The Irish Games Fund, the games development fund brought to you by the Screen Ireland Digital Games Portfolio, returns. Refined from the 2025 fund, the Irish Games Fund 2026 will consist of three separate funding strands, designed to create opportunities for game creators at all stages of their journey.
The Irish Games Fund supports the development of original games by Irish game studios and strengthens the long-term development of Ireland's games sector.
These strands, developed to allow Irish studios developing original IP to access funding, include our returning Development Fund of up to €50K per team. We also have a Prototype Fund alongside a brand new Release Fund for games that are ready to launch coming in the near future.
Today we’re here to discuss the first of these funds to launch, the Irish Games Fund - Development Fund. Irish Games Fund - Development Fund supports up to four teams with €50,000 in funding to further development on validated concepts and prototypes that are progressing toward production and commercial release.
The Development Fund is specifically intended for established projects that have moved beyond concept validation and are progressing towards production and commercial release.
In order to apply for the Development Fund, you must first apply to the Expression of Interest. The Application Form is dense, and we don’t want people to take the time to apply for a fund that doesn’t suit their needs. We aim to guide people towards the fund that’s right for them.
Additionally, Joanne Ryan from grantwriting.ie is running an application writing workshop on Thursday, October 8th from 4pm - 6pm in order to help folks submit the best applications they possibly can.
Who should apply?
You should be a registered Irish game studio, meeting one of the following criteria;
Your business should be operating for a minimum of one year
You or your business should have filed accounts previously
The studio or core team have previously released a commercial project
Studios developing Original IP
Studios who have a defined concept or prototype with a clear understanding of their intended audience and development needs
This is a competitive process with limited places available.
You can sign up for the Expression of Interest here - https://forms.gle/JKZHWgikCPYRcm6v7
You can view the Irish Games Fund 2026 - Development Fund - Guidance Notes here.
The deadline for the Expression of Interest is October 8th at 5pm. Application forms will be delivered to those who have submitted an EOI within the next week.
The Application Forms will begin going out to those who are eligible on September 30th. The Application Form closes on October 22nd at 1pm.
AI Policy
IMIRT is currently developing a policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the games sector. In the meantime, we want to better understand how AI is already being used in development. Applicants will not be penalised for having used AI, but we expect full transparency.
Applicants should:
Declare any use of ML or generative AI within the project or application, including assistive uses such as drafting application/supporting documents, coding support, research, or workflow assistance.
Clearly identify any generative AI-created assets currently used in the project, including art, writing, voice, music, or audio
Identify whether generated material is temporary, developmental or intended for release
Explain how Development Fund support will be used to replace generative AI assets with work created by appropriately engaged creators
Due to unresolved copyright, intellectual property, ownership and commercialisation risks, the Development Fund will not support projects that intend to commercially release with art, audio, writing or other creative assets that have been substantially generated through ML or generative AI systems.
Applicants will not be penalised simply for prior use of ML or generative AI, but this may reflect on their ability to ship a commercial game which is a key criterion for funding. IMIRT will consider these issues on a case-by-case basis.
Failure to disclose or accurately represent material use of ML or generative AI may result in the application being removed from consideration.
This guidance does not refer to established game-development techniques such as procedural generation, NPC behaviour, pathfinding or other traditional forms of game AI.
IMIRT will continue to engage with the Irish games sector on this evolving and divisive issue through organised forums and consultation. Applicant transparency will help inform the development of a clear, practical and representative AI policy for the sector.