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.
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 €100,00 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, 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.

Contact

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

Monica Flanagan Tel: +(353 1) 8082208