GradStart

About this scheme

GradStart supports Enterprise Ireland client companies (and eligible LEO/Údarás na Gaeltachta clients) to effectively compete for graduate talent, embedding innovative graduate capability and improving the skills base of the business. Companies can hire up to 3 graduates at any one time on 24-month full-time contracts, broad-based across all disciplines and sectors, excluding sales and marketing roles; graduates complete a project linked to the company's growth plan, supported by an in-company mentor and adequate infrastructure. Enterprise Ireland provides financial support of €30,000 (€15,000/year) or 50% of individual graduate salary costs, whichever is less, rising to €42,000 (€21,000/year, capped at a €30,000/year salary) or 70% of salary costs where a graduate has demonstrated language proficiency needed for the project. It is funded under De Minimis aid, capped at €200,000 per company over a rolling 3-fiscal-year period. Eligibility spans SME/mid-tier companies, certain Large companies, HPSU Accelerate companies, LEO clients and Údarás na Gaeltachta clients, each with its own staff-count and graduate-number limits. Payment is staged across three claims (25%/25%/50%) tied to the Letter of Offer, the graduate's 12-month mark, and completion of the full 24-month placement.

Who can apply

• Open to Enterprise Ireland SME and mid-tier companies (fewer than 500 employees), Large companies (in certain circumstances), HPSU Accelerate companies, LEO clients, and Údarás na Gaeltachta clients
• LEOs are limited to 1 graduate on a 2-year contract at any one time and must have a minimum of 5 full-time employees to qualify
• HPSU Accelerate companies (eligible for 1 graduate) must have a minimum of 5 full-time employees based in Ireland, have an approved EI equity investment drawn down at least 6 months prior to application, and demonstrate satisfactory progress against their business plan and adequate funding for the placement duration
• Large companies (up to 3 graduates) must not currently have a formal 'Graduate Programme' in place, and the initiative seeks to support companies that are EBITA positive (EBITA-negative applications can only be approved as a policy exception)
• Graduate must be seeking a graduate entry-level position; hold a qualification of at least Level 6 (or postgraduate degree at least Level 9) on the National Vocational Qualifications Framework or equivalent; have a valid Irish work permit (if required) for the 24-month placement, or a renewable 1-year working visa; and have graduated within the last 4 years
• Graduates may work in any area except sales and marketing
• Company must define a project linked to its growth/strategic plan, demonstrate adequate infrastructure (workspace, tools, supervision) for the graduate, and identify an in-company mentor
• For the 70% language-proficiency rate, the company must clearly demonstrate how the language will be used to deliver the project (both graduate and company co-sign a letter confirming proficiency; EI may assess proficiency using the CEFRL at any stage); the 50% and 70% rates are not transferable or interchangeable
• GradStart is funded under De Minimis aid, subject to a rolling 3-fiscal-year De Minimis limit of €200,000; companies that have exceeded their De Minimis limit are not eligible
• Ineligible companies: partnerships; small enterprises in the agricultural sector (per State aid guidelines); companies with charitable status, commercial semi-state companies, not-for-profits, trade associations, representation bodies (e.g. Chambers of Commerce), sports clubs, and other non-commercial bodies
• Ineligible graduates: those without the required academic standard or equivalent; without a valid Irish work permit at application; more than 4 years post-graduation; already recruited/on payroll prior to the grant support date, transferred from another company location, performing a sales or marketing role, supported by the Jobs Plus Programme, or (where required) unable to provide proof of language proficiency
• Ineligible costs: recruitment costs, graduate-salary bonuses, Employers' PRSI, travel and subsistence (Ireland or overseas), accommodation costs, and any expenditure incurred before the application was received

How to apply

1. 1Contact your assigned Enterprise Ireland Development Advisor (or LEO/Údarás na Gaeltachta Executive) to discuss the application before submitting; Údarás na Gaeltachta companies must apply directly to Údarás na Gaeltachta
2. 2Apply via the Enterprise Ireland Online Application System; first-time applicants must register; there are no call close dates and the process is not competitive
3. 3At application, set out the specific title, role and purpose of the graduate for the 2-year contract; any post-Letter-of-Offer change to this will make the offer null and void and cancel the grant
4. 4Enterprise Ireland's Development Advisor evaluates the application (potential strategic impact, company's commitment to capability building, quality of proposed infrastructure, and previous EI financial support/performance) and it is put forward for recommendation by the relevant Department Manager
5. 5If approved, the company receives a Letter of Offer and has up to 6 months to recruit the approved graduate(s); companies attract, interview and hire their own graduates (e.g. via Enterprise Ireland's Gradhub.ie website), and must pay at least the national minimum wage
6. 6First claim (25% of approved eligible employment costs): on receipt by EI of the signed Letter of Offer, graduate employment contract, copy of the graduate's qualifications, and a tax clearance certificate
7. 7Second claim (25%): payable on completion of the graduate's first 12-month placement
8. 8Third claim (50%): payable on completion of the graduate's full 24-month placement; each claim requires valid tax clearance, proof of graduate payment, a copy of the graduate's payslip, a director's statement, and the relevant claim form; claims must be submitted no later than the Final Claim Date in the Letter of Offer, or any unclaimed balance is cancelled