SBIR Promotion Program

This project is part of the "Japanese SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Scheme," an inter-ministerial initiative implemented by the Cabinet Office as a command post to promote research and development of R&D-type startups that contribute to solving diversified social problems and smooth social implementation of the results, in accordance with the "Guidelines for Granting Designated Subsidies, etc." established under the Law on the Revitalization of Science, Technology and Innovation Creation.
The Cabinet Office Governing Board determines the R&D issues and phases to be implemented by relevant government ministries and agencies each fiscal year. The phases are divided into the initial R&D phase (POC and FS), referred to as Phase 1, and the practical application development support phase, referred to as Phase 2. These phases are implemented either in an "once-through type", where both phases are implemented exclusively within this program, or in a "linked type", where the second phase is linked to other designated subsidiary programs implemented by relevant government ministries and agencies.

The R&D issues of Japanese SBIR system are broadly classified into two categories: those based on procurement needs of the government, etc. (procurement needs type) and those based on political issues (social issues type). The former is aimed at government procurement of innovative technologies to improve the sophistication and efficiency of public services, while the latter is aimed at social implementation of innovative technologies to solve important political issues.
In addition, Japanese SBIR system will support various R&D phases of startups. The designated subsidies, including this program, will implement Phase 1 and Phase 2. In Phase 1, the enterprises conduct Proof of Concept (POC) and Feasibility Study (FS). In Phase 2, the enterprises that have completed the POC and the FS will conduct research and development for practical application. In addition, those who have received support in Phase 1 may pass the "Stage-Gate Review” to continue their project in phase 2, or new applications may be publicly called from the Phase 2 stage in certain research issues.
In principle, the eligible applicants will be Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that conduct research and development, either individually or as part of a group. The details of the selection process will be specified in the Public Call Guidelines.

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  SBIR Promotion Program: Flowchart

Once-through Type

In the Once-through Type, METI and NEDO will provide support for Phase 1 and 2 and the rest of the project.

Phase 1 (fixed-amount grant program)

• Implementation period: Within 1 year in principle
• Project type: Fixed-amount grant (NEDO Covered: 100%)
• Maximum grant amount: 20 million yen (NEDO Covered)

Phase 2 (grant program)

• Implementation period: Within 2 years in principle
• Program type: Grant (NEDO Covered: 2/3 or less)
• Maximum Grant amount: 100 million yen (NEDO Covered)

Linked Type

In the Linked type, based on the issues from other ministries and agencies, METI and NEDO will implement Phase 1 or Phase 1 and 2, and the ministry and agency that originated the issue will provide subsequent support.

Phase 1 (fixed-amount grant program)

• Implementation period: Within 1 years in principle
• Project type: Fixed-amount grant (NEDO Covered: 100%)
• Maximum grant amount: 15 million yen (NEDO Covered)

Phase 2 (grant program)

• Implementation period: Within 2 years in principle
• Project type: Grant (NEDO Covered: 2/3 or less)
• Maximum grant amount: 50 million yen (NEDO Covered)

The following are the R&D issues that will be the subject of the public call for FY2023. Please note that there may be changes to the research and development topics.
Details of the public call will be published separately on the NEDO’s website.

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  List of FY2023
  Research and Development Topics

(Avairable only in Japanese)

• Selection List FY2023 (Once-through Type)（630KB）
• Selection List FY2023 (Linked Type)（478KB）
• Selection List FY2022-2（69KB）
• Selection List FY2022-1（100KB）
• Selection List FY2021（122KB）

(Avairable only in Japanese)

• Results of Stage-Gate Review for FY2023 SBIR Promotion Program
• Results of Stage-Gate Review for FY2022 SBIR Promotion Program