Deadline Date: June 30, 2026
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is inviting applications under its National Energy Research Development and Demonstration Funding Programme to support innovative projects that contribute to Ireland’s transition towards a clean, secure, and sustainable energy future.
The programme focuses on supporting solutions that overcome technical and market barriers to energy uptake, growing Ireland’s national capacity for internationally competitive energy research, providing guidance and support to policymakers and public bodies, accelerating competitive energy-related products, processes and systems, and advancing research across areas such as Energy Security and System Resilience, Affordable and Sustainable Energy for Homes and Businesses, Public Sector Decarbonisation and Energy Leadership, Health and Environmental Co-Benefits of the Energy Transition, A Fair, Inclusive and Just Energy Transition, and Digital, Data and AI for Energy Innovation.
The SEAI National Energy Research Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Funding Programme supports innovative and targeted actions aligned with Ireland’s climate and energy ambitions. The programme is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of competitive energy-related products, processes, and systems while supporting solutions that address barriers to energy market uptake. It also aims to strengthen Ireland’s research and innovation capacity and provide valuable insights for policy development and public sector decision-making.
The programme welcomes proposals from a broad range of research disciplines and encourages collaborative approaches involving multiple organisations. Multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research methods are encouraged where they align with the programme objectives and contribute to transformative research outcomes for Ireland’s clean energy transition.
Applications are open to public and private sector organisations based in the Republic of Ireland, including companies, higher education institutions, public bodies, and semi-state organisations. Eligible applicants may apply individually or as part of a consortium. While Irish entities may collaborate with international researchers where necessary, funding is generally limited to organisations based in Ireland.
The programme offers two funding streams. The Open Strand allows applicants to submit innovative, applicant-led energy RD&D proposals within SEAI’s remit. The Research Priority Strand supports projects addressing identified national priority research areas developed in consultation with key stakeholders. Applications under both strands will compete equally for funding.
The identified Research Priority Areas include Energy Security and System Resilience, Affordable and Sustainable Energy for Homes and Businesses, Public Sector Decarbonisation and Energy Leadership, Health and Environmental Co-Benefits of the Energy Transition, A Fair, Inclusive and Just Energy Transition, and Digital, Data and AI for Energy Innovation.
The maximum funding available per project is €1,250,000 inclusive of overheads. Projects applying through the optional Offshore Renewable Energy RDD+ pathway may request up to €2,000,000, subject to additional eligibility requirements.
For more information, visit SEAI.
