The Night-Time Economy Grassroots Venue Support Scheme 2026

This scheme will open for applications at noon on 6th March and will remain open until noon on 30th March. Applications after this time will not be accepted. The application form is available here.

All applications will be assessed by an independent panel as part of the overall evaluation. Provided the application is received before the closing date, the exact date or time of receipt will have no bearing on the evaluation.

Venues may make only one application under this Scheme.

Please read the following guidelines carefully before starting your application. Applicants should carefully consider whether they qualify under Stream A or Stream B before starting the application process.

Grassroots venues are key cultural hubs in our communities that provide space for emerging artists to showcase their talent, gain valuable experience and connections, and develop their following. Many famous artists began their careers performing in grassroots venues and may not have been afforded the same opportunities to progress without them. Grassroots venues are defined as cultural venues whose main purpose is programming ticketed live performances showcasing Irish artists. These venues tend to have a smaller capacity, providing a space for intimate performances and engagement with the audience. They have a reputation as venues that prioritise the development of new talent. Despite their contribution to culture in our towns and cities and to the overall Night-Time Economy, as well as their importance to the careers of a wide range of artists and performers, grassroots venues have experienced increased pressures due to rising costs and the risk implicit in programming new artists without an established following.

This scheme is the fourth iteration of the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme and builds on the learnings from the Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme 2025. The Scheme will provide funding for a series of events shining a spotlight on emerging acts and artists performing original material they have written/created themselves. It is envisaged that these events will also provide employment opportunities for production crew, light and sound engineering, marketing and PR, as well as increasing footfall to grassroots venues that are currently contributing to a thriving night-time economy.

Applications are being invited under two separate Streams:

Stream A – Grassroots venues who can demonstrate a track record of two years programming ticketed events featuring early career or emerging Irish or Irish-based acts or artists performing original material they have written or created themselves.

Stream B – Venues who can demonstrate that they have in the past 12 months programmed events (ticketed or with a cover charge) showcasing Irish or Irish-based acts or artists, and who confirm their willingness to use funding under this scheme to programme emerging Irish acts or artists.

Please Note: Venues can only apply for funding under one stream.

• Support small/medium live performance venues and acknowledge the risk they take in programming and nurturing emerging original artists.
• Encourage and enable live venues to include emerging artists in their programming, thereby increasing the performance opportunities available to early career artists.
• Invigorate the Night-Time Economy nationwide by providing a diverse cultural offering, supporting new talent and increasing footfall to awarded venues to help sustain this sector.
• Showcase the talent of Irish acts and artists who perform material they have written/created themselves and provide them with opportunities to build connections in the industry and gain performing experience.
• Provide employment opportunities for professionals including production staff and crew who are dependent on live performances.

This scheme will operate with a total fund of €1 million and will operate in two separate funding Streams. Stream A will operate with a total fund of €800,000 and Stream B will operate with a total fund of €200,000.

Stream A – Established Grassroots Venues with a proven track record of at least two years in programming emerging Irish acts or artists and who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for a maximum grant amount allowable of up to €20,000 per successful venue. Grantees may draw down funding for 90% of eligible costs up to a maximum of the allocated figure. The grantee will be required to self-fund the remaining 10% of eligible costs and all costs not eligible for funding. The minimum grant that can be applied for is €7,000 under Stream A.

Stream B – Venues who can demonstrate that they have in the past 12 months programmed events (ticketed or with a cover charge) showcasing Irish or Irish-based artists or acts, and who confirm a willingness to use funding under this scheme to programme ticketed events which include emerging acts and artists. Applicants may apply for a maximum grant amount allowable of up to €8,000 per successful venue. Grantees may draw down funding for 90% of eligible costs up to a maximum of the allocated figure. The grantee will be required to self-fund the remaining 10% of eligible costs and all costs not eligible for funding. The minimum grant that can be applied for is €3,000 under Stream B.

Who is eligible?

All Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Registered business with its venue located in the State.
• The venue must operate with a capacity of 500 or less.
• Venues must have an existing stage or designated stage area where performances have taken place.
• Venues must have at least one of the following (photographic evidence must be submitted with the application)
  • defined audience space
  • dance floor
  • sound booth
  • ticket hatch
  • stage-facing or elevated seating
• Venues must have at least one of the following pieces of equipment to facilitate live performed music (photographic evidence must be submitted with the application)
  • mixing desk
  • PA system
  • stage monitors
  • lighting rig
  • back line
  • stage microphones
  • spare instruments
  • instrument consumables
• Venues must employ or otherwise utilise at least two of the following (they may be the same person)
  • Sound engineer
  • Booker
  • Promoter
  • Cashier
  • Stage manager
  • Security personnel
• Businesses must be tax compliant.
• Venues must be liable for rates as set out in the Valuation Act 2001, as amended.

Applicants of Stream A must meet the following criteria:

• Venues must have a strong track record over two years (2024-2025 inclusive) of regularly programming ticketed qualifying events.
  • For the purpose of Stream A of this scheme, a qualifying event is defined as a ticketed event where an emerging or early-career act or artist from Ireland or resident in Ireland performs work they have written or created themselves. It does not include events where tribute acts or cover bands perform.
  • For the purpose of Stream A of this scheme, a track record is defined as having a minimum of 24 ticketed and advertised qualifying events over the two-year period from 2024-2025 inclusive.
• The venue must promote itself and be known in the community as an established live performance venue with grassroots live performance forming a core part of its programming.

Applicants of Stream B must meet the following criteria:

• Live performance venue with a demonstrated track record of programming qualifying events in the twelve months of 2025
  • For the purpose of Stream B of this scheme, a qualifying event is defined as an event (either ticketed or subject to a cover charge) where an artist or act from Ireland or resident in Ireland performs work they have written or created themselves. It does not include events where tribute acts or cover bands perform.
  • For the purpose of Stream B of this scheme, a track record is defined as a minimum of 12 advertised qualifying events (either ticketed or subject to a cover charge) in the year 2025.
• Venue must be able to demonstrate that they currently programme live performance events (either ticketed or subject to a cover charge).
• Venue must outline in their application how they will programme emerging Irish artists or acts.

Who is not eligible under Stream A and Stream B?

• Festivals (with the exception of a grassroots music festival which is being held in an established grassroots music venue, where the venue is the grant applicant, and the festival is not in receipt of funding from any other external source.)
• Hotel bars
• Sporting venues
• Third level colleges, ETBs, or schools
• Publicly funded venues e.g. arts centres
• Private residences
• Existing grantees of D/CCS schemes that are currently not in compliance with the Service Level Agreements issued and the associated drawdown procedures.
• Venues with a capacity over 500
• Venues which are not liable for rates as set out in the Valuation Act 2001, as amended

The priority of this scheme is to support the programming of live ticketed music of all genres and comedy events at independent venues across Ireland. Applicants that apply with projects where the primary focus is artforms or disciplines other than music or comedy are likely to be viewed as ineligible. There is no minimum or maximum number of events that can be held. All Grantees are required to comply with the following conditions of funding, or we may withdraw part of the grant or the full amount allocated.

All Events covered under Stream A and B must meet the following criteria:

• All Events funded must have an arts / culture element.
• Funding must be used towards events that showcase the talent of Irish artists performing live music of all genres or comedy they have written/created themselves.
• All Events must be ticketed (tickets can be free).
• All Events must take place in the venue that applied for the grant.
• All Events that have an established/known headline artist must have at least one emerging supporting artist. Evidence of this will be required on drawdown, including payment to the supporting artist. If insufficient evidence is provided in relation to the payment and programming of emerging artists, the grant will be withdrawn.
• All artists must be paid and evidence of this must be submitted on drawdown.
• All freelance crew hired in respect of a supported event must be paid.
• Applicants should endeavour to ensure where possible, that there is a gender balance in the acts hired.
• Events must be held at night-time beginning from 6pm at the earliest.
• Programmes must be advertised to ensure maximum visibility. All publicity material should include the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport logo and a written acknowledgement should be made in all reports/publications and other promotional materials.
• All Artists and crew members participating in cultural events funded under this scheme must be informed that the event is funded under this Scheme.
• Applicants should ensure that all artists, performers and crew attached to the project comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2005 and have a duty to prevent any improper conduct or behaviour which is likely to put the health and safety of employees at risk. This requires the Grantee to take reasonable steps to ensure a work environment which is free of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment, and includes developing a dignity at work policy. Grantees/venues must also have signed the Safe to Create Code of Behaviour in advance of drawing down any funding.
• All indoor events are required to cater for health and safety, including fire safety, of persons on the premises under the following Primary Legislation and the regulations and guidance made under same, these include but are not limited to:
  • Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003
  • Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (see www.hsa.ie)
  • Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007-2016
  • Fire Services Acts 1989 and 2003 (see www.environ.ie)
  • Fire Safety in Places of Assembly (Ease of Escape) Regulations 1985
  • Code of Practice for the Management of Fire Safety in Places of Assembly
  • The Event Safety Guide (Purple Guide)
• In line with the Department’s commitment to considering and improving accessibility across the Night-Time Economy sector, applicants should consider how accessibility needs can be best facilitated in their venues and endeavour to ensure, insofar as possible, that events cater to those with accessibility needs, including attendees and performing artists with a disability.
• Applicants should have an environmental policy/statement. There should be a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and the carbon footprint of the supply chain for events should be examined. Attendees should be encouraged to participate in efforts to reduce their environmental impact (e.g. the use of public transport to and from the event).
• Venues should be in possession of all relevant licenses to host live music events.

What can be funded? Examples of eligible costs include:

• Contracts for services for musicians including electronic music artists and comedians who have written their own original material and who are hired by the venue
• Production and crew costs e.g. sound and lighting technicians
• Costs relating to advertising, PR, ticketing
• Hire of specialist equipment specifically required for the events
• Management costs (incl. promoter / producer fees). Costs of booking and promoting events, either by the venue or a third party, up to a maximum of 25% of the grant awarded
• Health and safety costs
• Security costs
• Event insurance costs (excluding annual insurance)
• Intellectual property costs/royalties
• Late licence costs (excluding legal fees)
• Artists’ travel and subsistence, on the condition that it is included as an item on the invoice to the venue and is an invoice issued by the Artist.

What will not be funded? Examples of ineligible costs include:

• Covers/tribute bands
• Improv comedy
• Heritage talks
• Live podcasts/podcast recordings
• Literary events
• Daytime events, i.e. events that take place before 6pm
• Events in receipt of public funding from another source.
• Outdoor events, unless the event that is taking place outside is in an established outdoor area, attached to or within the curtilage of the music venue.
• Events that are private and are by invitation only. Events must be open to the community at large and/or visitors to the area
• Fundraising events
• Events that pre-date or occurred prior to the launch of the Scheme
• Purchase of equipment
• Purchase of musical instruments
• Construction or structural changes to venue
• Local authority rates
• Staff costs for those on a contract of service
• Contracts of Employment not relevant to the production (i.e. additional staffing costs for later openings)
• Legal and accountancy fees
• Annual insurance costs (with the exception of per event insurance)
• Food and beverages (including alcohol)
• Transport*
• Accommodation*
• Utilities
• Prizes/vouchers/gifts
• Cash payments (Invoiced expenditure paid by electronic transfer is required for audit purposes)
• Invoices issued in the name of the applicant/organisation or companies owned by the applicant/venue owner

(* Artists may include travel and subsistence costs as part of their overall invoice to the venue, which is eligible for funding. Separate receipts for fuel/transport/accommodation/food will not be considered for funding.)

Should successful Grantees no longer require the full amount of funding that they have been allocated, they are required to notify the Night-Time Economy team in early course.

If you have any questions in relation to eligible costs, please contact the Night-Time Economy Team at gmvss@ccs.gov.ie

• All events must take place by 8th November 2026 and Grantees must apply to draw down the funding by 13th November 2026.
• Grants will be paid on the basis of vouched expenditure once all events in a series have taken place. Payments made by the venue must be made by electronic transfer for audit purposes. Grantees must submit all paid invoices, bank statements, promotional material and other supporting documentation to the Department in order to draw down the allocated funds. Prefunding is not available for this scheme.
• The Applicant must agree to an evaluation process/short questionnaire post event to help the Department measure effectiveness and share learnings with the sector.

Applications under both Streams of this scheme will be assessed by a panel as part of the overall evaluation process. All applications received by the closing date will be assessed by the Department to ensure that the eligibility criteria and conditions of funding under Stream A or Stream B are met. Late submissions will not be considered.

Applications will be selected on the basis of eligibility and best fit with the scheme. Provided the application is received before the closing date, the exact date or time of receipt will have no bearing on the evaluation.

Applications will be assessed by a panel as follows:

Stream A

1. Eligibility Criteria (max 30 marks awarded)
2. Proven Track Record – sufficient evidence should be submitted to support the requirements for Stream A applicants (max 30 marks awarded)
3. Quality of Application/Proposal (max 20 marks awarded)
4. Financial Compliance (max 20 marks awarded)

Stream B

1. Eligibility Criteria (max 30 marks awarded)
2. Track Record of hosting live performances and employing Irish Artists/Performers – evidence submitted to support the requirements for Stream B applicants set out (max 30 marks awarded)
3. Quality of application (max 20 marks awarded)
4. Financial Compliance (max 20 marks awarded)

The Department will consider regional balance when awarding grants, but this will be subject to the eligibility criteria and the terms and conditions of the scheme as set out in these guidelines. It is not guaranteed that the Grantee will receive the maximum grant for funding. The final allocation will be decided by the independent panel.

Only complete applications will be considered. Incomplete or missing forms will result in your grant claim being rejected.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all information is provided as per the application form. A confirmation email will issue with your reference number. If you do not provide all the information required with your application, the assessment process may be delayed. The Department reserves the right to request further information from applicants in order to assess an application if so required and to reject any application that fails to provide the requested information.

Successful applicants for this scheme will receive an offer in principle of grant, subject to sufficient funding being available. Eligibility does not guarantee an offer of funding

Please note that it may not be possible to allocate funding to all eligible applicants or the total funding requested by the Applicant as it will be subject to available funding.

Please ensure that you have read these guidelines thoroughly before starting your application. You can apply via an online application form which can be found here.

• Click on the 'Start New Application' button and complete the form. In submitting the application, the applicant will be confirming that the application being made meets the criteria set out in the Guidelines for the Scheme.
• Applicants should ensure that their application form is completed in full and the additional documentation is submitted with the application. The applicant will be required to confirm a number of items on a checklist in the application form before submitting the application, including confirmation that the application is in line with the criteria set out in the Guidelines for the scheme.
• A confirmation email will issue detailing your application and your reference number. Please contact the Department at gmvss@ccs.gov.ie if you do not receive a confirmation email.
• Applicants may save a draft version of their applications before they submit their final application form – but please note that drafts will not be considered for approval. The onus is on the applicant to ensure their application has been submitted.
• Submission of false or misleading information to the Department at any stage is treated very seriously. Any business that does not comply with the terms and conditions of the ‘Night-Time Economy Grassroots Venue Support Scheme 2026’ may have their grant withdrawn or be required to repay all or part of a grant and/or be barred from making applications for a period of time.
• For any queries on the application process, please email gmvss@ccs.gov.ie

An appeal may be made by an applicant if the applicant considers that the process for reviewing their application was not adhered to.

The applicant must be in receipt of a decision email from the Night-Time Economy team in order to make an appeal. An appeal must be made within 5 working days of the date on the decision email. Appeals submitted after this date will not be accepted.

It is necessary to clearly set out the grounds for your appeal in an email which should be sent to the Night-Time Economy Appeals Officer at gmvss.appeals@ccs.gov.ie stating “Appeal” along with your application number in the subject line of the email.

The body of the email should include:

• full contact details for the applicant and application number
• the grounds on which the applicant believes the process for reviewing their application was not adhered to. The applicant must include specific reasons or evidence to support the appeal

The applicant will receive an acknowledgement email from the GMVSS Appeals Officer or from a person delegated to represent them in their absence within 5 working days. The appeal will then be considered and a decision will issue to the applicant within 20 working days following the acknowledgement. This decision will be binding and will not be subject to any further appeals. Where any delay is anticipated the applicant will be informed in writing of the extended timescale.

The information provided in this document is intended to give applicants an understanding of the process by which applications for assistance are assessed and approved and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.

Freedom of Information Act 2014

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, details contained in applications and supporting documents may, on request, be released to third parties. If there is information contained in your application which is sensitive or confidential in nature, please identify it and provide an explanation as to why it should not be disclosed. If a request to release sensitive information under the legislation is received, you will be consulted before a decision is made whether or not to release the information. However, in the absence of the identification of particular information as sensitive, it could be disclosed without any consultation with you.

Evaluation Survey

You will be required to complete an Evaluation Survey in relation to your participation in this scheme, including how the grant received/impact of the grant for your business.

Publication

Details of individual awards may be published on the Department's website including the name of the grantee, county in which the beneficiary is located, and grant amount.

Data protection

For data protection in relation to the department, please see information here.

Disclaimer

The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport shall not be liable to the applicant or any other party for any loss, damage or costs of any nature resulting directly or indirectly from the application or its subject matter or the department’s rejection of the application for any reason.

The Department, its servants or its agents shall not at any time in any circumstances be held responsible or liable for any matter connected with developing, planning, financing, building, operating, managing and/or administering individual events or any matter connected with the part payment by the department of invoices submitted by grantees.

Please Note: Applicants should contact their relevant Local Authority before planning an event. Applicants/Organisers are responsible for the implementation of safety aspects of their event, the Department cannot be held liable for an event they are not organising, and/or for the organiser’s failure to implement any advice or guidance provided by the Local Authority.

Monitoring

Grantees will be required to comply with the highest standard of transparency and accountability as documented in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 - Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds.

The information provided in this document is intended to give applicants an understanding of the process by which applications for assistance are assessed and approved and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.

Acknowledgment of funding

Businesses will be obliged to acknowledge the Department's assistance in Annual Financial Statements for the year the grant is paid.

State Aid / De Minimis

The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport is the grant aiding Authority for the Scheme and confirms that it will respect the monitoring and reporting obligations in relation to State Aid.

The aid being sought is provided under the European Commission Regulation on De Minimis Aid. Small amounts of State aid, up to 300,000 Euros in any three-year period to any one enterprise, are regarded as too small to significantly affect trade or competition in the common market. Such amounts are regarded as falling outside the category of State aid that is banned by the EC Treaty and can be awarded without notification to or clearance by the European Commission. A Member State is required to have a mechanism to track such aid (called 'De Minimis aid') and to ensure that the combined amount of De Minimis aid payments from all sources to one enterprise in any three-year period respects the 300,000 Euro ceiling. Applicants will be asked to provide details of all other De Minimis aid which has been granted to their business within the past three years. It should be noted that a false declaration by a company resulting in the threshold of 300,000 Euro being exceeded could later give rise to the aid being recovered with interest.

All GVSS funding is De Minimis Aid and applicants will also be asked to acknowledge that GVSS 2026 is being offered under De Minimis Aid by declaring that they wish to apply for GVSS under the De Minimis Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 of 13 December 2023.

For further information, please see the Your Questions Answered page