A Priming Grant is a business start-up grant, available to micro enterprises within the first 18 months of start-up.

Priming grants may be available for sole traders, partnerships or limited companies that fulfil the following criteria:

• The enterprise must be in the added-value manufacturing or services with the potential to trade internationally. 
• The enterprise must not employ more than 10 people; In some cases, depending on certain criteria, businesses with 10 employees or more may be eligible;
• The enterprise must be established, registered and operate within County Donegal;
• The enterprise must operate in the commercial sphere;
• The enterprise must demonstrate a market for the product/service;
• The enterprise must have potential for growth in domestic and/or export markets and also potential for new job creation.

Eligible clients may be awarded a Priming Grant within the first eighteen months of setting up the business.

The maximum Priming Grant payable shall be 50% of the investment or €150,000 whichever is the lesser.

Expenditure may be considered under the following headings:

• Capital items
• Salary costs
• Consultancy/Innovation/Marketing costs

All grants of a value greater than or equal to €50,000 or with a cumulative value of €100,000 over three years require Enterprise Ireland Approval. Grants over €80,000 and up to €150,000 shall be the exception and shall only apply in the case of projects that clearly demonstrate a potential to graduate to Enterprise Ireland.  In all other cases, the maximum grant shall be 50% of the investment or €80,000 whichever is the lesser.  Subject to the 50% limit, a maximum grant of €15,000 per full time job created shall apply in respect of any employment support granted. 

Further Eligibility Criteria

Grant Claim Forms

Please download the grant claim forms below:

01 Supplier Set Amendment Form

02 Claim Form

03 Priming Grant Drawdown Checklist

04 Authorisation for Department of Social Protection

05 Employment Grant Claim Form

06 Employment Grant Claim Form - Drawdown Salary Form

07 Salary Grant Drawdown Checklist