Overview of the New Geographic Market Research Grant
Overview The New Geographic Market Research grant is to support companies undertaking an intensive market research assignment in a new geographic market. It is designed to assist Enterprise Ireland clients achieve a greater level of market diversification.
If a company is already trading in the proposed geographic market and has an established sales track record, as opposed to ad-hoc or opportunistic sales, it will not be eligible for the new geographic market research grant for that market.
Note: Companies looking to explore opportunities in existing geographic markets can consider applying for alternative Enterprise Ireland support.
The company has the option to relocate an existing employee to the target market or appoint a local market expert.
Am I eligible?
The fund is open to existing and potential clients of Enterprise Ireland that meet the following criteria:
- A manufacturing or eligible traded services company, and
- Employs 10 or more staff.
In general, companies that have received Enterprise Ireland Equity ‘start up’ support, within the last 3 years, are ineligible for the New Geographic Market Research grant.
Projects undertaken by a Company Market Research Executive, relocating to the market for up to 6 months can be supported at a grant rate of up to 70%.
Projects undertaken by an external in-market or temporary contract hire can be supported, for up to 6 months, at a grant rate of up to 50%.
What activities are eligible/ineligible?
Activities associated with undertaking a market research assignment in a new geographic target market are eligible for support. These include;
- Evaluating and assessing opportunities on strategies to develop a new geographic market.
- Developing plans to localise current service/product offering for a new geographic market.
- Field research
- Test marketing
- Product positioning
- Researching channels to market
- Only projects where the individual is full time committed to the market
Ineligible activities
Projects with the following activities will not be considered for support.
- Sales related activities
- Research into expanding Irish market activities
- Research into existing markets
- Desk based research in Ireland
- Activities relating to export aid, for example any support towards the setting up of a permanent overseas office, the setting up of a distribution network or any costs which could subsidise the unit costs of the final product or service.
- Individuals that are not full time committed to the market
What are the eligible costs and maximum funding levels?
Eligible Costs
The company has the option to
1. Relocate an existing or new employee to the target market for the purposes of undertaking the new market research assignment.
OR
2. Appoint a local market expert/consultant to undertake the Market Research assignment.
1. Relocate an existing employee to the target market or recruit a new employee for the purposes of undertaking the new market research assignment.
Companies choosing to relocate an existing employee to undertake the new market research assignment will be eligible for a 70% grant rate.
The following expenditures and limits will apply.
- Wages and Salary support for one company employee relocating to the new market for up to 6 consecutive months can be supported. Maximum eligible salary of €1,500 per week exclusive of employer’s PRSI and bonuses.
Note: New Permanent Full Time salaried employees or existing employees will be eligible for wages and salary support. Part-time/contract staff or consultants paid by invoice will be treated as consultancy (professional fees) under this option.
- Overheads: up to a maximum of 50% of wages and salaries. The overhead support is a contribution towards the travel, subsistence and accommodation costs associated with the employee.
- Professional Fees: up to a maximum of 30% of the overall project costs.
Note: a company can apply for support towards the costs of a local consultant(s) to assist the company employee with the new market research assignment for example legal, employment and taxation issues relating to the new market research assignment.
- Rental of Temporary Office Space: Up to a maximum of €25,000 for office rent in the new market for a maximum of 6 consecutive months, where the office is to be used for the purposes of the new market research only.
Note: There must be a lease for office space in the company or employee name. A lease of an apartment/domestic residence will not be supported as it is covered under overheads.
2. Appoint a local market expert/consultant to undertake the New Market Research assignment.
Companies choosing to hire an industry expert or consultancy firm, in a target market, to undertake the new market research assignment will be eligible for support at a 50% grant rate. The following expenditures and limits will apply.
Consultancy Fees: The company may apply for support towards the cost of one or more consultants. Enterprise Ireland consultancy limits applies. €900 per day for first 20 days, €700 per day for day 21-40 and €600 per day for all subsequent days. The reducing rates apply to each consultancy firm.
Maximum Funding Levels
The maximum level of grant support is determined by the market being researched. Grant rate of 70% will apply to assignments undertaken by a company employee (as per option 1 above) and a grant rate of 50% will apply to assignments undertaken by consultants (as per option 2 above).
Market | Max. Grant | Max Grant Rate Option 1 (Own Employee) | Max Grant Rate Option 2 (Outsourced) |
| UK | €60,000 | 50% | 50% |
| Continental Europe/EEA: | €80,000 | 70% | 50% |
| North America & Canada | €80,000 | 70% | 50% |
| Asia/Middle East/North & South Africa | €80,000 | 70% | 50% |
| BRIC Markets: Brazil, Russia, India and China | €80,000 | 70% | 50% |
| Japanand Gulf States | €80,000 | 70% | 50% |
How do I apply
Companies can apply for funding following discussions with their Enterprise Ireland Development Advisor. Application forms are only available from the Development Adviser.
Call close dates
Support for New Geographic Market Research is not competitive and proposals can be processed throughout the year.
Key contact/more information
Contact your Development Adviser for more information. If you are not already a client of Enterprise Ireland, please contact your nearest Enterprise Ireland Regional Office.
For more information on researching and business development activities in export markets, go to our Export Section.