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Creative Clusters Initiative 2026-28

Education for Sustainable Development - Scoilnet                         

The Department of Education and Youth is pleased to announce the opening of a new round of Creative Clusters. The deadline for receipt of applications is 20th April.

Each Creative Cluster will receive grant funding of €3,000 per school over a two-year period to implement their project 2026–2028.

  • 3 schools would receive €9,000
  • 5 schools would receive €15,000

In addition to financial support above each Cluster will also receive:

  • A Creative Cluster Facilitator
  • Teacher Substitution to attend Workshops and Meetings
  • Room hire, travel & subsistence

Please see the following link for more details: Creative Clusters 2026 (Irish version: Cnuasaigh Chruthaitheacha)

Applications are to be completed online using the following link: Creative Clusters 2026 - 2028 Application .

Should you need assistance, please contact your local full-time Education Support Centre (list at Appendix 2 of Guidelines document on DEY website, or use this link: 2026 Guidelines)

If you have any queries, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or email the programme administrators at National Arts in Education, Tralee Education Support Centre: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Eligible Schools - The following schools are welcome to apply to participate in Creative Clusters:

  • Schools that have not yet participated in Creative Clusters.
  • Schools that have not yet participated in the Arts Council led Creative Schools initiative and those who will complete Creative Schools Year 2 in the 2025/26 school year. Schools cannot simultaneously participate in Creative Clusters, and the Arts Council led Creative Schools initiative.
  • Schools that will complete Creative Clusters Year 2 in the 2025/26 school year can only apply to lead a cluster of schools who have not yet participated in the initiative.
  • The local Education Support Centre will have a key role in identifying and supporting a Creative Cluster for their local area.
  • 42 Creative Clusters will be selected nationally - 2 per Education Support Centre.

Creative Clusters is an initiative of the Department of Education and Youth, led by and in partnership with the 21 full-time Education Centres (Education Support Centres Ireland - ESCI).

Dual Language Application Form