Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) Fund

What is the RD&I Fund?

The RD&I Fund supports the development of new or substantially improved products, services or processes which will have a competitive advantage in a company’s target market.

The development must involve;

• the resolution of some technical challenges,
• be non-routine and;
• represent a ‘step-up’ for the company in terms of the level of RD&I capability.

Enterprise Ireland funding to support companies is provided against an agreed company growth plan. Please contact your Development Adviser or the Client Relationship Team to discuss your project and see how Enterprise Ireland can work with you to ensure your company gets the most from any financial support.

If your Development Adviser instructs you that this is an ERDF project, click on ERDF Information for Clients.

Under Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) (2021-2026), projects supporting the digital and climate transition of enterprise are being funded through the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. This covers projects that will: facilitate emissions reductions, or support the digital transformation of the company, driving increased adoption and diffusion of digital technology

Grant Rates & Support

Grant rates dependent on a company size and inclusion of collaboration (for collaborative rates see our RD&I Fund Reference document under Further Information below);

* See Digital Process Innovation for further information.

Eligible Companies

• All registered companies that are trading with positive EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation).
• For companies who are not EBITDA positive contact your Business Adviser in the relevant Development Agency.

Eligible Costs

• Existing staff costs / New staff costs
• Overheads
• Materials
• Travel & Subsistence
• Consultancy
• Patenting Costs
• Certification and clinical trials
• Capital depreciation

How do I apply?

Log on to Enterprise Ireland's online application system:

APPLY ONLINE

The online application forms provide a step-by-step guide on how to complete each tab.

The following documents are also required for a complete application:

• Project Costs Workbook (.xlsx)
• Financial Data Sheet (FDS) (.xlsx)
• Project Plan (.docx) for each project.

Claims Process

If you have been approved RD&I Funding, details on the Claims Process is available here. Clients of Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Local Enterprise Office should contact their Business Adviser regarding the claims process.

Further information

• Read the Guidelines for Companies Applying to the RD&I Fund.
• The RD&I Fund Reference document contains full details on the projects and activities eligible for support, and the criteria on which applications will be assessed.
• Review RD&I Project Change Process.
• Clients of Enterprise Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Local Enterprise Office should contact their Business Adviser in advance of submitting an application.
• Read some of our client R&D insights and case studies.
• View a summary of each of our Research Development & Innovation Funding Supports
• View our information leaflet on Research & Development Tax Benefits and IP Supports

Not sure if your project is R&D?

Download our Outline Proposal template (.docx) and return to RandDOutlineProposals@enterprise-ireland.com to get an initial indication on the eligibility of one or several project(s).

Contact Us

For general enquiries on the RD&I Fund, please contact:

 rdcoreunit@enterprise-ireland.com

   +353 1 727 2120

For Agile Innovation projects, go to Agile Innovation Fund.