GradStart Initiative

About this scheme

GradStart, part of Údarás na Gaeltachta's Employment & Training Supports, helps indigenous companies scale by supporting the employment of good graduate talent on a 2-year contract to deliver clearly defined projects, in any area except sales and marketing. The only eligible cost is the graduate's salary — recruitment costs, salary-related bonuses, and employer PRSI contributions are not covered. Support ranges from €30,000 up to €42,000 over the 2-year contract, with the higher rate available where a graduate with language skills is needed. Large companies may employ up to 3 graduates at any one time under the initiative. As with other schemes, payment is made on receipt of a valid claim supported by documentation confirming that all grant conditions were met and approved expenditure was paid.

Who can apply

• Applicant must be incorporated
• Engaged in, or proposing to engage in, manufacturing or in eligible internationally traded services
• Must employ a minimum of 5 staff
• Graduate role must be full-time, working hours in line with the company's standard full-time hours, and cannot be in sales or marketing
• Large companies may employ up to 3 graduates at any one time under this initiative
• Standard support is up to €30,000 (€15,000/year) or 50% of the graduate's salary costs over the 2-year contract, whichever is lower; this rises to up to €42,000 (€21,000/year) or 70% of salary, whichever is lower, where the company demonstrates a clear need for a graduate with language skills
• Ineligible: partnerships; small enterprises in the agricultural sector (excluded per State aid guidelines); companies with charitable status; commercial semi-state companies; 'not for profit' organisations; trade associations; representative bodies such as Chambers of Commerce; sports clubs; and other non-commercial bodies or associations
• Ineligible costs: recruitment costs; bonuses related to the graduate's salary; employer's PRSI contributions

How to apply

1. 1Contact the relevant Údarás na Gaeltachta regional office (Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Waterford or Meath) for advice and support.
2. 2Complete a grant application form, available at www.udaras.ie or from any regional office.
3. 3Submit the completed application form to the appropriate regional office.
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.