€500m Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund aims to encourage collaborations by industry and research sector into the development and commercialisation of ground-breaking technologies.
New projects are being sought under Call 7 of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund – DETE (enterprise.gov.ie) (DTIF).
The call for funding will be administered by Enterprise Ireland on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
“The Fund has already demonstrated its value in deepening innovation capability across the enterprise sector and embedding a culture of continuous innovation among Irish SMEs through collaboration with Ireland’s excellent research base”
Projects that complement the priority enterprise policy objectives on digital transformation and integrating decarbonisation and net zero commitments, as set out in the White Paper on Enterprise, are welcomed.
Transforming Irish innovation
Projects that help to drive the innovation and transformation opportunities that are needed in sectors such as construction are also encouraged. All projects will be expected to demonstrate a positive contribution to the sustainability targets in the Climate Action Plan.
“The Fund is seeking to encourage collaborative projects utilising cutting-edge technologies that will contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s economic growth,” said Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke, TD.
“We want projects that will make a real difference to people’s lives, especially in helping us to improve our level of digitalisation and achieve our climate action targets.
“The Irish enterprise and research sectors have regularly demonstrated their resilience and ability to adapt to challenges. We want to foster these capabilities by de-risking some of the costs associated with the development of truly disruptive, innovative projects,” Minister Burke said.
The Government has already allocated €371m to 104 successful projects approved under the six previous DTIF calls. These projects cover areas such as life sciences, medical devices, ICT, artificial intelligence, manufacturing and environmental.
Projects must be geared towards commercialisation over a 3 to 7-year timeframe. They must also align with Ireland’s six Research Priority Areas, namely ICT; Health and Wellbeing; Food; Energy, Climate Action and Sustainability; Manufacturing and Materials; and Business Services and Processes.
Call 7 is a rolling call which is open for submission of applications until 30 April 2025.
The Call was launched at the offices of Ostoform Ltd, the lead partner in a DTIF Call 3 project, in Mullingar.
Ostoform are working with two other project partners – Ross Polymer Ltd and Technological University Shannon – to develop an innovative ostomy pouch, used in the treatment of digestive and urinary conditions, which directs corrosive output away from the skin and improves patient wellbeing and quality of life.
“Enterprise Ireland is pleased to continue to support the reopening of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund on an open rolling basis, replacing the previous closed call approach,” said Enterprise Ireland CEO Leo Clancy.
“This will enhance the user-friendliness of a fund that has already demonstrated its value in deepening innovation capability across the enterprise sector and embedding a culture of continuous innovation among Irish SMEs through collaboration with Ireland’s excellent research base.
“We are beginning to see ground-breaking technologies and business advancement from earlier participants of the DTIF programme, such as the cutting-edge solution that Ostoform, Ross Polymer Ltd and Technological University Shannon are developing to improve the well-being and quality of life of ostomy patients.”
How to apply
Each project must have at least one SME and one other enterprise in a consortium of three or more project partners. Collaborations with the Irish research sectors are encouraged. All partners must be based in Ireland and be a client of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta or an eligible Research Performing Organisation.
The Fund targets industrial research and / or experimental development projects of scale and impact. The minimum funding request must be €1.5 million for projects of up to three years’ duration. SME partners must provide matched funding while large companies must provide 60% project funding.
All eligible applications received by the deadline of 30 April 2025 will undergo rigorous assessment by panels of independent international experts against four criteria – quality of the disruptive technology, excellence of overall approach, economic impact & sustainability and strength of the collaboration.
Prospective applicants can obtain detailed information on the Fund and on the application process here.
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