What is a Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters Grant?
The aim of a Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters Grant is to enable clients to explore and develop new market opportunities. The grant will part-fund the costs that can be incurred in investigating and researching export markets, e.g. exhibiting at trade fairs, preparing marketing material and developing websites specifically targeting overseas markets. These grants should increase the number of LEO clients developing new export opportunities.
Application Process
1. Read the Eligibility Criteria in full (see below)
2. Contact a representative of LEO DLR before completing an application form
3. Complete Application Form
· Upload supporting documentation (see Application Checklist below)
· Please note that there is an opportunity to record a short (2 Mins Max) video to allow you to tell us a little bit about yourself, your business, and why you are looking for funding.
Eligibility Criteria
Local Enterprise Office Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown can accept applications for Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters Grants from start-up or established businesses. Providing it fulfills the following criteria:
· A business located, registered and operating in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County
· A business employing up to 10 employees
· A manufacturing or internationally traded services business
· The enterprise must be in the commercial sphere
· The enterprise must demonstrate a market for their product/service
· Innovative business with prototype products
· Enterprises must not have received any funding for this proposal from any other source
What does the Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters Grant Cover?
The Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters Grant covers 50% of qualifying expenses (excluding VAT), subject to a maximum Local Enterprise Office DLR contribution of €2,500.
A Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters Grant can be approved for expenditure under the following headings:
· Participation at Trade Fairs and Shows, covering Trade Show Exhibitor costs including rental/fees relating to space/stands**
. Participation at international trade networking events organised through the Enterprise Europe Network
· Development of specific marketing materials aimed at exploring new Export Markets
. Translation, e.g. of existing material (booklets, webpages etc. for export markets)
· Export related website development
. Investigation of new internal or external processes to develop export business, e.g. new business model or the carrying out of non-regulatory technical requirements
*Note: Travel & Subsistence Costs are only eligible for overseas trips as follows:
- Eligible Travel Costs:
- Economy Air/Ferry or Rail Fares;
- Mileage (60c per kilometre) or
- Economy Car Hire (mileage cannot be claimed on Car Hire)
- Subsistence Rates (to cover all out of pocket expenses including hotels, meals, taxis local fares, incidentals).
- Overnight Rate – 24-hour period: €200 per day
- Day rate: < 24 hours €60
*Note: Attendance at international conferences, summits, forums, symposiums, stand-alone company events are not eligible for support.
How do I apply for the grant?
You are strongly advised to contact the LEO office before applying so that we can assess your eligibility. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and the level of funding will be decided after the assessment. The assessment will examine:
- The merits of providing grant support to your proposal;
- Your need for financial support;
- Any previous funding you have received;
- The availability of funding;
- The potential for employment and sales growth.
The basic minimum requirements are as follows;
- Applications are restricted to businesses who can demonstrate the achievement of sales in the domestic market and now wish to expand overseas. Evidence that the business has realistic prospects of achieving export sales will be sought.
- Applications must be made prior to any expenditure being incurred
- Clients cannot be approved a Technical Assistance for Micro Exporter's Grant/s of more than a maximum cumulative value of €2,500 per calendar year.
Application Checklist:
Any individual or business who wishes to apply must submit a completed online Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters Grant application form along with the following:
Details on the specific events/s for which support is being requested, including a quotation
Supplier quotations showing evidence of value for money
Please note: An Irish Language version of the application form is available on request to leo@dlrcoco.ie
After you submit your application
Your LEO representative will acknowledge your application, and may contact you for further information/clarification.
When we receive all the information we need, your application will be evaluated at the next available meeting of the LEO’s Evaluation and Approvals Committee. You will then be informed in writing of the decision. Please note that you cannot use your grant to pay for any expenditure incurred before you make the application.
Also note that your submission of an application or the official acknowledgement of your application is not an indication that the application is eligible or will be awarded grant aid.
The final decision on grant assistance is with the Evaluation and Approvals Committee of the Local Enterprise Office.
What is the fund drawdown process?
If your application is approved, you can draw down your funding after you submit evidence of the expenditure. Any funding approved must be claimed within 6 months of the date of approval. The maximum Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters Grant payable is 50% of your eligible expenditure or €2,500 whichever is less. Full details are provided in your letter of offer.
To claim any financial assistance approved, you must submit the following:
. A signed acceptance of offer (within 1 month)
· Original invoices and delivery dockets
· Evidence of payment – bank statements
. Expenditure statement summarising your claim
. Supplier quotations showing evidence of value for money
· A current valid tax clearance certificate
· Completed supplier EFT form to enable us pay directly into your bank account
. Short report acknowledging funding from LEO Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
Please note that you cannot use your grant to pay for any expenditure incurred before you make the application.
What is ‘De Minimis’ aid?
Technical and Market Assistance grants are provided under the European Commission Regulation on ‘De Minimis’ aid. De Minimis aid is limited amounts of State aid – up to €300,000 in any three-year period to any one enterprise. De Minimis aid is regarded as too small to significantly affect trade or competition in the common market. The amounts of grants are regarded as falling outside the category of State aid which is banned by the EC Treaty and, therefore, they can be awarded without reference to the European Commission.
However, a Member State must track De Minimis aid and make sure that combined aid payments from all sources to one enterprise in any three-year period respect the €300,000 ceiling.
Therefore, you need to provide details of all other grant aid that has been awarded to you or your company within the past three years. Please note that a false declaration to show a figure under the threshold of €300,000 could later mean that you would have to pay back the grant aid with interest.