For a small business in Ireland, the best first contact depends on what kind of help you need. Start with the free National Enterprise Hub if you are unsure which support or agency fits. For EU research, innovation or partnership projects, contact Enterprise Europe Network Ireland and, for Horizon Europe, the relevant National Contact Point. Then check the live call’s eligibility rules and submission instructions: EU applications do not all go through the same portal.
Choose the right place to ask for help
National Enterprise Hub: a starting point if you are unsure
The National Enterprise Hub is a free, all-of-government service for businesses ranging from pre-startups and sole traders to established SMEs. The Department of Enterprise describes it as bringing together information on over 250 government supports, including grants, loans, mentoring and expert advice. The Hub’s FAQ separately says it covers over 287 supports from more than 30 departments and agencies; these are figures from different official pages, so check the live pages if the count matters.
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You can search and filter supports or ask a trained adviser through the Hub’s online service, phone or live chat. Its role is to help you find the relevant agency and support, not to award funding or decide whether your application succeeds. Check the Hub’s current contact details and opening hours before getting in touch.
Enterprise Europe Network Ireland: funding opportunities and partners
Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Ireland can help identify potential funding sources, find partners for collaborative European research projects, and locate existing projects a business might join. Its advisers may also direct you to organisations that can help validate or implement a project. This makes EEN a useful contact when your idea may need international research, commercial or technology partners. A specific call’s rules—not a general description of EU funding—determine whether your business can apply.
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The Irish government identifies EEN Ireland as a source of personalised business and technology opportunity support. The Irish network is delivered through a partnership involving Enterprise Ireland, Cork Chamber of Commerce, Dublin Chamber of Commerce and Local Enterprise Offices. Ask EEN which services are currently available for your programme and project.
National Contact Points: programme guidance for Horizon Europe
If you are considering Horizon Europe, contact the relevant Irish National Contact Point (NCP). The European Commission says NCPs can assist applicants and often run information sessions, networking events, proposal-writing workshops and partner-finding support. The Funding & Tenders Portal’s NCP directory lists typical help such as identifying relevant topics and action types, administrative and contractual guidance, proposal-writing assistance, forms and guidance documents, and partner searches. Use its current filters to find the appropriate contact.
NCP support is programme-specific: not every EU programme has an NCP. An NCP can guide you through a programme and application, but it does not evaluate your proposal or guarantee an award.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchEnterprise Ireland: investigate relevant programmes
Enterprise Ireland’s funding and grants catalogue includes programmes such as Eurostars and Innowwide among its innovation and internationalisation-related supports. Treat these as possibilities to investigate, not grants that automatically suit every small business. Check for a current call, its rules and the responsible adviser before investing time in an application.
Where to submit an application
The submission portal depends on the programme and how its funding is managed. Do not assume that every opportunity described as EU funding is submitted in one place.
| Funding route | Where to find or submit an application | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Directly managed EU call | The European Commission says the typical route is through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. | Check the individual call’s eligibility, criteria, templates, required documents and deadline. The usual process includes creating an account and registering the organisation before submitting. |
| EU funds managed with national or regional authorities | The Commission lists Ireland’s national portal as eufunds.ie. | Follow the relevant programme authority’s instructions for call scope, eligible applicants, funding conditions, timelines and application route. |
The Commission’s national single portals page explains that national and programme sites provide information about calls, objectives, applicant guidance and timelines. Always follow the live call’s own instructions; rules and steps vary between programmes and calls.
A practical route from idea to application
- Prepare a short project brief. Note your business size and location, the problem or opportunity, planned work, expected outcomes, likely partners, budget and timing. This helps an adviser direct you to a relevant route.
- Ask the National Enterprise Hub where to start. If you cannot tell whether the project suits an Irish support, an EU-linked programme or another route, ask the Hub to direct you to the responsible agency.
- Contact EEN or an NCP when the project calls for it. Ask EEN about EU funding sources and potential partners. For Horizon Europe, ask the relevant NCP about programme fit, application guidance and partner support.
- Read the actual call before committing. Confirm that your organisation and project are eligible, then check co-funding or other funding conditions, consortium requirements, required documents, assessment criteria, templates and deadline.
- Register and submit where that call directs. For a direct-managed call, this may mean the Funding & Tenders Portal. For an EU fund managed nationally or regionally, follow the relevant Irish programme authority’s instructions and consult eufunds.ie.
- Leave time to complete and submit. The Commission says proposals must be complete and submitted by the call deadline. Allow time to resolve registration, partner and document issues rather than treating the deadline as a target for starting.
How to decide which support route fits
- You need a general direction: start with the National Enterprise Hub, which can point you to the responsible agency.
- You need EU opportunity or partner-finding help: contact EEN Ireland, particularly for cross-border projects or collaboration.
- You are targeting Horizon Europe: find the appropriate NCP through the Funding & Tenders Portal for programme-specific guidance.
- You have identified a call but do not know the submission route: use that call’s page and programme authority instructions to identify the correct portal. Portal helpdesks can assist with portal processes or technical issues; they do not decide the project’s merit.
- You are considering a paid proposal consultant: treat this as an optional independent service, not an official requirement or endorsement. Ask what work is included and verify their experience and fees yourself. The official support routes above are the appropriate places to begin.
Check fit before spending time on an application
There is no safe blanket answer to whether an Irish small business qualifies for EU funding. Eligibility is set by each call and may depend on the business, project, activities, partners and other conditions. An adviser can help interpret a programme, but only the current call documents establish its rules. If a requirement is unclear, ask the programme contact before preparing a full proposal.
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