Market Explorer Grant Funding Application and Guidelines
The Market Explorer Grant [MEG] grant enables clients to explore and develop new market opportunities.
The Market Explorer Grant will support first time and small-scale exporters to undertake essential market research and to support the development of viable and sustainable market entry strategies in new geographic markets for businesses.
You must contact your Local Enterprise Office before submitting an application.
Grant Terms
- The amount of the grant is to a maximum of €10,000 or 50% of eligible costs.
- Applications must be fully submitted prior to any expenditure being incurred.
Eligibility
The grant is open to small enterprises (with between 1 and 50 paid employees) that
meet the following criteria:
Operate as Manufacturing or eligible internationally traded services businesses and are solvent as demonstrated in the financial statements supplied and have current tax clearance from Revenue.
Are not currently clients of Enterprise Ireland or IDA.
Operate commercially and are established and trading for at least 12 months, registered, and carrying on activity within the area of the Local Enterprise Office.
Have demonstrated intention to internationalise.
Market Research
The costs for purchasing reports, databases, and information from specialist market research companies, as well as translation and interpreting services, are eligible for support when validating a market plan. Additionally, support for collateral development, including the creation and translation of brochures, is only eligible for market testing purposes. In advance of purchasing reports, companies must contact their Local Enterprise Office to establish if the report is already available through Enterprise Ireland Market Research Centre.
In Market Consultancy
Funding is available for third-party expertise to develop and validate a company's market plan, with consultants allowed to perform any eligible activities under the Market Explorer for Business Grant.
Trade Fair Attendance/ Trade Fair Exhibition
Participation at recognised international Trade Fairs including entry fees, rental of exhibition stand/space, transport costs and travel and subsistence. Examples of eligible activities: attending industry events, in-market sector networking and knowledge-building opportunities identified through market research being proposed.
Overseas Travel
Travel and Subsistence costs for overseas trips related to the proposed project by employees of the company are supported. Examples of eligible activities: attending industry events, in-market sector networking and knowledge-building opportunities identified through market research being proposed. Travel and Subsistence costs are not supportable for time spent in Ireland.
Subsistence
Details of Travel Costs
• Economy Air/Ferry or Rail Fares
• Mileage (60c per kilometre) or Economy Car Hire
(note: mileage cannot be claimed on Hire Cars)
Eligible Subsistence Rates
• Overnight Rate - 24-hour period, €200 per day overseas
• Day rate, < 24 hours €60 overseas