Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF)

About this scheme

The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) is a €500 million challenge-based fund established under Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan 2018-2027. Managed by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and administered by Enterprise Ireland, it supports collaborative 'industrial research' and/or 'experimental development' projects that aim to alter markets, change how businesses operate, or create new products or business models, addressing one of six National Research Priority Areas. Cost-sharing rates vary by partner type. Over €530 million has been awarded to 131 projects across seven calls to date. Call 8, announced 9 June 2026, has a €40 million budget, opens for applications 1 October 2026, and closes 3 February 2027; new features include eligibility for Irish Semi-State/public bodies as non-funded partners and a mandatory pre-eligibility check. Applications are assessed on the strength of the disruptive technology dimension, proposal excellence, economic impact/sustainability, and quality of collaboration.

Who can apply

• Applicant must be a current client of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, or Údarás na Gaeltachta, or an eligible Research Performing Organisation (RPO), and based in Ireland
• Projects must be collaborative, involving at least three independent partners seeking DTIF funding, including at least one SME and one other enterprise partner
• Total project funding sought must be a minimum of €1.5 million over three years
• SMEs can claim no more than 50% of their eligible costs; large companies can claim no more than 40% of their eligible costs
• Research organisations (including colleges) can claim up to 100% of their eligible costs, but cannot receive more than 50% of the total DTIF grant aid for a project
• Eligible research activity must be 'industrial research' and/or 'experimental development' (Technology Readiness Levels 3-9), addressing one of six National Research Priority Areas: ICT; health and wellbeing; food; energy, climate action and sustainability; manufacturing and materials; and services and business processes
• All company partners must provide financial information demonstrating they are not an 'Undertaking in Difficulty' (UiD)
• From Call 8, Irish Semi-State organisations and public bodies are eligible to participate as non-funded partners, provided the project still includes at least three other eligible funded partners
• From Call 8, a mandatory pre-eligibility check is required for all applicants before submitting a full proposal

How to apply

1. 1Review the DTIF overview, eligibility criteria, and 'why you should apply' guidance for your partner type on the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment website
2. 2Read the Guide for Applicants and other Call 8 documentation published by the Department
3. 3Complete the mandatory pre-eligibility check introduced for Call 8 before submitting a proposal
4. 4Optionally attend a DisrupTech on Tour regional event (one of ten locations across Ireland) for briefings, networking, and help forming a consortium
5. 5Assemble a collaborative consortium of at least three independent funded partners (including at least one SME and one other enterprise partner), plus any eligible non-funded Semi-State/public body partners
6. 6Submit a full application within the Call 8 application window (opens 1 October 2026, closes 3 February 2027 at 3pm Irish time)
7. 7Applications are assessed after the deadline against four evaluation criteria: strength of the disruptive technology dimension, excellence of the overall proposal and approach, economic impact and sustainability, and quality/efficiency of the collaboration
8. 8Successful projects are ranked by weighted evaluation score and funded according to the available budget; funded projects are expected to start within 6 months of the Ministerial announcement of award