Want to know more about our support?
About the Innovation Vouchers programme
Do you have an innovation project that could lead to the development of a new or improved product, service, business model, or process? Will it create value in your business, produce new profits or help grow the business? If so, then an Innovation Voucher could help support this.
The call for Innovation Vouchers applications is currently closed. The next call will open 9:00 on Monday 15 September 2025.
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
How can a £5K Innovation Voucher benefit my business?
£5K Innovation Vouchers allow businesses or potential entrepreneurs to get expertise from a public sector knowledge provider, such as a University or College (NI and ROI) for your innovation project.
** Please note that this programme does not involve the payment of any funds directly to participating businesses.**
Typical projects we support include:
- Expertise to help create or improve products, services, business models or processes
- Access to specialist expertise in new materials
- Tapping into research and scientific expertise
Activities that are not eligible include:
- Business plans, market research and financial planning
- Website and app related activity
- Marketing and sales activity
- Training courses
- Working with a private sector provider
- Businesses owned by Invest NI staff members
This list is not exhaustive.
Who is eligible for an innovation voucher?
Innovation vouchers are open to any business in Northern Ireland that meets the following criteria:
- Are a small enterprise, social enterprise or third sector organisation with less than 50 employees and either an annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet not exceeding €10 million
- Are a medium enterprise, social enterprise or third sector organisation with more than 50 employees but less than 250 employees, and either an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million or an annual balance sheet not exceeding €43 million
- Must not have received assistance through Invest NI’s Grant for R&D programme in the past five years
- Businesses must not be owned by Invest NI staff members
How to apply?
The call for Innovation Vouchers applications is currently closed. The next call will open 9:00 on Monday 15 September 2025.
Discover more
Hear how the support from a £5K Innovation Voucher has helped Northern Ireland businesses.
Further Information
If your Innovation Voucher application is successful, you will be required to complete an Innovate NI Innovation Assessment before the Innovation Voucher is issued.
Contact us
For more information on our Innovation Voucher support contact our Business Support Team on 0800 181 4422 or complete the enquiry form.
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