Kingspan has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Kingspan Kickstart Sports Fund, inviting athletes and sports organisations across Ireland to apply for financial support to help progress their sporting journeys.
Now entering its fourth year, Kickstart is open to individuals and organisations across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The fund is designed to help remove financial barriers at grassroots level, supporting aspiring athletes and community sports organisations nationwide.
The fund provides targeted awards of €1,000 per athlete and €2,500 per organisation, supporting essential costs including equipment, coaching, travel and other key resources. Applications are open to all communities and across all sporting disciplines, with the Kingspan Kickstart committee assessing submissions over two intake rounds between January and June 2026. The first application deadline falls at the end of March.
Kickstart operates a selection process that looks beyond results alone, considering values, personal development, growth potential and character. This approach has enabled the fund to support a diverse range of recipients, from local GAA clubs to para-athletes and endurance competitors.
“The biggest barrier to sporting success often isn’t a lack of talent, it’s a lack of opportunity,” said Richard Beswick, Global Partnerships and Sports Sponsorships Manager at Kingspan. “The Kingspan Kickstart Sports Fund exists to bridge that gap. We are incredibly proud to continue our support of grassroots sport across Ireland, backing athletes and organisations who possess the grit and determination to succeed, regardless of their discipline or background.”
Since its launch, the Kickstart fund has awarded more than €300,000 to successful applicants across Ireland. Past recipients include Gearóid McDaid, who won gold for Ireland at the European Surfing Championships in Santa Cruz, Portugal, and Megan Armitage, who represented Ireland in cycling at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games before transitioning to triathlon. Kingspan plans to continue supporting both athletes as their careers develop.
Other Kickstart-supported athletes include handball great Paul Brady and rising GT racing driver Alex Denning, along with teams such as the TC Racing Junior Ladies Cycling Team, helping them compete both domestically and internationally.
Alongside Kickstart, Kingspan has a long-standing commitment to sports development through partnerships including RC Toulon, Uruguay Rugby and Cavan GAA. The Kickstart fund remains a key pillar of that strategy, supporting grassroots athletes, local clubs and community initiatives that align with the company’s values across Ireland.
Applications for the 2026 Kingspan Kickstart Sports Fund are now open, with full eligibility criteria and application details available via the official entry portal.
Image Credit: Kingspan
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