Cluster-to-Cluster Project Development Fund 

Projects commonly address shared industry challenges and create joint adoption or innovation pathways for example connecting SMEs to cross border networks, market opportunities, and research partners to drive measurable outcomes.

A total budget of €800,000 is available to support projects across all three funding bands Large, Medium and Small (Described in further detail below). There is no fixed number of projects that will be funded in each band; instead, funding will be allocated to the strongest proposals that demonstrate clear impact, value for money and cross‑border delivery. Projects will continue to be supported until the full budget is allocated. If the total funding is not fully awarded in the first call (June - July 2026, with awards issued in Autumn 2026), a second call will open, to ensure the full budget is deployed to high‑quality, industry‑led collaborations prior to when the shared island fund for the period 2025 – 2027 will close in December 2027. Projects should last no longer than 12 months.

Your application must clearly describe:

• Industry challenge and evidence – what challenges are your cluster members are seeking to solve, how this challenge affects them and why an all-island response is needed.
• Delivery plan – activities, timelines, roles, governance, risk management, membership recruitment and support plan North/South.
• Leverage, impact and long-term sustainability – how the project mobilises additional public and private resources, strengthens system‑wide capacity, and secures durable outcomes beyond the life of the project.
• Impact measures – minimum KPIs to set and report:
  • Firms / industry engaged
  • Cross-border collaborations created (e.g., projects, agreements, value chain links)
  • Outputs & early outcomes (deliverables, pilots, adoptions, exports, jobs safeguarded/created where relevant)

• Check eligibility (both clusters complete the eligibility table in the application form Section 8 and prepare short evidence).
• Request an application form via e-mail from SIClusters@intertradeireland.com
• Select a funding band (Large/Medium/Small) which meets the firm engagement targets.

• Complete the application form: Project overview; problem, opportunity & cross‑border impact; work packages, activities & expected outputs; project management & governance; budget; monitoring & KPIs; partner information: mandatory eligibility requirements for clusters and declarations from cluster partner organisations.
• Submit completed application via e-mail to SIClusters@intertradeireland.com
• Review & feedback – eligibility check → assessment & scoring → notification.

If you are unsure whether your project fits, speak to the programme team before applying.

• Call opens: 2nd June 2026, 1.30pm
• Call closes: 17th July 2026, 1.30pm
• Application assessment period: July - August
• Award date: September/October
• Funding closes: All funding allocated must be claimed by December 2027