Spark Seed is Now Open - Turn Your Idea into Impact

HSE Spark Innovation Programme

Spark Seed is designed to support frontline healthcare professionals to take innovative ideas forward, with micro-funding of up to €5,000 available to help you test, develop, or grow your project. Whether you’re starting from scratch or building on something you’ve already begun, this is your opportunity to make a real difference in practice.

Spark Innovation Programme welcomes applications from across the HSE and Section 38 services, including:

• Doctors (NCHDs and consultants)
• Nurses and midwives
• Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs)
• Pharmacists

If you’ve applied before, you’re very welcome to apply again with a new idea. Some of the strongest projects come from revisiting and refining a spark of an idea.

What we’re particularly excited about this round is seeing ideas from those closest to care delivery—because we know that’s where the most meaningful innovation happens.

Key Dates

• Application deadline: Friday June 26th at 11:59pm
• Shortlisting begins: Monday June 29th
• Shortlisting outcomes: Week commencing July 6th
• Pitch video submission: Wednesday July 22nd
• Pitching week: Week commencing Monday July 27th

Apply here

https://surveys.hse.ie/s/SparkSeedQ2ApplicationForm/

If you’re thinking about applying but aren’t sure where to start, we encourage you to:

• Explore the Spark Seed guidance document at Spark Seed Guide 2026
• Attend a Design Thinking Workshop book via Design Thinking Workshop
• Reach out to the team for a conversation about your idea by sending us some information on it via https://surveys.hse.ie/s/SparkProblemPostcard/ and a team member will be in touch

[email protected]

We truly believe that great ideas already exist within our services - this is about giving you the support to bring them to life.

Looking forward to seeing what you create.

The HSE Spark Innovation Programme

National Office of Frontline Innovation and Simulation | Sancton Wood Building |

Heuston South Quarter | Saint John’s Road West | Dublin 8 | D08 TPX9

Email: www.hse.ie/spark