Reviewed 25 October 2026.
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Businesses in Ireland can find help with digital planning, AI skills and technical experimentation through several public programmes. These offer different things: advice, part-funded purchases, training or research expertise. Start with the work you need to improve, then choose the support route.
This guide covers programmes administered in the Republic of Ireland. If your business operates across the border, confirm which legal entity can apply. For separate Northern Ireland routes, see our Northern Ireland business support guide. Eligibility depends on the programme, not simply where your customers are.
| What you need | Route to investigate | What to establish |
|---|---|---|
| A review of existing systems | LEO Digital for Business | Business eligibility and the scope of the advisory review. |
| New business software | LEO Grow Digital Voucher | Eligible costs, prerequisite review and your contribution. |
| Research expertise for an innovation question | Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers | Company eligibility and a suitable registered knowledge provider. |
| An AI feasibility test or prototype | CeADAR EDIH | Service fit, eligibility, available support and expected deliverable. |
| Staff capability | Skillnet Business Networks | Relevant course, entry requirements, fees and support conditions. |
Digital for Business provides expert assessment of existing digital systems, improvement opportunities and implementation options. It is an advisory support, rather than an unrestricted budget to buy software.
The published criteria include 1–50 paid employees, at least six months trading, operation within the relevant LEO area, solvency and current tax clearance. Current Enterprise Ireland and IDA clients are excluded. Group-company and sector rules also apply, so discuss your circumstances with the LEO.
The Grow Digital Voucher is a separate application. It requires a Digital for Business project completed within the previous two years and provides 50% of eligible costs, subject to a cumulative grant maximum of €5,000. Eligible expenditure includes qualifying new off-the-shelf software subscriptions and associated training or configuration. Bespoke software and bespoke website development are excluded.
The official rules require application before project expenditure or activity, including committing to an order or contract. Ask the LEO what must happen before your proposed start date; submission does not guarantee an award. Separate licence, configuration, training and custom-development costs in any quotation.
Innovation Vouchers connect eligible SMEs with registered publicly funded knowledge providers. The standard voucher is €10,000. A co-funded project can reach €20,000, with the company contributing half.
Applicants must meet the programme's company and SME criteria, including CRO registration; sector and organisational exclusions apply. The knowledge-provider list includes institutions in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. That does not make every business in both jurisdictions eligible to apply.
Use the programme for an innovation question requiring academic expertise. Routine software purchases, standard website development and ordinary training are not its purpose. A voucher is redeemed through the knowledge provider, not treated as a general budget for hiring a private consultancy. Exceptional external consultancy input requires advance programme approval through that provider.
Agree the question, deliverables, timetable and full costs before work begins. The company pays VAT separately and any costs beyond the award. Expected outputs may include analysis, specifications or a prototype; a finished commercial product should not be assumed.
CeADAR's European Digital Innovation Hub programme offers digital maturity assessment, skills development, feasibility work and support for proofs of concept and prototypes. It is a relevant route when you need to establish whether an AI approach can work with your information.
Enterprise Ireland's EDIH guidance describes discounted services for eligible organisations, with size, State aid and other conditions. Ask the hub to confirm your eligibility and available service allocation. A discounted service is not cash to spend with a supplier of your choice.
Define what the experiment must demonstrate: suitable inputs, acceptable errors, review effort and a usable output. Agree what happens after the prototype, including ownership, access and the work needed for operational use.
Government guidance on Skillnet Business Networks describes part-funded training for Republic of Ireland private-sector businesses, including sole traders. Individual courses have their own entry criteria. Find a network relevant to your sector or region and ask about suitable programmes, fees, places and delivery dates.
Separate course-fee support from support for staff time. For example, the National Enterprise Hub describes the Upskill SME Training Grant as recovery of eligible employee salary costs for approved AI training. Its listed pilot training window ends on 31 December 2026. Check the current application rules and allocation before relying on it.
Choose training around a task staff actually perform. Ask whether participants will practise checking sources, handling missing information and recognising when to stop. Attendance alone does not establish that a team can run a workflow reliably.
Ireland's National AI Strategy refresh sets out policy priorities for adoption, skills, research and trustworthy AI. It provides context, but it is not an award letter or proof that a particular project or supplier qualifies for support.
For university or research collaboration, prepare one precise question and enough approved sample material for a researcher to assess the work. Agree confidentiality, ownership and a realistic output before sharing an archive.
Keep written confirmation of the programme's decision and your supplier's scope. An eligible business does not automatically have an eligible project, cost or supplier. Public support can help you explore an opportunity; it cannot establish the business case for you.
For commercial scoping and delivery, see Blue Canvas AI consultancy for businesses in Ireland or arrange a free conversation. Confirm any proposed funded arrangement with the programme administrator; this guide makes no claim that Blue Canvas is an approved provider under a particular scheme.
Blue Canvas AI Ltd is responsible for this guide. Spotted an error? Email contact@bluecanvas.ai.
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