March 10, 2020 Public Appeal for Proposals for R&D of New ICT Services for the Elderly and People with Disabilities as a Government-subsidized R&D Project in Technologies to Bridge Digital Divide

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has decided to make a public appeal for proposals for research and development (R&D) of new ICT services for the elderly and people with disabilities as a government-subsidized project of fiscal 2020 in technologies to bridge digital divide from Tuesday, March 10 through Friday, April 10, 2020.

1. Project overview

This project has been implemented since fiscal 1997. The project is intended to enhance communications and broadcasting services for the elderly and disabled. The project covers private companies that conduct the research and development of advanced communications and broadcasting services for the elderly and disabled, or communications and broadcasting services for the elderly and disabled that have not been implemented. The project will subsidize a portion of the research and development funds of these companies.
MIC will make this appeal before the fiscal 2020 budget bill passes the Diet so that eligible organizations can start the project as soon as possible. Therefore, it should be kept in mind that the implementation of the project is subject to change according to the passage of the budget bill.

Note: The project was conducted by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology as a project of R & D Grant for Enhancing Communication and Broadcasting Services for the Elderly and Challenged project from fiscal 1997 to fiscal 2011.

2. Period of public appeal

From 2 pm on Tuesday, March 10 and no later than 5 pm on April 10, 2020.

3. Application method

Use the R & D Management System (e-Rad), which is common to all ministries, to enter your application information and apply electronically or bring or mail the application to the submission destination

4. Submission destination

ICT Accessibility and Human Resource Development Office, Advanced Information Systems and Software Division, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Central Gov’t Building No. 2
2-1-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8926
(Put a complete set of application documents in an envelope marked “Application documents for the digital interference prevention project.” (No application by fax or e-mail is accepted.))