Innovation 

Research for Irish Companies 

There are several research funding opportunities available for Irish companies, most notably Innovation Partnerships. 

The Innovation Partnership programme run by Enterprise Ireland (EI) offers up to 80% of the research cost to companies who collaborate in research with a university or institute of technology. 

In this way the “risk” is shared by the company, the college and Enterprise Ireland. The programme allows for a company to take bigger explorative risks in R&D while having control of the project scope. Importantly, ownership of intellectual property is negotiated at the outset. The cost of an Innovation Partnership to the company is variable and is dependent on the type of research involved.  

CREST will write the proposal, cost it for the budget, and consult with the relevant EI development advisor before it is presented to the IRC (Industrial Research Committee). CREST will hire and manage the staff, deal with the IP arrangements and project manage the project. 

A 25% tax credit for qualifying Research and Development expenditure exists for companies engaged in in-house qualifying research and development undertaken within the European Economic Area.

Technology Transfer  

CREST have successfully transferred sixteen licenses from previous research, enabling Irish manufacturers to commence exporting their products. This was achieved in conjunction with TU Dublin Innovation (formerly Hothouse) within TU Dublin.

Details of CREST technologies available for licensing include: 

• Chromate Free Sol-Gel Coating for Aluminium
• Light-activated Anti-bacterial Powder

 

The CREST Technology Gateway is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27