Taking stock

SFI provides different grants for researchers from around the world who wish to relocate to Ireland and those already based in Ireland, for outstanding investigators, for conferences and symposia, and for collaboration with industry. Details of SFI funding opportunities can be found on its website.

The Walsh Scholarships Programme is Teagasc's postgraduate development programme, with some 140 students pursuing PhD programmes at any time. A budget of €3.2 million per annum is committed to the programme. There are up to 35 new places each year with a grant of €24,000 per annum. The objective of the Walsh Scholarships Programme is to support the training and professional development of scholars in association with Irish and international universities. The topics funded are related to all aspects of agriculture, horticulture, food, agri-food economics, rural development and rural environment, as well as specific topics identified for priority funding each year.

EPA Research 2030 is a ten-year high-level framework for the EPA's research programming (2021-2030), designed to be agile, responsive and flexible. The EPA is at the front line of environmental protection and policing. As part of its wide range of functions, the EPA manages an environmental research programme that delivers essential scientific support for environmental policy development, implementation and broader decision-making.

The Marine Institute provides funding for marine-related projects under the Marine Research Programme. Funding is provided under a number of programmes including the Cullen Fellowship Programme, Shiptime Programme, Post-Doctoral Fellowships, Project-Based Awards, Networking and Travel Awards and the National Infrastructure Programme (NIAP).

The IRC manage a suite of interlinked programmes funding researchers across all career stages and disciplines. 

SFI provides different grants for researchers from around the world who wish to relocate to Ireland and those already based in Ireland, for outstanding investigators, for conferences and symposia, and for collaboration with industry. Details of SFI funding opportunities can be found on its website.

SEAI coordinates and funds a range of research, development & demonstration (RD&D) activities relating to the production, supply & use of energy. The different programmes in place can be found on its website.

HRB aims to improve health and solve societal challenges through excellent research, data and evidence. HRB offers different funding opportunities related to human health and nutrition.

The EIPI Scheme funds projects that allow farmers, scientists and other experts to collaborate together to develop new practices that are environmentally friendly and economically sustainable.

The Climate Action Fund established under Project Ireland 2040 which aims to support initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland's climate and energy targets in a cost-effective manner.

Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) is a €500 million fund established under Project Ireland 2040 which aims to develop and deploy innovative technologies for commercial use in collaborative research partnerships.

The Green Business Initiative is an inter-linked suite of projects specifically aimed at helping all types of small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) save money and reduce their environmental impact. It is a free and confidential resource funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the National Waste Prevention Programme. The objective is to deliver substantive resource efficiency improvements and cost savings through waste prevention and reductions in water and energy consumption.

SEAI offers grants for businesses willing to cut down on energy costs or meet energy-saving targets. It also offers energy efficiency training and support to SMEs and helps large businesses to improve their energy efficiency while joining the Large Industry Energy Network to work with other businesses on energy performance.

• Business grants and supports
• Small and medium business
• Large business

Bord Bia Vantage is an online resource centre for small food businesses. The Thinking House offers the best of global intelligence and a special route to market knowledge as well as marketing publications and reports.

Food Works is an accelerator programme for high-potential food and drink start-ups. Run by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc, supporting innovative food businesses in Ireland. Each of the three agencies involved with Food Works plays a specific role in taking Irish food to global markets.

LEADER supports private enterprises and community groups who improve the quality of life and economic activity in rural areas (EU co-funded).

BIM provide a range of supports across the seafood industry co-funded by the EMFF.

The Local Enterprise Office provides information and support on starting or growing a business in Ireland. This includes an SME online Tool to help Irish start-ups and small businesses navigate the range of Government support and financial support available.

Údarás na Gaeltachta can offer qualifying businesses and companies from various sectors a range of incentives and supports to start up, develop, expand or locate in a Gaeltacht region. UnaG supports businesses in developing new markets, technologies, products and strategic alliances through research and development.

The Knowledge Development Box enables companies carrying out research and development (R&D) activities in Ireland a favourable tax rate of 6.25%.

Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit If a company spends money on research and development activities, these activities may qualify for the R&D Tax Credit.

InterTradeIreland provides practical cross-border business funding, business intelligence and meaningful contacts to SMEs across the island, North and South, looking to grow their businesses. Details of available funding can be found on its website.

The ISIF has partnered with Finistere Ventures to invest a total of €40 million in Finistere-managed AgTech venture funds – €20 million in the Ireland AgTech Fund (IAF) and €20 million in a global AgTech fund.

Future Growth Loan Scheme (FGLS): The FGLS is offered by the SBCI with the support of the Department of Enterprise (DEBI), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF). The FGLS benefits from a guarantee from the European Union under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

Brexit and COVID-19 Loan Scheme (BLS): The €300m BLS is offered in partnership with DBEI, and DAFM and is supported by the InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility. Medium-term, lower-cost schemes to fund working capital and investments for businesses, including primary producers, impacted by Brexit and COVID-19.

Skillnet Ireland is a business support agency of the Government of Ireland to advance the competitiveness, productivity and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led workforce development.

This accelerator aims to support technology leaders in agricultural innovation offering expertise, networking, funding and mentoring.

Sustainable aquaculture accelerator program seeking to find, develop and scale disruptive aquaculture start-ups. Hatch Blue look for teams with innovative and scalable solutions that solve significant problems in the aquaculture industry to enable its long-term sustainability.

UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK.

• Who do they fund?
• Opportunities

Innovate UK helps businesses develop the new products, services and processes they need to grow through innovation.

NERC is the driving force of investment in environmental science.

BBSRC invests to push back the frontiers of biology and deliver a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future.

ESRC is the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science.

EPSRC creates knowledge in engineering and physical sciences for UK capability to benefit society and the economy.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is the government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

BEIS is a ministerial department, supported by 42 agencies and public bodies. It is responsible for: business; industrial strategy; science, research and innovation; energy and clean growth; and climate change.

The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) supports cutting-edge research to address challenges faced by developing countries. The fund addresses the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

KTN is a network partner of Innovate UK. KTN comprises several specialist teams covering key sectors of the economy and implements five cross-cutting business programmes. Its mission is to connect ideas, people and communities to respond to these challenges and drive positive change through innovation. KTN’s diverse connections span business, government, funders, research and the third sector.

The AgriFood team helps organisations interested in AgriFood innovation access the expert information, funding and connections to drive change.

Websites by areas:

• Aquaculture
• Crops
• Food
• Livestock

KMU.DIGITAL

KMU. DIGITAL is an initiative of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO).

KMU.DIGITAL promotes individual consulting for Austrian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by certified experts on the topics of business models and processes (incl. resource optimisation), e-commerce and online marketing, IT and cybersecurity, and digital administration. Subsequently, the implementation of your digitisation projects with the help of new investments is also promoted.

Type of funding: Grant

aws Digitalisierung

By the means of grants of up to 500.000€, aws Digitalisierung seeks to enable digital change, implementation of advanced tools and data integration. They provide these services to projects implemented in Austria focussing on SMEs in the field of production and services related to production. Applications must be submitted before the project is started.

Type of funding: Grant

startup300 AGstartup300 AG

startup300 AG targets start-ups and established companies offering several working environments in Austria, various consulting formats, and various financing vehicles. Events are also organized.

StartupLive

Startup Live is a pre-acceleration program that helps you in 36h to get feedback from experienced founders and find additional team members. It is present in 61 cities and 20 countries all over Europe. The requirements for the open call now open are to be located in Austria or willing to reallocate in the country, be working on a prototype or product, the start-up can not be older than 2 years and the application must be submitted in English

weXelerate GmbH

weXelerate GmbH targets start-ups and established companies. It counts with 3 programmes:

1. weXplore ecosystem & insights: for managing directors, innovation managers, transformers and rethinkers, digitalisation managers; networking and inspiring exchange in Austria's largest innovation ecosystem, researching and exploring the latest trends, most successful start-ups, best implementation partners and know-how carriers daily.
2. weXecute startup collaboration & innovation calls: for innovation managers, digitalisation managers, and employees of business units who implement innovation projects; the support can come from start-ups or, in the sense of open innovation, from developers, EPUs, large corporations, think tanks or universities; in addition to the very focused search for solutions, this programme offers inspiration around topics such as artificial intelligence, robotics or big data.
3. weXpert innovation & professionals: for innovation managers, employees who have the task of implementing innovation in the company; a moderated workshop for innovation leaders where like-minded people can learn from each other and exchange ideas.

INiTS University Startup Service (Austria)

INiTS University Startup Service (Austria) is an initiative of the University of Vienna, the Vienna University of Technology and the Vienna Business Agency. It targets start-ups with a university background. One of its initiatives is SCALEup Incubation, a Startup Camp (100-day intensive support of experienced advisors and mentors) and in a further nine months of the Growth Phase, startups are prepared in individual coaching sessions and special "briefing sessions"); Another programme is STARTKapital. Start-ups that have been accepted into the SCALEup programme can apply for the STARTKapital programme and thus receive up to € 100,000 in equity capital. In return, INiTS receives virtual shares (non-voting capital participation rights) in the start-up.

LeitnerLeitner GmbH

It is an accountant and tax consultant targeting start-ups. LeitnerLeitner GmbH has the goal to provide you and your business with the best possible support during the various development stages (founding, growth, exit) and guide you toward success. In the area of venture capital, advising start-ups and investors on early-stage financing, alternative investments, and valuation and structuring issues.

The Austrian Research Development Company (FFG)

The Austrian Research Development Company offers different programmes targeting start-ups:

• The Projekt.Start funding is open to all research topics - whether traditional or very current fields of technology (e.g. green production, digitalisation, blockchain technology, environment, energy, sustainability in packaging). Companies can submit at any time. With Projekt.Start, the FFG funds the personnel costs required for project preparation, costs for external third-party services at standard market prices and travel costs.
  
  
• The basic programme project funding is open to all fields of technology, company and project sizes (also over 1 million euros). Projects in cooperation with companies, research institutes and universities are also possible. The project goal is a functioning product, procedure, process or service. The application is open to all research topics (e.g. green production, digitalisation, climate, environment, energy, circular economy, eco-technologies, sustainability in the packaging industry and decarbonisation in the construction industry).

Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (aws)

Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (aws) is the promotional bank of the Austrian federal government and is 100% owned by the Republic of Austria. The Austrian Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) and the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) act as their owner representatives. The aws renders its services as part of its public mandate. Its clients include its owner representatives, the BMDW and BMK, as well as other Austrian federal ministries, states, public authorities and interest groups. It offers different programmes targeting, using grants, loans or advisory services among others, all sectors’ start-ups or others targeting Deep Tech start-ups that have been recently founded and have particularly innovative business ideas with high growth potential.

Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (aws)

The Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW)and the National Foundation for Research, Technology and Development support the establishment of the national Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) fund DIHs to provide a bundle of services in the modules of information, training and digital innovation for the benefit of the target group of SMEs.

EIT Climate-KIC targets start-ups in the CleanTech sector via 2 different programmes:

Climathon is a global 24-hour climate change hackathon (for innovators, entrepreneurs, students and professionals) that takes place simultaneously in major cities around the world every year.

ClimateLaunchpad is the world’s largest green business idea competition. Its mission is to unlock the world’s cleantech potential that addresses climate change. Each year the competition creates a stage for over 1,000 ideas to flourish, with partners in 35+ countries offering training, coaching, and financial support.

The EIC Accelerator provides substantial financial support with: grant funding (non-dilutive) of up to €2.5 million for innovation development costs, and investments (direct equity investments) of up to €15 million managed by the EIC Fund for scale-up and other relevant costs.
In addition, EIC selected companies to receive coaching, mentoring, access to investors and corporates, and many other opportunities as part of the EIC community. It targets Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), in particular, Startups and spinout companies to develop and scale-up game-changing innovations. In some cases, small mid-caps (up to 500 employees) are supported.

Interreg is one of the key instruments of the European Union (EU) supporting cooperation across borders through project funding. It aims to jointly tackle common challenges and find shared solutions in fields such as health, environment, research, education, transport, sustainable energy and more. The goal of Interreg Europe projects is the improvement of public policies in the targeted priority. Only regional/local authorities and non-profit organizations can be partners of Interreg Europe projects.

Even if for-profit organizations cannot be partners, such projects benefit each Regional ecosystem (through the development of groups of local stakeholders). Therefore, even if DIHs are not direct beneficiaries, they can interact with stakeholders from other regions. They can also work with their regional authority to raise awareness on the chosen topic for further thinking within and beyond the project. Through Interreg Europe, you can submit your project idea whether you already have a consortium or not. 

Next to Interreg Europe, other Interreg programmes with defined geographical areas also exist and DIHs can be partners. You can find all types of Interreg online.

Note that each Interreg launches its calls. Interreg North-West Europe has just launched its first one.

If you are willing to participate in an Interreg project but do not have ideas for a project, you can visit the following page; other Regions are looking for partners!

This call for expressions of interest aims to support territories in the transformation of their agricultural and food production systems to meet the challenges of the ecological and energy transition (limiting inputs, improving the sovereignty, sustainability and resilience of the sectors concerned, and reducing their GHG emissions).

Eligibility: Consortium of public and private stakeholders: a group of partners including at least one local authority as a major partner, farmers, inhabitants, cooperatives, training centres, academics, etc. The application must fall within the scope of the French national strategies "Sustainable agricultural systems and agricultural equipment contributing to the ecological transition" and/or "Sustainable and healthy food". Apply to the Future Investment Programme (Programme d’investissements d’avenir (PIA)) for funding for the maturation phase for a maximum amount of 300,000 euros.

Deadline for application: 1^st term: 1 June 2022 2^nd term: 2 December 2022

This call for projects aims to support innovative collaborative projects to strengthen R&D skills in regional SMEs to create qualified jobs, develop new products or services that generate growth and employment, contribute to the structuring of regional sectors, and the emergence of innovations throughout the region. These projects can be on any of the following main topics: Energy transition, renewable energy; Autonomous vehicles, intelligent transport; Digital: intelligent systems, data chain; Territorial agri-food production and biomass development; Small and large water cycle; Digital transition and industry of the future, etc.

Eligibility: Companies, research organizations, industrial technical centres, CRITTs, and associations (under certain conditions) located in the Occitanie region in France.

Deadline: 30 July 2022

Eligible projects must be focused on the following main topics: Mobile agricultural robotics; Agricultural equipment integrating automated and/or intelligent functions; Automated and/or intelligent technologies for agricultural equipment, agriculture and livestock; Other technological innovation projects related to agricultural machinery and equipment. The financed projects must ultimately: Enable new equipment to be better adapted to the needs of farmers and the diverse characteristics of farms and their environment; Improve and facilitate crop or livestock management through the collection and use of data (on-board sensors, etc.); Accelerate the deployment of technological innovations contributing to the agroecological transition of agriculture; Provide significant benefits in terms of the environment, animal welfare or working conditions; Preserve or improve the economic performance of farms without burdening their debt levels.

Eligibility: The project is carried out by a single company, whatever its size, registered in France in the Trade and Companies Register (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés) on the date the application is submitted. Several participants, who would like to synchronise/combine functionally or specifically complementary pre-series tests, can be at the origin of a collaborative project. These combinations may include equipment, software and organisational innovations, but the collaborative project must be submitted by a single company among those involved.

Deadline: 5 October 2022

This call of interest aims to support projects that reduce the dependence of French industry and other productive sectors on imported inputs, i.e. raw materials, consumables or chemicals from Russia, Belarus or Ukraine or, more broadly, on supplies from Russian, Belarusian or Ukrainian suppliers that are threatened or interrupted.
Expected projects may aim to support large-scale supply volumes and qualities. They may also aim to reduce material volumes and energy consumption, adapt qualities and substitute the most problematic supplies while maintaining or improving the competitiveness of the functions produced.
The call of interest aims to identify implementation projects that have gone beyond the upstream R&D stage and are therefore sufficiently mature to enter the pre-industrial or industrial production phase and, if successful, allow the start of a significant volume of marketing or the industrialisation of a process.

Eligibility: The project is carried out by a single company, whatever its size, registered in France in the Trade and Companies Register (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés) on the date the application is submitted and must have an industrialisation project in France or be able to contribute to the supply of French industries. Several participants, who would like to synchronise/combine functionally or specifically complementary pre-series tests, can be at the origin of a collaborative project. These combinations may include equipment, software and organisational innovations, but the collaborative project must be submitted by a single company among those involved.

Deadline: 20 January 2024

The Greece 2.0 – National Recovery and Resilience Plan was endorsed by the European Commission in June 2021, signalling a new era for Greek businesses. With funding from the NextGenerationEU fund of the European Union, the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) will make €12.7 billion available in loans, with the option for disbursement until August 2026. By supporting eligible investments, it will give businesses the boost they need to become more sustainable, resilient, green and digital. Through a comprehensive package of services for small and large businesses and a wide partner ecosystem, Alpha Bank Greece offers co-financing along with the RRF, effectively supporting productivity and innovation in Greece. It helps you turn your investment plans into a reality through the RRF and grow your business.

Ignite entrepreneurship and leverage the hidden potential that exists in the Greek Universities, R&D and Tech Space, by focusing on people and team development, implementation of successful go-to-market strategies and helping build the foundations of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Sectors targeted are ICT/E-businesses; Market innovations; the broader tech space. Financing might be up to 250k for pre-seed and between 250k and 500k for seed.