Supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and a group of corporate partners involved in NBI’s delivery of the Government’s National Broadband Plan including KPMG, Circet, TLI Group, Entegro and Obelisk, the RISE Community Fund plans to award grants to schools throughout 2026, in line with the completion of the national fibre rollout.
Established by NBI Chairman David McCourt, the RISE Community Fund has awarded over 160 cash grants since its launch, supporting rural schools, farms, small businesses, social enterprises and community groups that are using technology to scale the positive impact of their work. This new funding round represents a focused effort to ensure that children in rural Ireland can fully benefit from high-speed broadband connectivity as it becomes available nationwide.
Speaking about the announcement, David McCourt, Chairman of NBI and founder of the RISE Community Fund, said: “From the outset, RISE was created to complement the National Broadband Plan by helping communities make the most of high-speed connectivity. As we look ahead to completing the broadband rollout in 2026, we’re delighted to focus this round of grants specifically on National Schools – giving young people in rural communities the tools, skills and opportunities they need to thrive in a digital world.”
TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer at National Broadband Ireland, added:
“The National Broadband Plan is being delivered on time and on budget, and as we move towards completion in 2026, it’s important that we continue to give back to the communities the project serves. Through RISE, NBI and our partners are proud to support rural schools as they explore new ways to use technology to enhance education and improve school environments.”
The RISE Community Fund encourages National Schools to outline how grant funding could support digital learning initiatives, classroom technology, connectivity projects or other creative uses of technology that benefit pupils, teachers and the wider school community.