing 10 or more employees (or full time equivalents) at the time of application, and
- Companies that have been trading (generating sales) for at least 2 years at the time of application.
What is the maximum funding available?
- A Client may receive one Key Manager Approval in a rolling 12 month period.
- Funding will be by way of Grant. The maximum support level will be 50% of eligible costs..
Eligible Activities
Support for a Key Manager will be considered where it can be demonstrated that:
- the role is a senior management function.
- the role is a new role and not a replacement for an existing position.
- the role provides new professional external expertise to the company.
- a competitive interview process will be used to select the successful candidate.
Ineligible Activities
Funding cannot be provided for a key manager where the activities are directly linked to export-related activities namely:
- Funding directly linked to the quantities exported.
- To the establishment and operation of a distribution network.
- To any other current costs linked to export activity.
- No support should be sought for personnel who are promoting/ researching existing products in existing geographical markets.
Eligible Costs
Support may be approved against eligible Salary costs associated with the employment of a Key Manager up to the following limits.
Cost Category | Amount | Notes: |
| Salaries | 1 year's Salary costs up to a maximum salary of €80,000. | Eligible salary costs to exclude Employer's PRSI, bonus and commission. |
Note: Acumen Key Manager grants are supported at 50% of salary to a maximum grant of €18,750. Companies interested in applying for an Acumen Key Manager must have first received pre-approval from InterTradeIreland Acumen Programme.
What are the call close dates?
Support for Key Managers is not competitive and proposals can be processed throughout the year.
How do I apply?
All applications for funding should be discussed with your Enterprise Ireland Adviser prior to submission.
Apply via the Enterprise Ireland Online Application System.
Prior to applying you must do the following:
Any expenditure incurred prior to receipt of the application by Enterprise Ireland will not be eligible for grant aid.
Companies interested in applying for an Acumen Key Manager must have first received pre-approval from InterTradeIreland Acumen Programme.
Please contact your Enterprise Ireland Adviser for more information.