The Innovation Partnership Initiative offers financial support to companies who engage in collaborative research projects with Irish universities and institutes of technology.  Enterprise Ireland provides grants of up to 80% towards eligible costs of the research project.  The proposal process and administration of the project is managed by the participating third level research institution.

NB: As a result of new State Aid guidelines, Enterprise Ireland has revised all documentation related to Innovation Partnerships.  Please ensure you use the documentation published on this site as previous versions of the forms are not admissable.

An Innovation Partnership with a third level research institution can;

• Increase the development potential of your business 
• Give your company access to hot technologies developed in the Irish third-level sector
• Provide a cost-effective approach to innovative product and process development

We are currently updating our Innovation Partnership information brochure but you can watch a short video clip which tells the story of a partnership from both the companies side and the research teams perspective by clicking here
Please review the 'Revised Funding Guideline Document' for information on the programme. This is available in the ‘Preparing a Proposal’ section.

Participation in the programme is initiated by the submission of an Outline Proposal by a third-level institution.
Click here to download the guidelines and forms for submitting an Innovation Partnership proposal

Assessment Forms

The official assessment forms for projects worth more than €100,000 and less than €100,000 are provided here to give participating companies and research institutions an indication of the assessment criteria. Click here to view assessment forms

Administration Forms

Download all documents pertaining to adminstration of an Innovation Partnership

Case Studies

Enterprise Ireland has selected a number of Innovation Partnerships to feature as case studies.Click here to read case studies involving research and company partners

Eligibility

All manufacturing, processing and internationally traded service companies, with an operating base in the Irish Republic (under the care of a County Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta or the IDA) who are collaborating with Irish third-level institutions are eligible to participate.

Recommended proposals are presented to the Industrial Research Commercialisation Committee for final approval.
The college handles the proposal submission and all routine project administration. Applications are usually processed by Enterprise Ireland within 6-8 weeks.

Contract Research

The aim of the Innovation Partnership Programme is to support collaborative research. We will consider the funding of contract research under this Programme only if a new linkage between industry and a college is being developed and the project will impact positively on the company. Please discuss with the Programme Manager before proceeding to an Outline Application. Please note that the maximum funding allowed for contract research projects is €250,000 and repeat contract research projects between a company and a department or school will not be accepted.

High Potential Start Up Companies (HPSU)

pre-HPSU & HPSU companies, and other start up companies (under the care of a County Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta or the IDA) can seek funding to participate in Innovation Partnerships once the following conditions are met:

1. The research must come under the category of Collaborative Industrial Research (see guidebook).
2. The academic partner will own any Foreground IP produced during the project and will facilitate a licensing agreement with the company partner.
3. The total project cost does not exceed €300,000.
4. HPSU's must have a Business Plan developed and shared with their assigned Development Advisor before seeking to enter the programme.

The business plan must clearly show the:

1. Growth potential of the HPSU.
2. Value to the Irish economy in the number and quality of jobs and exports created.
3. Level of risk, quality and innovative qualities of the business plan.
4. Achievement of previous milestones or investment targets.
5. Capability of the company to fund their part of the project and commercialise the project outputs.

Contact

For more information or assistance at any stage of an Innovation Partnership contact:

Tom Bannon Tel: +(353 1) 7272594

Cormac Cantwell Tel: +(353 1) 7272517