Pro Rail Academy will be an open-access innovation hub for the rail, transport, water, energy, utilities and infrastructure sectors. As well as training, the Mayo site will give Irish SMEs and growing businesses a route to specialist facilities, research expertise, industry contacts and funding advice, so a good idea has somewhere to go.
Pro Rail Academy is being developed as an open-access innovation hub for the rail, transport, water, energy, utilities and infrastructure sectors. As well as training, the Kiltimagh site will give Irish SMEs and growing businesses a route to specialist facilities, research expertise, industry contacts and funding advice, so a good idea has somewhere to go.
Smaller businesses often have strong ideas and no practical way of testing them. Specialist facilities, research expertise, industry contacts and development funding tend to sit with larger organisations. The Academy aims to give SMEs a collaborative route from an identified industry challenge to a solution that’s been tested and proven to work.
Through our planned SME Networking and Collaboration Group, you’ll also be able to take part in innovation workshops, technical seminars, employer forums, industry briefings and best practice exchanges with other businesses in the sector.
Atlantic Technological University works directly with businesses on technology, process design and innovation challenges. Its Innovation Hubs give entrepreneurs and start-ups workspace, business development support, mentoring and connections to academic and student talent, and ATU runs four incubation centres, including iHub Mayo in Castlebar. Pro Rail Academy will add to that with a specialist environment focused on rail, transport, water, energy, utilities and infrastructure delivery, including support for business incubation and commercialisation.
Discover ATU’s enterprise support and ATU Innovation Hubs.
Irish businesses may be eligible for financial support to investigate, develop and commercialise new ideas. The Academy will help you work out which routes might apply and put you in touch with the right funding or research organisation. The main Enterprise Ireland options are below.
Innovation Vouchers let eligible SMEs work with a registered knowledge provider to explore a business opportunity or solve an innovation challenge. Standard vouchers are worth €10,000 and co-funded vouchers can provide up to €20,000. Vouchers are valid for 18 months and available throughout the year. Learn about Innovation Vouchers
The Innovation Partnership Programme lets companies work with Irish research institutes on collaborative research projects, with funding of up to 80% of the research costs for eligible projects. A preliminary feasibility study may be funded at 100% up to a maximum of €9,000, subject to eligibility and approval. Explore the Innovation Partnership Programme
Enterprise Ireland’s Research, Development and Innovation Fund supports eligible businesses developing new products, services or processes where the project involves a genuine technical challenge or a significant step forward in the company’s R&D capability. View Research, Development and Innovation support
The Exploring Innovation grant helps companies investigate disruptive technologies, assess market needs and put together a structured R&D or innovation strategy. It can also cover exploring collaboration with customers, suppliers, consultants and third-level research organisations. Learn about Exploring Innovation
All funding is subject to the eligibility requirements, assessment criteria and approval processes of the relevant organisation, so it’s worth getting advice before you start any grant-supported project.
Pro Rail Academy wants to see more women enter, develop and lead in rail, engineering and infrastructure. Working alongside organisations including ATU iHub, EMPOWER and Women in Rail, we aim to help female entrepreneurs, researchers, innovators and industry professionals build networks, develop ideas and get to the right business support.
ATU’s EMPOWER programme supports female entrepreneurs with idea validation, mentoring, networking and business growth development. Find out more about EMPOWER
By bringing together Irish SMEs, national infrastructure organisations, researchers, learners, technology providers and education partners in one place, Pro Rail Academy aims to:
Pro Rail Academy CLG is a not-for-profit company. Any surplus will be reinvested in new programmes, upgraded equipment, additional facilities, employer engagement and wider access to specialist training and innovation support.
If you’re an Irish business with a product, technology or idea, or an operational challenge you need help solving, talk to Pro Rail Academy about:
Looking for research, testing or trials? See our Research and development page.
