Upskill SME Training Grant

You may be eligible if:

• You are an SME based in the Republic of Ireland employing between 2 and 250 employees, and SME turnover parameters per company size. 
• You are an SME that is at least 12 months in operation and registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
• Ownership and Control: Companies that are part of a wider corporate group may need to include the employee numbers and financial data of partner or parent organisations when determining SME eligibility under the EU SME definition. 

• The Upskill SME Training Grant supports business to recover the salary costs of employees for the days they spend participating in AI training. 
• The available grant is €204.30 per training day per employee, subject to eligibility criteria. SME businesses can support their employees to develop new skills, improve efficiency, foster innovation, and support long-term competitiveness.  

• The scheme provides financial support to employers to recover employee salary costs associated with attendance at training. 
• Training is selected from Skillnet Ireland's approved programme list and must take place between 1st September 2026 and 31st December 2026. 
• Funding is limited during this pilot period, so early engagement is encouraged.

Visit: https://www.skillnetireland.ie/upskill-sme-training-grant

Funding Window: 1 September 2026 to 31 December 2026. Eligible training must be completed within this period.
Application Window: 1 September 2026 to 15 January 2027.
Claims for eligible training completed by 31 December 2026 must be submitted no later than 15 January 2027.
Funding is awarded on a first-approved, first-funded basis until the scheme allocation is exhausted.