Programme guidance
Eligibility & funding rates
Read this page before you apply. Applications that fail a basic eligibility check are closed without scoring, so it is worth ten minutes now.
Who can apply
- A small or medium-sized business (fewer than 250 employees) in any sector — including farms, agri-food producers, retail, services, manufacturing and technology.
- Sole traders, partnerships, companies, cooperatives and social enterprises may all apply. New start-ups are welcome.
- The person applying is at least 18 and authorised to act for the business.
- The business is based and operating in the programme area.
- The business is tax compliant and has no outstanding recovery order for previously granted aid.
- Total project cost is at least €5,000.
What is not eligible
- Works started, ordered or paid for before the application was submitted.
- Purchase of land or existing buildings.
- Day-to-day running costs — ordinary wages, rent, stock, fuel, insurance and routine maintenance.
- Replacement of like-for-like assets with no improvement to the business.
- Repaying debts or refinancing existing loans.
- Recoverable VAT, interest charges, bank fees and penalties.
- Personal or private use items unrelated to the business.
Eligible sectors
The programme is open to businesses across the economy. Agriculture and agri-food are supported on the same footing as every other sector.
- Agriculture & farming
- Agri-food & food processing
- Manufacturing & production
- Retail & wholesale
- Hospitality & tourism
- Construction & trades
- Technology & digital services
- Professional & business services
- Health, care & wellbeing
- Creative & media
- Transport & logistics
- Education & training
What the grant can pay for
Choose the category that accounts for most of your project cost when you apply.
- Equipment & machinery
- Premises, fit-out & renovation
- Digital & technology adoption
- Energy efficiency & renewables
- Expansion & new markets
- New product or service development
- Staff training & skills
- Marketing & export development
- Farm & agricultural investment
- Agri-food processing & value-adding
- Start-up & launch costs
- Other business investment
How applications are scored
Eligible applications are ranked against the criteria below. A minimum score of 55 out of 100 is required to be considered for an award.
Important
Do not commit to any expenditure until you receive a written approval letter. Costs incurred before approval are not eligible for reimbursement, even if your application is later successful. The grant can cover at most 75% of your project cost.