Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) round 5 now open with a focus on manufacturing

The fifth round of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) has just opened for applications. The focus this time round is on the advanced and smart manufacturing sector with a closing deadline of the 14th July 2022.

Launched under the National Development Plan (NDP) back in 2018, the DTIF is a €500 million fund set up to support investment in commercially viable disruptive new technologies and applications.

Together with administrative support from Enterprise Ireland, the DTIF is managed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The purpose of the fund is to drive collaboration between Ireland’s world-class research base and industry as well as facilitating enterprises to compete directly for funding in support of the development and adoption of these technologies.

The government has allocated €235 million to 72 projects to date, across three previous DTIF calls. These projects span a range of areas, including medical devices, Cell and Gene Therapies, artificial intelligence, ICT, environmental sustainability and, of course, manufacturing.

DTIF round 5: Criteria and purpose

Round 5 is targeting the advanced and smart manufacturing sector, supporting the development of disruptive, novel innovation in conventional manufacturing operations. A range of international experts will make up the panel, assessing each application against four criteria:

• Quality of the disruptive technology
• Strength of the collaboration
• Economic impact & sustainability
• Excellence of overall approach

DTIF requires a collaborative approach, with at least three partners. To be eligible, the partnership must include an SME, a manufacturer and one other entity. Collaborations with Research Performing Organisations (RPO) is welcomed.

SMEs are funded at 50%, large companies at 40% and RPOs at 100%

Each partner must also be based in Ireland and be a client of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta or an eligible RPO upon submission of the application. The remit of eligible research has also been widened to include experimental development as well as industrial research.

Projects must also have a commercial purpose with commercialisation expected to occur over the next three to seven years.

However, there’s one key difference to bear in mind compared to previous years. That is that for round 5, applications must be focussed on advanced and smart manufacturing.

Commenting on the opening of the latest round, Enterprise minister Leo Varadkar said: “The story of Irish manufacturing is one of incredible transformation and progress. We want this level of innovation and adaption to continue.

“The manufacturing sector employs over 260,000 people across the country. We want to grow the industry further, and the sector will now need to rise to a new set of challenges.”

Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, added: “For this call, applicants can now submit projects utilising experimental development research as well as industrial research.

“I would expect to see companies involved in manufacturing and in associated supply chains exploiting the opportunity to give themselves a competitive advantage in their sector.

“On their own, many SMEs may not have the capacity to take on the broad range of activity required to maximise their investment in industrial research or experimental development.

“However, they can use the fund to collaborate with other SMEs or with larger enterprises and research institutions to share the workload and achieve their objectives.”

More information can be found around eligibility, objectives and more on the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund page of the Enterprise.ie website.

Looking to apply for this or any other innovation grant funding?

Going it alone is strongly discouraged. Understanding the eligibility and general criteria can be a minefield, even if you’ve applied before.

At Myriad Associates, our expert R&D grant funding team have worked with organisations across Ireland and the UK to achieve the innovation they need. As experts in the field, we know what makes a standout R&D grant application that gives the very best chance of success.

Find out more about what sets us apart on our R&D grants page.

For an informal chat about DTIF funding or any other innovation funding types, please do get in touch by calling +353 1 566 2001. You're also welcome to send us a message and we'll call you back.