ONEHEALTH AI Accelerator

Practical innovation support for SMEs in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. 

What is ONEHEALTH?

The AI Accelerator is part of the ONEHEALTH initiative – a cross-border programme using artificial intelligence to drive practical innovation across human, animal and environmental health. The project brings together research, industry and technology partners to tackle shared challenges in health, agrifood and sustainability, and to strengthen collaboration across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

The ONEHEALTH AI Accelerator is a nine-month programme designed to help SMEs in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland develop and grow AI-enabled products and processes to solve real business challenges. 

Led by Catalyst, with a consortium of leading universities and research organisations, ONEHEALTH is funded by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) through the PEACEPLUS Programme. 

Why your SME should apply

The ONEHEALTH AI Accelerator is for SMEs ready to move from idea to action with AI and deliver real business impact. If your business is ready to apply AI to a product or process, this programme is designed to support your next step.  

Participation offers: 

  • Hands-on AI engineering and innovation management support from ONEHEALTH delivery partners 

  • A practical, delivery-focused programme that helps you build, test, refine and validate AI approaches aligned to your business goals 

  • Access to expert technical and innovation input, supporting the connection between AI solutions, commercial strategy and real-world outcomes 

  • Cross-border expertise from academic and engineering teams across Northern Ireland and Ireland 

  • Opportunities to connect with a wider ecosystem spanning industry, research and innovation communities across the island of Ireland 

Who the accelerator is for

We’re looking for SMEs that: 

  • Are registered and operating in Northern Ireland or the border counties of Ireland 

  • Have a clear business challenge or opportunity where AI can add value 

  • Already have access to the relevant data required to develop or test a solution 

  • Can commit time and leadership over a nine-month programme 

If you’re unsure about any of these points, we encourage you to reach out early and talk to the ONEHEALTH team. We’re here to help you understand whether this programme is a good fit. 

The SME journey

Here is what an SME experiences from first contact to follow on support: 

  • Complete the eligibility and readiness check. If eligible, complete the application. If shortlisted, attend an online interview.

  • Meet the ONEHEALTH team. Sign the Collaboration Agreement covering IP and State Aid. Work with ONEHEALTH Engineers and Innovation Brokers to co-design your Project Plan and Innovation Management Plan.

  • Engineers work with your team on the project. Innovation Brokers meet regularly with you on your commercialisation plan. SMEs attend in person knowledge sharing workshops.

  • Attend the regional showcase event, with the chance to pitch and demo your innovation to key stakeholders.

  • Innovation Brokers support connections to available follow on support across the ecosystem.

How the application process works

The application process has three stages:

  • All SMEs must complete an eligibility and readiness check. This is used to confirm whether your business and innovation are eligible for the Accelerator. Submissions are reviewed by the ONEHEALTH team, and SMEs that meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to complete a full application. 

  • Elgibile SMEs will be invited to complete an application which includes a full innovation proposal focused on technical and commercial feasibility. This is used to assess eligible innovations in detail and to shortlist for interviews. 

  • Shortlisted SMEs will be invited to attend an online interview. During the interview, the ONEHEALTH team will ask questions to clarify your application, explore the proposed innovation in more detail, and confirm your capacity to participate fully in the Accelerator. The interview will also provide an opportunity for you to outline any key dependencies, risks, or support needs that may affect delivery. 

What to expect if you’re selected

Selected SMEs will take part in a structured nine-month programme with: 

  • Regular milestones and check-ins 

  • Four in-person workshops and a final showcase event 

  • Tailored support focused on practical progress 

  • Input from experienced practitioners and domain experts 

Throughout the programme your team will be supported to deliver against a plan that aligns with your business goals. 

Cycle 1 Key Dates

10 April 2026*

3 March 2026, 3pm

11 March 2026, 11am

14 April 2026

6 April-15 May 2026

19 May 2026

23 June 2026

8 September 2026

17 November 2026

26 January 2027

Applications open

Online information session

Online information session

Online interviews

Co design stage

In-person kick off event

In-person workshop

In-person workshop

In-person workshop

Showcase event

*Please note that applications are now closed for SMEs based in Northern Ireland. We are still accepting applications for SMEs based in Ireland.

Mandatory Criteria for SMEs 

All criteria must be met for participating SMEs. 

  • Employ fewer than 249 employees and have an annual turnover under €50m or £43m, or a balance sheet under €43m or £37m. Note: the size of the enterprise supported is measured at the time of application. 

  • Be a profit oriented organisation producing goods or services to satisfy market needs. 

  • Be legally registered and trading in the Core Programme Area Northern Ireland and or the border counties of Ireland, Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo. 
    If not legally registered and trading in the Core Programme Area, proposed project outcomes must be significant for the Core Programme Area. 

  • Have access to relevant datasets and capacity to engage in innovation activity. 

  • Operate in, or propose innovation relevant to 

    • Health 

    • Life sciences 

    • Agri food 

    • Environmental health 

    • AI enabled digital technologies applied to ONEHEALTH challenges 

Expressions of interest

Please note that cycle 1 in 2026 will operate as a closed application process, with invitations issued only to SMEs that participated in the co design phase of the ONEHEALTH project. Additional Accelerator cycles will run in 2027 and 2028. If you are interested in future cycles, please complete the Expression of Interest form and a member of the ONEHEALTH team will be in touch to discuss the project with you. There will also be opportunities to connect through workshops and knowledge sharing events. 

Got more questions?

Check out the FAQs where we answer everything from how the selection process works, how it's assessed, what types of innovations are supported and much more!

FAQs

If you have questions about the Accelerator – whether it’s eligibility, data needs, or application fit – we encourage you to reach out.  

How to find out more

Contact the team