ACORNS
No fee at all. There is no charge for the women selected and accommodation costs for the residential parts are covered. Up to 50 places on the cycle running from October 2026 to April 2027.
Last checked September 2026
What it is
A six month part-time development programme for women in RURAL Ireland who are starting a business, or who have recently started one. ACORNS stands for Accelerating the Creation Of Rural Nascent Start-ups. It is built around round table sessions run by Lead Entrepreneurs, women who have started and grown their own businesses in rural Ireland, on the idea that you learn most from someone who has done it. Two ways to qualify: you recently set up a business you own or part own that has made sales no earlier than the end of June 2023, OR you are at an advanced stage of planning a new venture with a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Rural means anywhere outside the administrative city boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, so most of the country counts. You register your interest on the website and an application form is emailed to you. Applications for ACORNS 12 close on Friday 18 September 2026, and the cycle runs from October 2026 to April 2027. It is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund, and previous cycles have run at no charge to the women taking part, with the Lead Entrepreneurs giving their time voluntarily. Over 550 women have been through it in ten years. Questions to info@acorns.ie or 01 845 0770.
Who can get it
- You are a woman living in rural Ireland, which means anywhere outside the administrative city boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, so most of the country counts
- You recently set up a business you own or part own that made sales no earlier than the end of June 2023, or you are at an advanced stage of planning a new venture with a clear idea of what you want to achieve
- You can commit to the programme from October 2026 to April 2027, including the residential roundtables
- It is free to the women selected and the accommodation for residential elements is covered. It is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund.
- The learning happens in round table sessions led by Lead Entrepreneurs, women who have built their own businesses in rural Ireland, who give their time voluntarily.
- UP TO 50 PLACES AND IT IS COMPETITIVE. The organisers say they expect many more applicants than places, and the Lead Entrepreneurs make the selection in early October.
- You register your interest and the application form is emailed to you, usually within 48 hours Monday to Friday, so leaving it to the closing day is a risk.
- The cycle 12 launch and first roundtable is on 19 and 20 October 2026 at the Mullingar Park Hotel in County Westmeath.
- One page on their own site still says a business must have been set up within the last 3 years. That page has not been updated since 2023. The rule for this cycle is sales no earlier than the end of June 2023.
How to apply
Applications go through DAFM. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 12 September 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
Does ACORNS cost anything?
No. There is no charge for the women selected, and accommodation costs for the residential elements are covered.
When do ACORNS 12 applications close?
Friday 18 September 2026. No time of day is published, and no application received after that date can be considered, so send it early.
What counts as rural for ACORNS?
Anywhere outside the administrative city boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Most of the country qualifies.
How new does my business have to be?
Either it made sales no earlier than the end of June 2023, or you are at an advanced stage of planning a new venture with a clear idea of what you want to achieve.
Related guides
- Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
- Enterprise Support Grant
- Earned Income Credit
- Short-Term Enterprise Allowance
- Green for Business (Green for Micro)
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