The initiative aims to strengthen research and innovation in disciplines related to digital creative industries.

The Irish Government has put out a call today (16 October) for potential applicants to submit research and innovation projects to the Shared Island Digital Creative Industries Innovation Programme. These projects must demonstrate a clear contribution to digital creative industries on an “all-island basis”, according to the call.

The initiative – which will run from 2027 to 2030 – has an allocated budget of €10m which will be available to succesful applicants. The budget comprises €6m from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and €4m from the Government’s Shared Island Fund. 

The programme aims to support higher education institutions across Ireland as they strengthen their research and innovation capabilities in disciplines related to digital creative industries – including video game development, immersive technologies such as VR and AR, animation, and other forms of digital media and arts.

The application portal will open in the coming weeks and the deadline for applications is 12pm, 15 December 2026. The successful projects are expected to be selected and announced early next year. 

Commenting on the initiative, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, TD said: “The Shared Island Digital Creative Industries Innovation Programme will create new opportunities for higher education institutions across the island to combine their expertise and develop ambitious research and innovation partnerships.

“Higher education institutions north and south have considerable expertise and research infrastructure in the digital creative industries. By bringing together their complementary capabilities, this programme will support collaboration at a greater scale and strengthen the island’s international position in these rapidly developing sectors.”

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless, TD said that Ireland’s digital creative industries offer opportunities for economic growth, innovation and high-quality employment.

“To realise that potential, we need to continue building the research expertise, innovation capacity and industry engagement of our higher education institutions,” he said.

He added that it will complement other significant investments, such as the existing North-South Research Programme and the €750m Inspire Research Infrastructure and Talent Programme.

“Together with our wider research and innovation initiatives, these programmes are building the expertise, partnerships and infrastructure needed to sustain an ambitious and internationally competitive research system.”

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