Business grants in Ireland 2026: grants and State supports for SMEs

The main SME grants in Ireland in 2026 come from Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland and SEAIThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the State body that supports energy efficiency and renewable energy., with State-backed loans from Microfinance Ireland and the SBCIA State-owned body that makes low-cost funding and loan guarantees available to Irish SMEs, farmers and fishers through participating banks and non-bank finance providers.. Which agency is right depends on your size and market. As a rough guide:

• Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs): small businesses, with grants mainly for those with up to 10 employees in manufacturing and services.
• Enterprise Ireland: established, export-ready technology, manufacturing and internationally traded services companies.
• Microfinance Ireland: microenterprises with fewer than 10 employees and turnover under €2 million.
• SBCI: State-backed loans for SMEs and small mid-caps, which you apply for directly with participating lenders.
• SEAI: grants and tax incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy.

There are LEOs in every local authority area. Their direct grants are for businesses in the manufacturing and services sectors, subject to eligibility. Retail, personal services, professional services, construction and local services are generally not eligible for these grants. Our Local Enterprise Office grants guide explains eligibility and the application process in detail.

• Priming Grant: for micro enterprises with up to 10 employees within the first 18 months of start-up. Up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at €80,000, and up to €150,000 in certain cases.
• Business Expansion Grant: for businesses with up to 10 staff in the growth phase after the first 18 months. Up to 50% of eligible costs, or up to €150,000 in exceptional circumstances.
• Feasibility/Innovation Grant: to research market demand or develop a prototype. 50% of costs (60% in the Border, Midlands and West regions), capped at €15,000.
• Salary support under Priming and Expansion grants: up to €15,000 per full-time job created, within the 50% limit.

LEOs also offer other supports, such as the Energy Efficiency Grant, Grow Digital, the Market Explorer Grant, Lean for Micro and mentoring. Amounts and criteria vary, so speak to your local LEO before you apply.

Microfinance Ireland (MFI) is a State lender for microenterprises: businesses with fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover under €2 million. Sole traders, partnerships and limited companies can apply.

• Loans of €2,000 to €50,000 for commercially viable proposals.
• Packages for start-up, cashflow, expansion, vehicles and smaller needs.
• Applying through a Local Enterprise Office reduces the interest rate by 1%.
• Businesses declined by a bank can still be considered.

Enterprise Ireland works with established, export-ready technology, manufacturing and internationally traded services companies, from start-ups to large firms. It offers advice, funding and grants, market access help and capability development.

One support many SMEs can use is the Innovation Voucher. A standard voucher is worth €10,000; a co-funded voucher adds an equal cash contribution from your company, for projects up to €20,000. Vouchers buy innovation expertise from a knowledge provider such as a college or research centre. Larger R&D, capital and employment grants are generally for Enterprise Ireland client companies.

The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) does not lend directly. It provides State-backed funding through participating lenders, often at lower rates or with lighter security.

Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS)

On 12 October 2026 the Government announced that the GSLS was doubling from €500 million to €1 billion, with applications open until 30 June 2029 or until it is fully subscribed. At least 30% of lending is aimed at environmental sustainability.

• Loans of €25,000 to €3 million over 7 to 10 years.
• Unsecured up to €500,000, subject to certain exceptions. Loans above €500,000 may need security, at the lender's discretion; any personal guaranteeA legally binding promise by a director or other individual to repay a company's debt if the company cannot. is capped at 20% of the loan.
• Qualifying green loans get an extra 0.25% interest discount.
• You need an SBCI eligibility codeA reference number issued by the SBCI, after a short online application, confirming that a business meets the basic criteria for a scheme such as the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme., valid for six months, before applying directly to a participating lender.
• The participating lenders are AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB, with Close Brothers and Finance Ireland due to start taking applications (announced 12 October 2026).
• It cannot be used to refinance existing debt.

Green Transition Finance

For larger green projects, SBCI's Green Transition Finance offers loans of €500,000 to €5 million over up to 10 years, for projects such as energy efficiency, renewable energy and green building renovations that meet InvestEU sustainability criteria.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) runs several business supports, covered in more detail in our guide to funding energy upgrades. Key ones include:

• Energy audit voucher: €2,000 towards an audit by an SEAI-registered energy auditor, for businesses that spend at least €10,000 a year on energy at the site (excluding transport) and use less than 2.8 GWh (10 TJ) of energy a year from all sources. Under SEAI's updated criteria, effective from 12 October 2026, there is a limit of one voucher per business, and businesses above 2.8 GWh must carry out a mandatory audit instead, which the voucher cannot fund.
• Non-Domestic Microgen Grant for solar PV: from 6 October 2026 to 6 July 2027, new applications get an effective 45% of eligible costs; check the current maximum on seai.ie.
• EXEED Grant Scheme (capital supports): up to 40% of eligible costs, to a maximum of €3 million per project, mainly for larger energy users.
• Electric vehicle grants for electric vans, and supports for heat pumps and renewable heat.
• Accelerated Capital AllowancesA Revenue tax relief that lets a company write off the full cost of qualifying energy-efficient equipment against its taxable profits in the year it is bought, rather than over several years.: a tax deduction for the full cost of eligible energy-efficient equipment in the year of purchase.

Do not start works before you receive an SEAI letter of offer. Starting early is a common reason for losing a grant.

The R&D tax credit is not a grant, but it can return significant cash to companies carrying out qualifying research and development. Under Finance Act 2025, the credit rate rose from 30% to 35% of qualifying expenditure for accounting periods ending from 31 December 2026, and the amount that can be paid in the first instalment rose from €75,000 to €87,500. The credit is paid in three annual instalments, and the company can take each one as a repayment or use it against tax. Budget 2027 proposes raising the first-instalment amount again, to €105,000, subject to the Finance Bill; see our news post on the R&D changes.

The rules on qualifying activity, pre-filing notifications and timing are detailed. Talk to your accountant or tax adviser before relying on the credit in your plans. Our R&D tax credit guide explains how it is paid.

Most grants are paid in arrears. You usually have to buy the equipment or complete the work, pay for it, and then claim. Grants also tend to cover only part of the cost, so you need to fund the rest yourself.

• Bridging: a short-term business loan or working capitalThe money a business has available to fund day-to-day operations, calculated as current assets, such as cash, stock and debtors, minus current liabilities, such as suppliers and short-term debt. facility can cover the full cost until the grant is paid.
• Matching funding: a term loan or SBCI loan can fund your own share of the project. Our guide to small business loans in Ireland compares the main options.
• Asset financeAn umbrella term for funding used to acquire vehicles, plant, machinery, equipment or technology, where the asset itself usually acts as security.: hire purchaseA form of asset finance where the company pays for an asset in instalments, often after a deposit, and takes ownership once the final payment and any option-to-purchase fee are made. or leasing can spread the cost of grant-aided equipment.
• R&D tax credit funding: some lenders will advance funds against an expected R&D tax credit claim.

Check the grant conditions before arranging finance. Some grants have rules on ownership of assets, so leased equipment may not qualify. All finance is subject to status and lender approval.

Grant funding is competitive, and agencies want to see that public money will make a real difference. A few habits help:

• Talk to the agency first. LEO business advisers and Enterprise Ireland development advisers can tell you whether your project fits before you spend time on a form.
• Do not spend before approval. Most schemes will not fund costs incurred before your application is approved or your letter of offer is issued.
• Have a clear business plan with realistic financial projections, showing how the project will create jobs, sales or exports.
• Keep your tax affairs up to date. Many schemes require tax clearance, and SEAI requires a tax clearance certificate if you receive more than €10,000 in government grants in a calendar year.
• Declare any other State support you have received, as State aid limits can apply across schemes.
• Keep invoices, proof of payment and records in order, as you will need them to draw down the grant.

Welcome Finance does not arrange grants or SBCI loans. Where a company needs a short-term business loan or working capital loan to cover costs until a grant is paid, our panel of specialist non-bank lenders may be able to consider it. Tell us what your company needs and we'll tell you honestly whether our panel can help, or where to apply instead. We are paid commission by lenders. We do not charge your company a fee and never ask for payment upfront. Welcome Finance is a commercial finance broker, not a lender, is not regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, and arranges business-purpose finance only for companies registered in Ireland (LTD, DAC, PLC, ULC).

Below is a short summary of each tax relief, enterprise allowance and State-backed lending support. For who can apply and how, follow the link under each one to its full details on our Grants and supports page. For other providers, see our guides to Local Enterprise Office grants, energy grants and green loans and Enterprise Ireland and InterTradeIreland, or the full list of grants and supports.

Credit Review Service (Credit Review)

An independent review if your bank refuses, reduces or withdraws a business loan of up to €3 million, or will not restructure your bank debt.

How much: Fee of €100 to €250, depending on the loan amount. When: You can apply at any time.

Full details, who can apply and how to apply: Credit Review Service on our grants page. Official source: Credit Review.

Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (Department of Social Protection)

Lets you keep part of your social welfare payment for up to two years while you start your own business.

How much: 100% of your payment in year one and 75% in year two; Enterprise Support Grant of up to €2,500. When: You can apply at any time.

Full details, who can apply and how to apply: Back to Work Enterprise Allowance on our grants page. Official source: Department of Social Protection.

Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (Department of Social Protection)

Replaces your Jobseeker's Benefit with an allowance at the same rate while you start a new business, for as long as your entitlement lasts.

How much: Same rate as your Jobseeker's Benefit, for up to 9 months; Enterprise Support Grant of up to €1,000. When: You can apply at any time.

Full details, who can apply and how to apply: Short-Term Enterprise Allowance on our grants page. Official source: Department of Social Protection.

Microfinance Ireland business loans (Microfinance Ireland)

Unsecured loans for start-ups and micro businesses that are finding it hard to borrow from a bank, for start-up, cash flow, expansion, agri or vehicle needs.

How much: €2,000 to €50,000; 6.5% fixed (5.5% if you apply through your Local Enterprise Office). When: You can apply at any time.

Full details, who can apply and how to apply: Microfinance Ireland business loans on our grants page. Official source: Microfinance Ireland.

Knowledge Development Box (Revenue)

A lower effective Corporation Tax rate on profits from patented inventions and software that your company developed through its own R&D.

How much: Effective 10% Corporation Tax rate on qualifying profits. When: You can apply at any time.

Full details, who can apply and how to apply: Knowledge Development Box on our grants page. Official source: Revenue.

R&D Corporation Tax Credit (Revenue)

A Corporation Tax credit on qualifying research and development spending, paid or offset in three instalments.

How much: 35% of qualifying spend for accounting periods generally ending on or after 31 December 2026 (30% before). When: You can apply at any time.

Full details, who can apply and how to apply: R&D Corporation Tax Credit on our grants page. Official source: Revenue.

Tax relief for new start-up companies (section 486C) (Revenue)

Reduces or removes Corporation Tax on trading income for a new company's first five years, linked to the employer PRSI it pays.

How much: Full relief where Corporation Tax is €40,000 or less; partial relief between €40,000 and €60,000. When: You can apply at any time.

Full details, who can apply and how to apply: Tax relief for new start-up companies (section 486C) on our grants page. Official source: Revenue.

Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (SBCI)

Government-backed long-term loans at reduced rates for growth, resilience or climate action projects, applied for directly through participating lenders.

How much: €25,000 to €3 million, over 7 to 10 years; unsecured up to €500,000. When: Open for applications. Closing date: 30 June 2029.

Full details, who can apply and how to apply: Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme on our grants page. Official source: SBCI.