EXEED Project Design and Feasibility Supports (Stage 1)

About this scheme

The EXEED (Excellence in Energy Efficient Design) project design and feasibility grant is Stage 1 of SEAI's two-stage EXEED scheme, aimed at building energy-efficient design into an investment project from the earliest possible stage, when up to 95% of a project's lifecycle cost is already set. It supports design-stage expenditure such as Energy Efficient Design expert costs, energy modelling, specialist consultancy services and detailed design costs, covering projects like a new building, major renovation, major upgrade, or repurposing of an existing asset. Grant intensity is up to 70% of eligible costs, with combined Stage 1 and Stage 2 EXEED funding for a single project capped at €3,000,000. Applicants apply online, submitting required declarations and supporting documents; SEAI evaluates the application (roughly 3 weeks) before issuing a Letter of Offer. Completing the feasibility study allows the applicant to progress to the Stage 2 capital investment grant.

Who can apply

• Open to any organisation, but primarily aimed at large energy users (typically more than 100,000 kWh per year)
• Feasibility of the project should not yet be established - this stage is for organisations still planning their project
• Eligible project types: a new design project (e.g. a new building), a major renovation of existing buildings/assets, a major upgrade to existing structures, or repurposing of an existing asset
• The designed or re-engineered asset must operate and be located in the Republic of Ireland
• Excludes: transport emissions not related to an on-site process; the fisheries industry; non energy-related projects such as R&D
• Grant covers design-stage costs including EED Expert costs, energy modelling, specialist consultancy services and detail design costs
• Maximum grant intensity is up to 50% of eligible costs; SEAI states the grant aid percentage actually applied is 50%-70% of eligible costs depending on organisation size
• Combined Stage 1 (design) and Stage 2 (capital investment) grant funding is capped at €3,000,000 per project
• A Declaration of SME Qualification is required; without it, the grant is capped at a maximum of 50%
• Lead Applicant must submit required supporting documentation (Declaration of Solvency, Declaration of Financial Resources, Declaration of SME Qualification, and a Stage 1 Multiple Buildings Form if applicable) before the application can be submitted

How to apply

1. 1The Lead Applicant from the organisation applies online using SEAI's application portal, attaching all required supporting documentation (Declaration of Solvency, Declaration of Financial Resources, Declaration of SME Qualification, and a Stage 1 Multiple Buildings Form if the application relates to multiple buildings on one site); the application cannot be submitted until all required documentation is attached.
2. 2SEAI evaluates the application, typically within 3 weeks, reviewing asset definition, integration of the EXEED process, the overall project schedule, clarity and appropriateness of proposed Stage 1 professional fees, energy saving potential, and financial information.
3. 3If approved, the applicant receives a Letter of Offer from SEAI; the grant calculation accepts relevant design-stage pre-investment services (EED Expert costs, technical feasibility studies, energy modelling) and applies a grant aid percentage of 50%-70% of eligible costs depending on organisation size.
4. 4The applicant completes the EXEED feasibility study and project plans; once the works are verified, Stage 1 is complete and the applicant can progress to Stage 2 (capital investment and implementation).