Feasibility/Innovation Grants are designed to assist the promoter with researching market demand for a product or service and examining its sustainability.  It includes assistance with innovation including specific consultancy requirements, hiring of expertise from third level colleges, private specialists, design, patent costs and prototype development.

The maximum Feasibility/Innovation must not exceed 50% of the investment or €15,000 whichever is the lesser. 

Expenditure may be considered under the following headings:

• Innovation Costs - Costs under this category may include prototype development, innovation design, research costs, patent costs, and third level college consultancy.

• Own Labour Research - Costs under this category may include own labour involved in carrying out research/prototype development. The maximum amount chargeable under this category is €400 per week subject to the overall maximum under this category not exceeding 20% of the overall grant drawdown.

• Consultancy Costs - This includes design fees, architect, accountant and legal fees.

• Miscellaneous Costs - This may include telephone costs, mileage costs at €0.26 per kilometre, subsistence and overnight costs, air travel, etc.  The overall maximum drawdown in this category should not exceed 20% of the overall grant level.

• Note - Payments to state bodies including local authorities are excluded.

Please note primary processing, retail/wholesale, professional services and consultancies, tourism related businesses, local service businesses (restaurants, pubs, cafes, plumbers, hairdressers, construction, etc) or mobile assets (cars/vans) are not eligible for financial assistance.