Young Farmer Investment Scheme
A grant of 60% of your approved costs instead of the standard 40%, up to €90,000 on one holding or €160,000 for a registered farm partnership, with a separate €90,000 kept for nutrient storage.
Last checked August 2026
What it is
The higher-rate route through TAMS: 60% instead of the standard 40%, across the full investment list, from animal housing, slurry storage and sheep fencing to dairy, tillage and equine. You must be over 18 and under 41 and set up on the holding within the last five years. Ceiling €90,000, €160,000 for a partnership, plus a separate €90,000 for nutrient storage.
Who can get it
- You have at least 5 hectares declared under BISS, or 20 production units.
- You are aged over 18 and under 41.
- For tillage-related investments you also need at least 15 hectares of eligible crops.
- You set up on the holding within the previous five years, and you own or hold a leasehold title to the site.
- You meet the occupational skill and competence requirement, normally the QQI Level 6 Green Cert. You can still apply without it, but it must be completed within 36 months of approval or the grant drops to the standard 40% rate.
- You are spending at least €2,000 in the application.
- You are buying from the full TAMS 3 investment list, which for this scheme runs to all 394 rows.
- You apply online through your agfood.ie account before the tranche closes. Tranche 13 closes 4 September 2026 and Tranche 14 closes 4 December 2026.
- The 60% rate is the whole point of this scheme. Most farmers get 40% on the same items, so on a €30,000 job you are €6,000 better off applying here.
- You get the full 394-row investment list. Animal housing, nutrient storage, silage, dairy, tillage, pig and poultry, potato, equine, biomass and sheep fencing are all open to you at 60%.
- There is a separate dedicated €90,000 (€160,000 for a registered farm partnership) for nutrient storage on top of the general ceiling. Storage does not eat your housing budget.
- Sheep fencing is in here at 60%. Sheep handling equipment is not. Sheep handling units, footbaths, weighing scales and rollover crates come only from the Farm Safety Scheme, which also pays 60%.
- 75% of eligible applications were selected in Tranche 12, so the odds are reasonable, though Ranking and Selection still applies when applications outstrip the budget.
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 28 August 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
What age do I have to be for the young farmer grant?
Over 18 and under 41, and set up on the holding within the previous five years. You also need to meet the requirement on occupational skill and competence, which in practice means a QQI Level 6 agricultural qualification, the Green Cert. You must own or hold a leasehold title to the site as well.
How much more do I get than a normal applicant?
You get 60% of approved costs instead of the standard 40%. On a €30,000 investment that is €18,000 rather than €12,000, so €6,000 more in your pocket. The ceiling is €90,000, or €160,000 for a registered farm partnership.
What can I claim for?
The full TAMS 3 investment list, all 394 rows of it. That covers animal housing, nutrient storage, silage, dairy equipment, tillage machinery, pig and poultry, potato equipment, equine, biomass and sheep fencing, all at the 60% rate.
Is there extra money for slurry storage?
Yes. On top of the general €90,000 there is a separate dedicated €90,000 for nutrient storage, or €160,000 for a registered farm partnership. Spending on storage does not use up the ceiling you want for housing or machinery.
Related guides
- Fuel Income Support Scheme
- TAMS 3 Dairy Equipment Scheme
- TAMS 3 Organic Capital Investment Scheme
- TAMS 3 Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme
- TAMS 3 Nutrient Importation Storage Scheme
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