All 10 top flight clubs in the League of Ireland have written to the FAI asking to formally engage with UEFA on the potential for an All-Island League.
It comes after 10 out of 12 clubs in the Danske Bank Premiership wrote to the Irish FA asking for similar correspondence to be sent to European football's governing body.
In the letter, clubs said submitting the plan to UEFA would allow them to "explore the potential finances and sporting advantages of this proposal".
Kerry entrepreneur Kieran Lucid is the man behind the ambitious All-Island idea.
A lengthy consultation process involving Dutch sports consultancy firm eventually led to a hybrid season proposal being suggested.
It would see clubs in the respective top divisions playing two rounds of games before a split based on the standings which would then see clubs from Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland playing each other.
Points earned from the first stage of the season would count towards both the domestic and all-island competitions.
Points then earned from matches against sides from the opposite league would only count in the new competition which would see clubs compete for the King of the Island Cup.
It is understood UEFA would be supportive of a cross-border competition being established in Europe, and now clubs are keen to explore all options.
The Irish FA shot down plans of an all-Ireland league last year, a position the association said in May it had not moved from.
But with 20 of the 22 top flight clubs in the north and south now looking to investigate further, more discussions are expected.
