The government has announced that a further €40m will be made available under its Department’s Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF), which will open for applications on October 1 this year.
DTIF seeks to invest in the development and deployment of disruptive technologies on a commercial basis; drive collaboration between Ireland’s world-class research base and industry; facilitate enterprises to compete directly for funding in support of the development and adoption of these technologies; and fund a new wave of startups.
Support successful applications
Since the fund’s inception in 2018, a total of 131 collaborative projects have been supported with awards averaging €4m over seven competitive calls to date. A further €40m is being made available by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to support successful applications under the new Call 8.
Minister Burke said: “I am very pleased to be making €40m available for an eighth call under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, delivering on a key commitment in our Programme for Government, and underscoring my department’s resolute focus on deepening Ireland’s innovation capacity and underwriting Ireland’s competitiveness into the future, as set out in our Sectoral Capital Plan 2026-2030.
High-risk research
Through the provision of critical funding, DTIF is empowering companies to undertake ambitious, high-risk research in niche, high-value areas that might otherwise remain unexplored. The fund has supported collaboration between researchers and industry professionals to develop deep expertise in transformative technologies that aim to disrupt established markets, while generating tangible economic and societal benefits.”
Minister Burke was joined for the announcement today at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment by participants from three DTIF projects who secured funding under previous calls:
- ProVerum Ltd, an Irish owned medical technology company, and project lead on PROVIEW, a consortium also involving Innovative Catheter Solutions Ltd and Trinity College Dublin, focused on minimally invasive therapies;
- Luminate Medical, an Irish owned medtech company and spin-out from the University of Galway, a participant in the LILY project to develop an innovative wearable medical device designed to prevent chemotherapy‑induced hair loss (CIA); and
- Equal1 Laboratories, an Irish owned quantum computing company involved in three DTIF projects focused on advancing quantum technologies.
Higher education minister James Lawless said: "DTIF has proven to be a powerful catalyst for translating world-class research into tangible economic and societal benefits. Through its strong emphasis on collaboration, successful projects have created high value employment opportunities for our highly skilled graduates and deepened our expertise in emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, life sciences and Quantum technologies.
Continued Government investment through a new DTIF Call will further strengthen Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem, which is fundamental to a high performing economy and a thriving society.”
The call for funding will be administered by Enterprise Ireland on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
A series of regional information and matchmaking events will be rolled out by Enterprise Ireland around the country during September and October that will provide an opportunity for prospective applicants to learn about the application process and link up with potential project partners.
Mark Christal, Enterprise Ireland, said: "Since its inception, DTIF has backed collaborations between Irish companies and our research base that are delivering real-world impact.
"Driving innovation is central to Enterprise Ireland's strategy, and DTIF has proven to be a very effective tool for it – helping ambitious businesses turn research strengths into competitive products and services. With Call 8, we look forward to working with the next cohort of Enterprise Ireland clients ready to take on that same level of ambition."
Call 8 will open on October 1, 2026, for submission of applications until January 31, 2027.