Collaboration and Innovation Fund 2026

The Collaboration and Innovation Fund is a great opportunity to fund projects and activities that support adults with unmet literacy, numeracy, digital and financial literacy needs.

The following information and documentation will help you to make your application 

• Guidelines for the fund 

• Video presentation about the fund 

• The application form 

• Ideas for projects:

  • family literacy

  • financial literacy

  • examples of projects that have been funded in the past (see below)  

The closing date for the fund is 12pm on Thursday 22 January 2026. 

If you are interested in applying for the fund, here are the main things you should know.

How much funding is available?

In 2026, the total funding available in the Collaboration and Innovation Fund is €1 million.

The funding will be divided into three strands as follows:  

• €700,000 for local and national projects that provide innovative and collaborative ways to: 

  • support adults with unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy needs, and 

  • create a more literacy friendly and equal society.  

• €200,000 for local and national projects that support innovative and collaborative ways to: 

  • improve financial literacy skills for adults with unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy needs, and 

  • create a more literacy friendly approach to accessing financial services.  

• €100,000 for projects that;

  • engage parents with unmet literacy, numeracy or digital literacy needs in family literacy projects in the community

  • support parents to support their child’s literacy skills in the home.

How do I apply?

You need to complete an online application form here

The deadline for submitting your application is 12pm on Thursday 22 January 2026.

Who can apply?

Organisations that work in the public, not-for-profit, community and voluntary sector can apply for the Collaboration and Innovation Fund. Individuals and private sector organisations cannot apply for the Fund. 

You need a minimum of two organisations working in partnership to apply for the Fund. One organisation is the lead applicant, and the other organisation or organisations are the partner applicants.

The lead organisation will need a tax clearance access number, tax reference number, and charity number, if applicable.

What are the main criteria for funding?

• Supporting the aims of the ALL Strategy: Your project should address unmet adult literacy, numeracy, digital, family or financial literacy needs and/or support organisations to create a more literacy friendly society.

• Collaboration and Innovation: At least two organisations must be involved. All organisations must be public or not-for-profit. Your project should be new or innovative, that is, not work that is already happening.

• Outcomes: Your project should have clear positive outcomes for adults with unmet literacy needs, including making Ireland more literacy friendly.

• Sustainability: Your project should have the potential to be mainstreamed or rolled out by you or your partners and/or another region or service.

• Cost: Your project should show that it is good value for money.

Local and national projects

You can apply for funding for either a local or national project.

A local or regional project;

• has an impact in one area, county or ETB catchment area;

• the lead organisation is any public, not for profit organisation;

• the minimum amount of funding available is €1,000; and

• the maximum amount is €15,000.

A national project;

• has an impact in more than one county or happens in more than one Education and Training Board region;

• the lead organisation is a public, not for profit; national representative body or an organisation that provides a service in more than one location;

• the minimum amount of funding available is €1,000; and

• the maximum amount is €50,000.

Next steps

1. Watch this video that covers;

• details about the fund;

• an overview of the application form; and

• tips for making a funding application

2.  Read through these guidelines

3.  Contact the Regional Literacy Coordinator for your region to discuss your proposal. If you are planning to apply for a national project, contact cif@solas.ie

4.  Make your application https://adultliteracyforlife.submit.com/  

The closing date is 12pm on Thursday 22 January 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact your Regional Literacy Coordinator or the Adult Literacy for Life National Programme Office by email at cif@solas.ie

Examples of projects

The list of successful projects for 2025 is here.