The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has announced a major expansion of Ireland’s micro-credential offering, with 179 micro-credentials approved for an 80% learner fee subsidy from May 2026, under the Micro-Credential Learner Fee Subsidy (LFS) initiative.
Creative Futures Academy are delighted to be awarded significant Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy (LFS) to support learners attending our future-focused courses in both the National College of Art & Design and the Institute of Art Design + Technology, Dun Laoghaire.
Assessed for funding by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the micro-credentials will provide 3,881 subsidised learner places across 26 higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide. The approved programmes respond to enterprise skills demands and are aligned with national and regional skills needs, particularly in areas of digital transformation skills.
These subsidies are allocated across various courses within NCAD and IADT. Access to the Learner Fee Subsidy in 2026 means that learners can avail of discounts of up to 80% on course fees.
The courses on offer meet a range of priority skills needs including climate and digital skills for creatives. Creative Futures Academy continues to build its portfolio of flexible micro-credentialed learning opportunities that are accessible to learners at all stages of their career.
You can apply for micro-credentials approved for learner fee subsidy on www.springboardcourses.ie
For more information on micro-credentials see microcreds.ie
Applications are now open for a number of courses starting soon. See below for more details about the courses on offer.
*Terms & Conditions apply
Micro-credential courses are short, accredited courses designed to meet the demands of learners, enterprise and society. Micro-credential courses award between 1 and 30 ECTS and provide awards at Levels 6-9 on the National Framework of Qualifications. CFA are delighted to offer micro-credential courses at two of our three partner institutions: IADT & NCAD.
Please note some course dates are not finalised at this stage and subject to change.
Please note: All Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy applicants making an application for an approved course must first apply through springboardcourses.ie to demonstrate their eligibility prior to applying through the Higher Education portals at NCAD and IADT. This course is funded by the Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy 2026 programme and fees are subsidised at 80% for all eligible learner categories. This is NOT a Springboard+ funded course. We strongly advise reaching out to our coordinators in advance to ensure eligibility before applying.
NCAD Applicants
Please email any queries to ncad@creativefutures.ie
IADT Applicants
Please email any queries to microcreds@iadt.ie
