Project Funding

Turn your organisation’s plans into a funding-ready project

The Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) supports investment in sports facilities and equipment across Ireland.

Spring Advisory helps sports clubs, community organisations and multi-sport facilities prepare their projects and navigate the funding process—from developing the initial idea and gathering documents to preparing the application and supporting grant drawdown.

Whether you are considering an equipment purchase, improving existing facilities or exploring a shared project, we can help you understand the appropriate funding route and what you need to prepare.

Funding routes

Find the right route for your project

  • Maximum Grant: €250,000

    The main route for local clubs and organisations.

  • Maximum Grant: €70,000

    For eligible applicants; NGBs cannot apply for equipment funding.

  • Maximum Grant: €550,000

    For qualifying regional projects, including shared developments.

  • Maximum Grant: €750,000

    For larger multisport projects; applications are restricted to NGBs and local authorities.

Regional Tier 2 has a maximum grant rate of 70%, requiring evidence of the remaining 30% funding. The appropriate category depends on the applicant, project and scheme conditions.

We can help assess your proposed project, identify the relevant category and develop a realistic budget.

Participation, inclusion and shared facilities

Explain the difference your project will make

The 2026 announcement emphasises participation, equal access for men and women, a commitment to “Sport for All” and greater collaboration between organisations. The new regional tier prioritises facilities shared by at least two sports.

We help your organisation explain:

• The sporting need your project addresses.

• Who will use and benefit from the investment.

• How it will improve participation or accessibility.

• How facilities could serve other clubs or community partners.

• How the project will be operated and maintained.

A clear proposal connects the requested investment to practical benefits for your organisation and its community.

Ownership, leases and access

Understand the arrangements your project needs

The announced changes reduce the minimum lease term from 15 years to 10 years and remove the mandatory requirement for a registered lease. School–club partnerships can use a qualifying 10-year sharing licence. The detailed conditions should be checked against the Information Guide.

If your organisation uses facilities belonging to another club, school, university, council or landowner, we can help identify the access arrangements, permissions and documents your project may require.

For organisations without their own facilities, we can also explore whether an equipment-only application would be appropriate.

Key Dates

Preparing early gives your committee time to clarify the project, obtain quotations and resolve documentation gaps.

SPRAOI Registration Open - 28 September 2026

Applications Open - 19 October 2026

Applications Close - 26 February 2027

Registering on SPRAOI

Check your access before preparing the application

SPRAOI replaces the previous OSCAR system. Existing OSCAR registrations have transferred, but organisations should check their access and details. New applicants must register before applying.

We can help your organisation get started, identify missing information and prepare for the application stage.

How Spring Advisory helps

Support from preparation to grant drawdown

Our support can include:

• Assessing project readiness and potential eligibility.

• Developing the project case, budget and supporting evidence.

• Gathering quotations, financial records and required documents.

• Reviewing ownership, lease and shared-use documentation needs.

• Preparing the SPRAOI application and supporting submission.

• Responding to requests for clarification.

• Supporting procurement and payment-claim preparation after an award.

We agree responsibilities with your organisation at the outset and keep your nominated contacts involved throughout.

Plan for delivery as well as the application

Securing an award is one step towards completing a project. Your organisation also needs to understand approval conditions, supplier commitments, its own contribution and the timing of grant payments.

We help you consider these requirements early, including any money needed to pay suppliers before reimbursement. Payment arrangements must be checked against the conditions of your award.

Our fee

No win, no fee

For our CSFF application support, our fee is 4% of the total grant awarded if your application succeeds. If no grant is awarded, there is no success fee.

We agree the full scope, responsibilities and terms before work begins. Wider advisory services are discussed and priced separately.

Official guidance

Eligibility and funding decisions rest with the Department. Applications must meet the requirements of the current Information Guide and Terms and Conditions.

Let’s talk about your project

Whether you have a defined proposal or an early idea, we can discuss your plans and the support your organisation needs.