€159 million awarded under Disruptive Technologies Fund

Image caption: Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke pictured with representatives of the RECAP project, which was awarded €6.6m for their project which aims to develop and clinically validate a new non pharmaceutical treatment for musculoskeletal (MSK) pain.

• Seven new additional projects totalling €39 million brings the full Call 7 funding to a record-breaking €159 million
• The Government’s Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund finances collaboration between SMEs, multinationals and research institutions towards the development of the next wave of high-value innovation, keeping our economy and our business ecosystem world-leading 

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD, and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD today announced funding of almost €39 million for seven additional projects under Call 7 of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF). This latest batch of awards brings the total funding awarded under Call 7 to a record-breaking €159 million.

Seven new projects were awarded amounts ranging from €2.9m to €9.1m for hi-tech healthcare and AI projects. The Government’s continued commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration between SMEs, multinationals, and research institutions is underlined by these awards.

Among our Call 7 projects are impactful MedTech and LifeScience initiatives. Together, these will transform healthcare and drive improved patient outcomes.

Announcing today’s projects, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke said: 

“I am pleased to announce funding for the final seven projects under DTIF Call 7. With these awards, almost €159 million has now been awarded to 27 projects that will play a pivotal role in addressing the major challenges facing our society and economy, such as meeting Ireland’s climate obligations, driving digital transformation, advancing Artificial Intelligence and green technologies, developing innovative health technologies and services and supporting upskilling initiatives to maintain Ireland’s global competitiveness.

"Among the successful Call 7 projects are initiatives harnessing AI and machine learning to create a highly digitalised healthcare platform, and designing smarter, faster testing with targeted treatment for colorectal cancer. Another involves sustainable pasture-based livestock systems to improve nutrient efficiency and reduce emissions.

Such highly original and beneficial projects help ensure we remain competitive in an ever-changing global innovation landscape.”

James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science added:  

“The success of Call 7 has surpassed all expectations. It is inspiring to see so many collaborative partners from industry and academia committed to driving innovation in Ireland. The Government’s continued support in cutting edge technology development through the DTIF also plays a vital role in ensuring that graduates with highly specialised expertise from our leading research institutions are matched with the specialised roles required to deliver these projects.”

Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said:  

"The success of Call 7 under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund is a clear signal of Ireland’s capacity to lead in transformative innovation. These 27 projects represent strategic investments in areas that will define our future—AI-driven healthcare, sustainable agriculture, quantum technologies, and advanced manufacturing – while facilitating stronger industry–research partnerships, accelerated commercialization of disruptive solutions, and enhanced global competitiveness for Irish enterprises. Now is the time to build on this momentum.

“I encourage all industry leader and research institutions to actively engage with these projects, explore collaboration opportunities, and leverage the supports available through Enterprise Ireland. Together, we can ensure these innovations deliver measurable economic impact, create high-value employment, position Ireland as a global hub for next-generation technologies and support Enterprise Ireland’s long-term ambition that exporting Irish companies become the primary drive of the Irish economy."

Note to Editors

The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) is a €500 million fund established under the National Development Plan (NDP) in 2018. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment manages the DTIF with administrative support from Enterprise Ireland.

The purpose of the Fund is to drive collaboration between Ireland’s world-class research base and industry as well as facilitating enterprises to compete directly for funding in support of the development and adoption of these technologies. The aim is to support investment in the development and deployment of disruptive technologies and applications on a commercial basis.

Call 7

Call 7 was launched in May 2024. It was ‘rolling’ Call which facilitated applications to be processed as soon as they were submitted and also an extended deadline of April 2025. During this time, 41 applications were submitted for evaluation which ultimately led to 27 applications being approved for a record amount of funding of €158 million. This Call has brought exciting groundbreaking projects seeking Government support, for example:

• the quantum project QUBIC will tackle Ireland’s biggest challenges in energy, climate, advanced materials, and pharmaceuticals through quantum-enabled solutions,
• The FutureLives project will transform Irish agriculture by cutting greenhouse gas emissions through smarter nutrient use, improved feed efficiency, and innovative slurry treatment and
• the NAIRA project will make mobile networks greener by introducing technology that dramatically reduces energy consumption.

Together, these projects advance Ireland’s leadership in sustainability and innovation driving breakthroughs in quantum technologies, reducing agricultural emissions, and creating greener mobile networks to support climate goals, energy efficiency, and a low-carbon future.

DTIF Call 7 applications were assessed by panels of international experts against four criteria – quality of the disruptive technology, excellence of overall approach, economic impact and sustainability, and strength of the collaboration.

Details of the Call 7 Guidance Documentation and application process are available at enterprise.gov.ie/DTIF.

ENDS

Previously Announced Projects Being Funded Under DTIF Call 7

For further information please contact Press Office, Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, press.office@enterprise.gov.ie or (01) 631-2200