€4m contribution to Shared Island Digital Creative Industries Innovation Programme (2027-30)
Posted: 9th July 2026
The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, have announced that the Government of Ireland has approved allocations of €377 million from the Shared Island Fund for 12 new projects to be delivered as part of the Initiative over 2027-2030.
As part of the fund, there is an additional €4 million contribution to the Shared Island Digital Creative Industries Innovation Programme (2027-30).
- €4 million will be made available from the Shared Island Fund for a new €10m programme to strengthen the island’s Digital Creative Industries sector, by building innovation capacity within Higher Education institutions (HEIs) and industry across the island.
- The Shared Island Digital Creative Industries Innovation Programme will be taken forward by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, co-funded with an additional €6 million from his Department.
- The Programme will advance objectives of the Government’s Digital Creative Industries Roadmap 2024–2026 as part of the NDP Review Tertiary Sector Sectoral Investment Plan 2025-2030 and:
- Build R&I capacity in HEIs aligned with needs of the Digital Creative Industries;
- Enhance collaboration between HEIs to build relevant R&I capacity; and
- Leverage existing capacity on a cross-border basis, including Northern Ireland’s screen and immersive media infrastructure.
- The programme will be delivered through a competitive funding call by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), building on the success to date of the North South Research Programme also operated by the HEA.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, said:
A new Shared Island Digital Creative Industries Innovation Programme will strengthen the digital creative industries sector by building innovation capacity across higher education institutions and industry on an island-wide basis. Given the interconnected nature and significant further potential of the creative industries for the island, this programme will increase research and innovation capacity and high-end skills development in line with the Government’s Digital Creative Industries Roadmap 2024–2026.