Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Schemes

What the General Equine Breeding Support Programme 2026 is

The General Programme of the Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Scheme 2026 provides financial support to help improve quality equine breeding. The scheme also supports infrastructure in the non-thoroughbred horse sector. Grant aid is available for steps to improve data collection in the genetics and equine breeding area and DNA sampling. The scheme also supports initiatives in the area of breeding, promotion, marketing and studbook development.

How to qualify

This scheme is only available to breed societies approved to maintain equine breeding programmes. All projects must demonstrate their compatibility to the Sport Horse strategy - - Reaching New Heights - to be considered eligible for grant aid.

Applications for funding must be made on the application form below accompanied by the requested supporting documentation. You must comply with the terms of the scheme.

Rates of payment

Aid is granted to cover eligible costs on the following basis:

On approval, projects are notified about the maximum grant payable to the organisation for the specific project in the year concerned.

Apply

Applications for 2026 are now closed.

What the Equine Breeding Training and Support Scheme 2026 is

The training and education programme of the Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Scheme 2026 provides financial support for projects in the non-thoroughbred sector.

Support is provided for seminars, conferences and training.

How to qualify

Projects providing knowledge transfer and information must be carried out by qualified people who have sufficient technical capacity to implement the proposed project. All projects must demonstrate their compatibility to the Sport Horse strategy - Reaching New Heights - to be considered eligible for grant aid.

Applications for funding must be made on the application form below accompanied by the requested supporting documentation. You must comply with the terms of the scheme.

Rates of payment

Aid is granted to cover up to 100% of eligible costs for education and training. On approval, projects are notified about the maximum grant payable to the organisation for the specific project in the year concerned. Projects can later be amended subject to department approval but it must remain within the maximum limit granted.

Apply

Applications for 2026 are now closed.

These are the terms and conditions for funding under the Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Scheme 2026: Funding of Research into Equine Diseases.

Grant aid is aimed at supporting improvements in quality equine production focusing on research into equine diseases in the thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred horse sectors.

Apply

Applications for 2026 are now closed.

The Equine Technical Support Scheme aims to enhance the quality of equine breeding and support the development of Ireland's equine industry through targeted financial assistance. There are three programmes within the scheme: General, Education & Training and Research into Equine Diseases with a total of €854,000 available to fund a variety of projects mainly within the non-thoroughbred horse sector subject to Terms and Conditions.

The link below will bring you to an overview of beneficiaries, projects approved and grant paid in 2025 as well as a summary of each project which has been provided by the beneficiary.