Development of Market Research Skills Scheme

About this scheme

The Development of Market Research Skills Scheme helps small and medium-sized enterprises build their market development skills by supporting the internal costs they incur when researching new markets for their products and services. Unlike most schemes documented in the main Enterprise Supports PDF, this scheme's own page states no maximum grant amount or funding percentage; it is instead offered under the De Minimis rule, meaning total state aid to any one applicant across all schemes cannot exceed €300,000 over a rolling three-year period, with lower, separate ceilings applying to agriculture and fisheries/aquaculture undertakings. An application form specific to this scheme is available for download directly from the Údarás na Gaeltachta website. As with other Údarás supports, applicants should expect to work with their regional office and satisfy standard conditions, such as implementing a language plan and submitting a valid claim with supporting documentation before payment.

Who can apply

• Open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• For internal costs incurred when researching new markets for products and services
• Eligible costs: wages of those employed to undertake the marketing programme; travel and subsistence; internal costs in relation to new market trials for products/services
• Provided under the De Minimis rule: total aid to any one applicant, across all schemes and state bodies, cannot exceed €300,000 over a rolling 3-year financial period
• Undertakings in the agriculture or fisheries sectors are treated differently under the De Minimis rule and are generally not covered by the standard €300,000 ceiling (agricultural primary production is capped at €20,000 over 3 years in Ireland; fisheries and aquaculture at €30,000 over 3 years)

How to apply

1. 1Download the application form (Foirm Iarratais - Forbairt Scileanna Margaíochta) from the Údarás na Gaeltachta website.
2. 2Contact the relevant Údarás na Gaeltachta regional office (Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry or Cork) for advice and support.
3. 3Complete and submit the application form to the appropriate regional office, noting that the assistance is being sought under the De Minimis rule and in compliance with its conditions.
4. 4If approved, financial support applies from the date of issue of the Letter of Acknowledgement of receipt of application; grant aid cannot be approved retrospectively for expenditure incurred before this date.
5. 5As a condition of funding, implement a language plan to promote the use of Irish in the business.
6. 6Claim the grant by submitting a valid claim with supporting documentation confirming that all grant conditions were met and that all approved expenditure has been paid.