NEW: Innovation in Storytelling Development Fund 2025

Exploration of any creative endeavour which benefits creative teams working with the Animation, Gaming, VFX & Immersive Technologies and new technologies) is welcomed.

Yes, a company can submit separate applications for different projects. Please note that, due to the competitive nature of the fund and in the interest of fairness, it may be that only one of these projects could receive funding by the end of the selection process.

Not necessarily. This is a broad scheme to explore and encourage innovation in storytelling in all its forms: business model innovation; workflow innovation, etc. Tech is welcome but not compulsory.

You will need to demonstrate why the fund needs to be directed to your version rather than the industry investing in this existing innovation: have you identified why that innovation hasn’t been adopted in Ireland yet? What improvements are you bringing to it? Have you acquired rights and licences to work on something similar or on a different version of this innovation?

Yes, every application will be considered on its own merits. You will just need to demonstrate that this new project is different to your previous application and how.

As with all our funding, the ambition and focus is in Irish entities who have clear control of the opportunity proposed. However, collaboration is also recognised as a fundamental part of any growth trajectory, once we can see clear benefit to the Irish market, Irish creatives and the Animation, Gaming, VFX & Immersive Technologies and new technologies

Use of AI is allowed in projects as long as it adheres to Animation Ireland's AI Policy, and the EU AI Act. The use of AI must be transparent. The software used and how it is used must be declared and documented clearly in the application form and in the End of project Report.

The funding is provided in the form of a Grant and is therefore not repayable, in the absence of a breach of contract.

Submissions (recognising the size of the fund) for business planning are welcome. The main focus however, is to evolve at a project and creative level new areas of opportunity – this can lean into some new technological and business investments which ideally realise a pipeline of new creative work in the short to medium term. A balance and line will however be struck between local level investment and the broader significantly larger industrial investment asks or requirements which can lean on other external investment, enterprise agencies and initiatives for support and funding. 

This can vary depending on the nature of the project.

In the context of material/IP to be owned and controlled by the applicant company, documentation that evidences the applicant company’s connection/ownership to the material/IP or indicates how you will be connected to the IP is required. This type of documentation can include an option agreement or shopping type agreement. At application stage this documentation can be in draft form however if the application is successful all such documentation will be required to be fully and properly signed in order to draw down any funds awarded.

In addition to the above, in the context of material/IP not originated by the applicant company or that is not solely generated by the applicant company but is co-developed, the relevant documentation should include a form of co-development agreement. At application stage this agreement can be in draft form however if the application is successful any such agreement will be required to be fully and properly signed in order to draw down any funds awarded.

When finalising any development funding contract, the goal is to see that the applicant company either owns or has a share of the copyright in the material/IP that they are developing with the award of funding. Screen Ireland will not take a deed of charge.