Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters Grant Funding Support for Events

The provision of Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters’ Grant will enable clients to explore and develop new market opportunities.

Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters’ Grants will part-fund the costs that can be incurred in investigating and researching export markets, e.g. exhibiting at Trade Fairs, preparing marketing material and developing websites specifically targeting overseas markets. These grants should increase the numbers of LEO clients developing new export opportunities. 

Grant Terms:

• Grant Covers 50% of eligible costs (net of vat) to a max of €2,500 in any calendar year.
• Applications must be made prior to any expenditure being incurred
• Payments will be made to approved projects on receipt of proof of payment of all qualifying and approved expenses.
• Successful applicants should consider using an Enterprise Ireland Mentor to develop an export/marketing plan.
• Applicants approved state funding must be tax compliant and confirmation and confirmation of the relevant PPSN/Tax Reference Number will be required before any grant payment can be made.

Projects eligible for support include:

• enterprises not employing more than 10 people;
• enterprises located within the geographic location of the Local Enterprise Office
• enterprises operating in the commercial sphere
• enterprises must demonstrate a market for their proposed product/service
• enterprises engaged in manufacturing or internationally traded service
• Innovative businesses with prototype products
• Enterprises must not have received any funding for this proposal from any other source

Eligible Expenditure categories

• Participation at trade fairs and shows covering Trade Show Exhibitor costs including rental/fees relating to space/stands; Note:- only direct costs associated with renting floor space, lighting, furniture, airfares, accomodation, freight; own labour does not qualify for assistance *
• Participation at international trade networking events organised through the Enterprise Europe Network;
• Development of specific Marketing Materials aimed at exploring new export markets;
• Translation, e.g. of existing material (booklets, webpages, etc.) for export markets;
• Development of export related websites; 
• Investigation of new internal or external processes to develop export business, e.g. new business model or the carrying out of non-regulatory technical requirements;
• Foreign travel & subsistence *

* Note: Travel & Subsistence Costs are only eligible for overseas trips as follows:

Eligible Travel Costs:

• Economy Air/Ferry or Rail Fares;
• Mileage (60c per kilometre) or
  Economy Car Hire (mileage cannot be claimed on Car Hire)

Subsistence Rates :

• Overnight Rate – 24-hour period: €200 per day
• Day rate: < 24 hours €60
• The subsistence rate covers all out of pocket expenses including hotels, meals, taxis local fares, incidentals. 

All applications received will be reviewed and processed accordingly within 2 weeks.

Ineligible Activities / Expenditure categories

• Achieving compliance with statutory regulation or legislation
• Standard training courses
• Ineligible sectors as defined by the Financial instrument
• Domestic trade fairs and shows unless proven that overseas buyers participate;
• Researching expanding market/sales activities within the Republic of Ireland;
• Researching into existing markets for existing products;
• Attendance at international conferences, summits, forums, symposiums, stand-alone company events are not eligible for support.
• Payments to State Bodies (including Local Authorities) as well as General Subsistence/Out-of-Pocket Expenses are excluded.
• The LEO must be satisfied that the proposed event does not qualify for assistance elsewhere, ie Enterprise Ireland, Leader Partnerships, Bord Bia, etc. 

Useful Information

• Guide for Irish Exporters

Please note that you can now download your Technical Assistance Grant Application Form as Gaeilge also:

1. Application Form As Gaeilge - E-Form
2. Application Form As Gaeilge - Print Form