Innovation Voucher

Innovation Voucher

Supports Irish small businesses with innovation vouchers for feasibility studies prototypes audits or new product and service development.

Eligibility · Ireland, United Kingdom

Innovation Vouchers are available all year round — there are no batched call cycles. Two voucher types: Standard €5,000 (100% grant; SME does not pre-identify a Knowledge Provider) and Co-Funded €10,000 (50% grant, SME contributes 50% cash; SME and Knowledge Provider jointly agree the work programme in advance). Applications are reviewed and a response is normally received within four weeks. Vouchers are valid for 18 months from issue. Companies may have only one active voucher at a time, and a maximum of four vouchers (3 standard + 1 co-funded) over a five-year rolling period.

Applicants must be SMEs registered as limited companies in Ireland with a CRO number, under 250 employees, with turnover ≤€50m or balance sheet ≤€43m. Companies approved for over €300k of EI funding in the previous 5 years are not eligible for the Standard voucher but may apply for the Co-Funded variant. Northern Ireland Knowledge Providers also accept Irish vouchers under EI's arrangement with Invest Northern Ireland. Vouchers are exclusive of VAT — the company pays VAT directly to the Knowledge Provider.