Priming Grants

Administered by: Local Enterprise Offices

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

Funding: The maximum Priming Grant payable shall be 50% of the investment of €150,000, whichever is the lesser. Expenditure may be considered under the following headings:

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


All grants of a value greater than or equal to €50,000 or with a cumulative value of €100,000 over 3 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 of €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.

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