Deadline Date: January 23, 2026
The Horticulture Innovation and Diversification Support Scheme offers funding to encourage innovation, diversification and new opportunity development within the horticulture industry.
The focus areas of this opportunity are the scheme is intended to assist in increasing innovation and diversification in the horticulture industry by funding fundamental studies, industrial studies, experimental development and feasibility studies for public good and/or commercial advantage in all aspects of primary horticulture production including edible and amenity and the valorisation of waste generated as a result of primary production including spent mushroom substrate, the scheme is aimed at small and medium sized enterprises engaging in primary horticulture production that would like to innovate and diversify.
The horticulture industry but need to carry out specific studies before doing so, to encourage primary producers to diversify and innovate by creating new ingredients and products e.g. by growing new varieties or processing primary produce in different ways, to reduce and valorise waste produce from primary produce, to encourage effective collaboration with other actors whose expertise and technologies can create new food and bio-based products or market applications, the upper investment per project under the scheme is €500,000, this scheme is intended to assist in increasing innovation and diversification in the horticulture industry by funding fundamental studies, industrial studies, experimental development and feasibility studies for public good and/or commercial advantage in all aspects of primary horticulture production including edible and amenity and the valorisation of waste generated as a result of primary production including spent mushroom substrate.
This scheme supports enterprises that wish to explore new opportunities within the horticulture sector through feasible and well-defined studies. It focuses on enabling producers to assess potential innovations before moving toward implementation. Through comprehensive studies, producers can evaluate new varieties, processes or technologies that may enhance their operations or open new market avenues.
Eligible applicants include small and medium sized enterprises engaged in primary horticulture production. Applications must be submitted by the primary producer but may involve partnerships with research institutions or other entities. Supporting documentation may be required to confirm SME status. The scheme is also open to micro, small and medium sized enterprises active in primary horticulture production, ensuring broad accessibility for growers seeking to diversify or innovate.
For more information, visit Gov.ie.
