Innovation Voucher

About this scheme

The Innovation Voucher is a fixed-value voucher, provided under De Minimis Aid, that helps SME client companies access publicly funded knowledge providers such as universities and technological universities. It can be used for new product or process development, new business model development, new service delivery or development models, and tailored training in innovation management. To start, a company either contacts a knowledge provider from a list available from IDA Ireland, or sends a knowledge question to IDA for circulation to all knowledge providers. The company then submits an application form to its IDA Project Executive; once approved, the voucher is issued and the company and knowledge provider sign a Declaration confirming IP issues have been agreed. These are treated as academic research projects, so expected deliverables are reports, drawings, technical specifications, roadmaps or rough prototypes, rather than a finished commercial product.

Who can apply

• Available to help SME companies collaborate with publicly funded knowledge providers to address business challenges and identify new opportunities
• Provided under De Minimis Aid
• Company and knowledge provider must sign the Innovation Voucher “Declaration” agreeing intellectual property (IP) issues in advance
• Eligible expenditure: salary costs for researchers working on the project; small items of equipment and materials agreed in advance; small amounts of travel agreed in advance
• Expected deliverables are academic-research outputs (reports, drawings, technical specifications, technology roadmaps, rough prototypes, or results of specific analysis) — a finished commercial product should not be expected

How to apply

1. 1Make contact with a knowledge provider from the list available from IDA Ireland, or send a knowledge question to IDA for circulation to all knowledge providers, who will respond directly if relevant expertise matches.
2. 2Submit an application form by email to your IDA Project Executive (or send it to imed.abnoun@ida.ie).
3. 3IDA assesses the application form and project proposal.
4. 4If approved, the company is informed of the decision and the Innovation Voucher is issued; the company and knowledge provider sign the Innovation Voucher Declaration confirming IP issues have been discussed and agreed. The knowledge provider retains the voucher until project completion.
5. 5The company and knowledge provider agree the full work programme and costs prior to commencement of the project.
6. 6On drawdown, if project costs exceed the voucher value, the company must pay the balance; vouchers are exclusive of VAT, so VAT must be paid separately by the company.