DTIF Funding: Minister Burke Opens €40 Million Innovation Call

Ireland’s next wave of technology-led growth has a new opportunity to secure support. The DTIF funding programme has opened its eighth competitive call, offering €40 million to collaborative projects developing disruptive technologies for commercial use.

The announcement was made on 1 October 2026 by Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. Applications can be submitted from the same date, with the deadline extended to 3 February 2027 at 15:00 Irish time.

DTIF funding targets high-impact Irish innovation

The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund is designed to connect Ireland’s research community with industry. Its purpose is to help enterprises develop, deploy and commercialise technologies that can deliver economic and societal benefits.

Managed by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment with administrative support from Enterprise Ireland, the fund has supported 131 collaborative projects through seven previous calls. Government-approved funding for those projects totals €530 million, covering fields including:

• Life sciences and medical devices
• Information and communications technology
• Artificial intelligence
• Advanced manufacturing
• Environmental technologies

Minister Burke said the fund gives ambitious enterprises the opportunity to scale, create high-quality jobs and compete internationally. James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, highlighted its role in strengthening academic-industry collaboration and Ireland’s global technology position.

Who can apply?

Applications must come from consortia containing at least three project partners, including at least one SME and one other enterprise. Eligible organisations must be based in Ireland and be clients of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta or an eligible research-performing organisation.

Irish semi-state organisations and public bodies may participate as non-funded partners, provided the consortium includes at least three other eligible partners. Projects should be focused on industrial research or experimental development and be geared towards commercialisation within three to seven years.

Funding requirements and assessment

The minimum funding request is €1.5 million for projects lasting up to three years. SMEs must provide matched funding, while large companies are required to contribute 60% of project costs.

Independent international expert panels will assess proposals using four criteria:

1. Quality of the disruptive technology
2. Excellence of the overall approach
3. Economic impact and sustainability
4. Strength of the collaboration

Regional Disruptech events support applicants

Enterprise Ireland is hosting regional events to explain the call and help potential applicants find collaboration partners. The remaining listed events are:

• 1 October – Dundalk, Gateway Hotel
• 13 October – Mullingar, Mullingar Park Hotel
• 15 October – Dublin, Aviva

These sessions are intended to support networking and matchmaking among multinational companies, SMEs and research organisations.

How to prepare a strong application

Prospective applicants should review the official DTIF guidance, confirm partner eligibility and demonstrate how their proposed technology can move beyond research towards commercial deployment. A convincing application should clearly explain the innovation, market opportunity, delivery plan, economic impact and contribution of every consortium member.

Further details, application guidance and event information are available through the dedicated DTIF webpage at enterprise.gov.ie/DTIF.

Key takeaway

The new DTIF funding call gives Irish companies and research organisations access to substantial support for commercially focused technology projects. With €40 million available and applications closing on 3 February 2027, eligible consortia should begin forming partnerships and preparing proposals now.

Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie