Market Explorer Grant

The Market Explorer Grant assists businesses in exploring and developing new market opportunities, supporting first-time, small-scale exporters to undertake essential market research and develop viable and sustainable market entry strategies for new geographic markets. The grant is payable at a rate of 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum grant of €10,000.

Grant range: Up to €10,000
Funding level: 50%
Support type: Grant
Last checked: 3 Sept 2026

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About this scheme

The Market Explorer Grant, part of Údarás na Gaeltachta's Market Development Supports, helps small businesses explore and develop new market opportunities, specifically supporting first-time, small-scale exporters to undertake essential market research and build viable, sustainable market entry strategies in new geographic markets. Eligible costs cover market research (purchasing reports, databases or information from specialist providers, plus translation/interpreting services, with a requirement to first check availability via the Enterprise Ireland Market Research Centre), in-market consultancy to develop and validate a market plan, Trade Fair attendance/exhibition costs, and overseas travel and subsistence related to the project. The grant covers 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of €10,000. 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

Small enterprises employing between 1 and 50 employees
Engaged in manufacturing or in eligible internationally traded services
Solvent, as demonstrated in their financial statements
Operating commercially, established and trading for at least 12 months, registered, and carrying on activity in the Gaeltacht
Have demonstrated intention to develop international markets
Eligible expenditure: Market Research (purchasing reports, databases and information from specialist market research companies, plus translation/interpreting services, when validating a market plan; applicants must first contact Údarás na Gaeltachta to check if the report is already available via the Enterprise Ireland Market Research Centre); In-Market Consultancy (third-party expertise to develop and validate a market plan); Trade Fair Attendance/Exhibition (participation at recognised international Trade Fairs, including entry fees, stand/space rental, transport, and travel/subsistence); Overseas Travel (travel and subsistence for overseas trips related to the project; travel/subsistence for time spent in Ireland is not eligible)

How to apply

Contact the relevant Údarás na Gaeltachta regional office (Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Waterford or Meath) for advice and support, and to confirm whether a required market research report is already available via the Enterprise Ireland Market Research Centre before purchasing one.
Complete a grant application form, available at www.udaras.ie or from any regional office.
Submit the completed application form to the appropriate regional office.
If 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.
As a condition of funding, implement a language plan to promote the use of Irish in the business.
Claim 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.