GradStart Programme

About this scheme

GradStart provides financial assistance to Local Enterprise Office client companies to hire one graduate on a two-year contract, bringing new skills and innovation into SMEs to support growth and competitiveness. The supported project must be linked to the company's strategic growth plan, with proven infrastructure and a named in-company mentor for the graduate; sales or marketing roles are not eligible. Eligible expenditure is limited to the graduate's salary and wages, excluding Employer's PRSI and bonuses.

Graduates must be seeking an entry-level role, hold at least a Level 6 National Vocational Qualification (or equivalent), have graduated within the last four years, and hold a valid work permit or renewable 1-year working visa for the full placement. No specific grant amount or funding percentage is stated on the LEO page — applicants should discuss the programme with their Local Enterprise Office before applying via the Enterprise Ireland GradStart portal.

Who can apply

• Company must operate in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector
• Company must employ a minimum of 5 full-time staff
• Ineligible companies: partnerships; small enterprises in the agricultural sector (excluded under State aid guidelines); charities, commercial semi-state companies, not-for-profit organisations, trade associations, representative bodies (e.g. Chambers of Commerce), sports clubs, and other non-commercial bodies
• The project must be linked to the company's overall growth/strategic development plan, with proven infrastructure (workspace, equipment, colleague/supervisor support) for the graduate and a named in-company mentor
• Projects related to a company's sales or marketing activities are ineligible
• Graduate must be seeking a graduate entry-level position, hold a recognised qualification of at least Level 6 on the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (or equivalent), hold a valid work permit for the 24-month placement (or a renewable 1-year working visa), have graduated within the last four years, and provide proof of language proficiency if required
• Ineligible graduates include those without the required academic standard or valid work permit, those more than four years post-graduation, graduates already on the company payroll or transferred from another company location prior to grant support, graduates in sales/marketing roles, and graduates already supported by the Jobs Plus Programme
• Eligible expenditure is limited to graduate salaries/wages (excluding Employer's PRSI and bonuses); recruitment costs, bonuses, PRSI, travel/subsistence, and accommodation costs are ineligible
• Expenditure incurred before the application is received is ineligible; any change to the graduate's agreed title, role or purpose after the letter of offer voids the offer and cancels the grant

How to apply

1. 1Discuss your proposed GradStart project and graduate role with your Local Enterprise Office before applying.
2. 2Define the project as part of your company's overall growth/strategic plan, confirm you have the infrastructure to support the graduate, and identify an in-company mentor.
3. 3Submit your application via the Enterprise Ireland GradStart portal, setting out the specific title, role and purpose of the graduate position for the 2-year contract.