Eligible Expenses / Application Process

Feasibility Study Grants

Please note, it is essential to fully investigate the eligibility requirements of these grants before applying.
A Feasibility Study Grant can be used to assess the viability of a business proposal. All qoutes submitted must detail VAT and be printed on proper letterheads. Feasibilities studies include:

• Consultancy Fees
• Prototype Costs / Innovation Costs:-
  This can include research and development, prototype production, test marketing, consultancy advice, financial projections, the preparation of a formal business plan and generally in finding out whether a service or new product should be taken to the production stage. It is important to remember that if you are grant approved for a Feasibility Study/Business Plan that you will not be paid grant monies until a Feasibility Study/Business Plan of an acceptable standard has been submitted to the Enterprise Board. A maximum of 50% of the cost of preparing a Feasibility Study/Business Plan, or Prototype Development, subject to an overall limit of €7,500 (exluding VAT) in the case of a single project, is available.

Priming Grants

You can only apply for Priming Grants if you include Capital and or Salary Costs. All qoutes submitted must detail VAT and be printed on proper letterheads.

A Priming Grant is for Businesses < 18 months old. They cover a range of expenses including

• Capital Items – Please provide 3 quotes with your application. These include office fit out of workspace, office equipment, machinery, computer costs hardware & software etc. Mobile assets e.g. mobile phones laptops etc are excluded.
• Salary Costs – For full time new Employees only. Grant is calculated according to proposed salary. These expenses are paid in 2 installments. The first installment is paid within 2 months of the Board approval date when the Employee commences. The second installment is paid 6 months from the date of the first installment so long as the Employee has remained in the full time position for the 6 months. The second installment is claimed along with all other approved expenses.
• Commercial Rent Accommodation Costs – Only 6 months within the first year of business may be claimed. The first 12 months are dated from the date of registration of the company. Property must be commercial business and not residential.  Copy of lease agreement and landlord contact details will be requested when you claim.
• Utility Costs – ESB, Heat, broadband and phone charges. Only 50% of phone calls are covered. 
• Marketing Costs – 3 Quotes. These include packaging, Brochures and Business Cards. Exhibiting at trade fairs abroad is included. Website design and development can also be included under this heading.
• Consultancy Costs - 3 quotes. Including design fees, patent costs accountant and legal fees relevant to approved activities.
• Business Specific Training – Must be accredited courses in Ireland only. One quote should be provided.

 Business Development Grants

You can only apply for Busines Development Grants if you include Capital and or Salary Costs. All qoutes submitted must detail VAT and be printed on proper letterheads.
A Business Development Grant is for Businesses > 18 months old. They cover a rage of expenses including

• Capital Items – Please provide 3 quotes with your application. These include office fit out of workspace, office equipment, machinery, computer costs hardware & software etc. Mobile assets e.g. mobile phones laptops etc are excluded.
• Salary Costs – For full time new Employees only. Grant is calculated according to proposed salary. These expenses are paid in 2 installments. The first installment is paid within 2 months of the Board approval date when the Employee commences. The second installment is paid 6 months from the date of the first installment so long as the Employee has remained in the full time position for the 6 months. The second installment is claimed along with all other approved expenses.
• Utility Costs – ESB, Heat, broadband and phone charges. Only 50% of phone calls are covered. 
• Marketing Costs – 3 Quotes. These include packaging, Brochures and Business Cards. Exhibiting at trade fairs abroad is included. Website design and development can also be included under this heading. 
• Consultancy Costs - 3 quotes. Including design fees, patent costs accountant  and legal fees relevant to approved activities.
• Business Specific Training – Must be accredited courses in Ireland only. One quote should be provided

*We can only accept a limited number of applications for every deadline. It is advisable not to leave submitting your application until the day of the deadline. If we have reached our quota we will forward all other applications to the next deadline.