Údarás na Gaeltachta
New Markets Validation Grant
The New Markets Validation Grant incentivises companies to validate business opportunities in selected new geographical markets, supporting internal and external costs incurred to conduct market research, whether looking at a new geographical market for an existing product/service or an existing market for a new product/service. The grant is payable at a rate of 50% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum grant of €150,000, though sales and marketing activities are not eligible for support under this fund.
- Grant range
- Up to €150,000
- Funding level
- 50%
- Support type
- Grant
- Last checked
- 3 Sept 2026
About this scheme
The New Markets Validation Grant, part of Údarás na Gaeltachta's Market Development Supports, incentivises companies to validate business opportunities in selected new geographical markets, funding the internal and external costs of market research needed to validate target markets. It covers both directions of expansion: exploring a new geographical market for an existing product/service, or introducing a new product/service into an existing geographical market. Sales and marketing activities are explicitly excluded from support under this fund. The grant covers 50% of eligible expenditure up to a maximum of €150,000. 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
- Engaged in manufacturing or in eligible internationally traded services
- Have demonstrated the capacity to internationalise / develop international markets
- Employ a minimum of 5 employees
- Sales and marketing activities are not eligible for support under this fund
- Eligible expenditure: salaries and overheads; overseas travel and subsistence; consultancy; business accelerators; trade fairs; rental of office space
How to apply
- Contact the relevant Údarás na Gaeltachta regional office (Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Waterford or Meath) for advice and support.
- 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.