Research and Development on New Energy Technology for Discovering Technology Seeds and Commercializing Developed Technologies

With a focus on promoting the use of renewable energy sources, whose importance is indicated in Strategic Energy Plan and New Growth Strategy, this program provides R&D funding in two areas: 1. Support for new energy small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)/startups and 2. Demonstrations of far-sighted new energy technologies. By funding R&D and supporting the development of SMEs/startups under these two areas, NEDO seeks to diversify technology options and promote innovation in the new energy sector.

This program is also intended, in connection with the promotion of “Fukushima Innovation Coast” concept, to contribute to the reconstruction and revitalization of the Coastal Region of Fukushima Prefecture by enhancing support for technology development in renewable energy fields.

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  Program Summary

Program Scheme

NEDO makes a public offer and provides R&D funding supports in the two areas; "Development of new energy SMEs/startups" and "Demonstrations of far-sighted new energy technologies". In addition, the program utilizes stage-gate review, which is a step-by-step review method to determine whether or not a project can move to the next phase, with the aim of providing continuous support for outstanding R&D themes.

[1] Support for New Energy SMEs/Startups

Consistent with the level of progress of their R&D efforts and plans for commercialization, NEDO provides R&D funding according to the following five phases.

Phase A: Feasibility Study

Support for feasibility studies on fundamental technologies needed for commercialization by SMEs/start-ups with technology seeds, as the collaboration among industry, academia and government.

• Project period: up to 1 year
• Project amount: less than 12.5 million yen per theme in principle
• Subsidy amount and rate: less than 10 million yen per theme, with NEDO supporting up to 8/10 of total cost.

Phase B: Fundamental Research

Support for R&D on fundamental technologies needed for commercialization by SMEs/start-ups with technology seeds, as the collaboration among industry, academia and government.

• Project period: up to 2 years in principle
• Project amount: less than 62.5 million yen per theme in principle
• Subsidy amount and rate: less than 50 million yen per theme, with NEDO supporting up to 8/10 of total cost.

Phase α: Feasibility Study

Support for feasibility studies on fundamental technologies needed for commercialization by SMEs/start-ups with technology seeds backed by domestic venture capitalists and seed accelerators (hereinafter referred to as "VCs").

• Project period: up to 1 year
• Project amount: less than 12.5 million yen per theme in principle
• Subsidy amount and rate: less than 10 million yen per theme, with NEDO supporting up to 2/3 of total cost.

Phase β: Fundamental Research

Support for R&D on fundamental technologies needed for commercialization by SMEs/start-ups with technology seeds backed by VCs.

• Project period: up to 2 years in principle
• Project amount: less than 105 million yen per theme in principle
• Subsidy amount and rate: less than 70 million yen per theme, with NEDO supporting up to 2/3 of total cost.

Phase C: R&D on Commercial Applications

Support for R&D and demonstration of practical application technologies by SMEs/start-ups with fundamental technology elements that have high potential for commercialization.

• Project period: up to 2 years in principle
• Project amount: less than 225 million yen per theme in principle
• Subsidy amount and rate: less than 150 million yen per theme, with NEDO supporting up to 2/3 of total cost.

[2] Demonstrations of Far-sighted New Energy Technologies

Support for demonstration projects to solve problems in the mass introduction of renewable energy.

• Project period: up to 1 year (preparation); up to 3 years in principle (demonstration)
• Project amount: less than 40 million yen per theme; 30 million yen for SMEs in principle (preparation)
• less than 600 million yen per theme; 450 million yen for SMEs in principle (demonstration)
• Subsidy amount and rate: less than 300 million yen per theme, with NEDO supporting up to 1/2 of total cost; up to 2/3 of total cost for SMEs.