Ireland’s innovation sector has a new opportunity to secure major public investment. DTIF funding has opened for a fresh round of applications, with €40 million available to support collaborative projects developing and commercialising disruptive technologies.
Announced by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke on 1 October 2026, the eighth Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund call is designed to connect Irish businesses with the country’s research community and help promising technologies reach the market.
DTIF funding call opens for applications
DTIF funding is administered by Enterprise Ireland on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. The latest competitive call will accept applications from 1 October 2026, with the deadline extended to 3 February 2027 at 3pm Irish time.
The fund supports industrial research and experimental development projects with clear commercial potential. Eligible proposals must focus on technologies or applications capable of creating meaningful economic and societal impact.
Since its establishment under the National Development Plan in 2018, the programme has supported 131 collaborative projects. Government funding approved across the first seven calls totals €530 million, with successful projects spanning:
- Life sciences and medical devices
- Information and communications technology
- Artificial intelligence
- Advanced manufacturing
- Environmental innovation
Who can apply?
Applications must be submitted by consortia involving at least three eligible project partners. Each consortium must include at least one SME and another enterprise, while collaboration with Irish research-performing organisations is encouraged.
Applicants and partners must be based in Ireland and be clients of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta or an eligible research organisation. Irish semi-state bodies and public organisations may participate as non-funded partners, provided the project includes at least three other eligible partners.
The minimum funding request is €1.5 million for projects lasting up to three years. SME participants must provide matched funding, while large companies are required to contribute 60% of project costs. Projects should be structured for commercialisation over a three-to-seven-year period.
How DTIF funding applications will be assessed
Independent international expert panels will evaluate eligible applications against four core criteria:
- The quality and originality of the disruptive technology
- The strength of the proposed approach
- Economic impact and long-term sustainability
- The quality of collaboration between partners
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless said the programme would help combine Ireland’s research strengths with enterprise ambition, supporting future competitiveness and sustainability.
Enterprise Ireland chief executive Jenny Melia encouraged ambitious companies and research organisations with commercially viable ideas to engage with the application process.
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Disruptech events to support applicants
Enterprise Ireland is holding regional “Disruptech” events during October. The sessions are intended to explain the call, support partner networking and help companies identify potential consortium members.
- 1 October – Dundalk, Gateway Hotel
- 13 October – Mullingar, Mullingar Park Hotel
- 15 October – Dublin, Aviva
Prospective applicants can find detailed eligibility rules, event information and application guidance through the dedicated DTIF webpage at enterprise.gov.ie/DTIF.
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DTIF funding gives Irish companies and research partners a route to turn high-impact ideas into commercially deployable solutions. With €40 million available and applications open until 3 February 2027, eligible consortia should begin building partnerships and preparing evidence-led proposals early.
Article/Image Courtesy: Enterprise Ireland
