€1.5 million scheme supporting Circular Economy Innovation opens for applications
As small businesses continue to navigate the transition towards greener, more sustainable practices, the Small Firms Association (SFA) wants to highlight a major funding opportunity that could benefit your business.
The Government of Ireland, led by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) in partnership with CIRCULÉIRE and Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), has launched the 2026 Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS).
With the total funding pot more than doubled to €1.5 million this year, this is a prime opportunity for small firms to get financial backing for their sustainability initiatives.
What is the CEIGS?
The CEIGS is designed to support organisations that are developing, piloting, or scaling practical circular economy solutions. If your business has an innovative idea to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, or address circular economy challenges within your sector, this grant is designed to help you bring it to life.
The 2026 programme prioritises projects with a clear pathway to adoption, meaning they are looking for practical, scalable solutions that deliver measurable environmental and economic benefits.
Why Small Businesses Should Apply
Historically, some grant schemes have favoured larger enterprises, but the 2026 CEIGS has introduced several key changes that make it highly attractive for small business owners:
- No Size Restrictions: Broadened eligibility criteria have officially removed previous restrictions on organisation size, opening the doors fully to small and micro-businesses.
- More Funding Available: The overall funding pot has increased from €650,000 to €1.5 million.
- Less Red Tape: The application process has been significantly streamlined to be more user-friendly, reducing the administrative burden on busy business owners.
Funding Strands Available
Funding is awarded through a competitive process based on innovation, value for money, and expected impact. There are two grant strands available depending on the scope of your project:
- Strand 1: Grants of up to €50,000 for projects lasting up to 6 months.
- Strand 2: Grants from €50,001 up to €150,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months.
How to Apply (Deadline Approaching Fast!)
With the deadline set for October 12th, time is of the essence.
All applications must be submitted via the CEIGS 2026 online portal hosted on AwardForce. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Your Next Steps:
- Read the Guidelines: Before starting, download and review the Guide for Applicants and Applicant Reference Guide to understand the exact requirements.
- Prepare Your Documents: You will need to complete a Project Budget Application Workbook and a De Minimis Aid Declaration. Ensure your Project Title, Funding Strand, Duration, and Grant Requested remain exactly consistent across all your paperwork.
- Submit Online: Head to the AwardForce portal to complete your application before the October 12th cutoff.
The SFA strongly encourages any small business with a workable circular economy idea to take advantage of this expanded, simplified funding scheme. For more information, please review the official FAQ and evaluation frameworks . More information and firther resources can be found here.
