April 16, 2020 Public Appeal for Proposals regarding Subsidies for IoT Utilization and Application Project that Promotes Regional IoT Implementation under FY2020 Budget

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has decided to make an appeal for proposals regarding subsidies for an IoT Utilization and Application Project to Promote Regional IoT Implementation from today through May 20, 2019. This project aims to promote the dissemination and deployment of the field-specific models of the “Roadmap for promoting regional IoT implementation” (compiled in December 2016 and re-revised in April 2018)
The project aims to supplement expenses on the establishment of initial investment and cooperation systems for areas that are working on the horizontal development of field-specific models.

1. Project overview

MIC organized a unit named Taskforce to Promote Regional IoT Implementation in September 2016 to spread the results of IoT utilization to every corner of Japan. The Taskforce formulated the “Roadmap for promoting regional IoT” implementation to present a concrete path to work on the implementation of IoT in respective regions, focusing on fields close to daily life to lead to the resolution of regional issues.
In this project, MIC will make an appeal for proposals for local efforts to spread field-specific models created through past demonstrations and other initiatives.

2. Project proposals expected

Project proposals to be submitted need to meet the conditions specified below.
Project proposals for the horizontal development of field-specific models that fall under the following requirements in the roadmap formulated by the Taskforce to Promote Regional IoT Implementation:

Requirements of horizontal development of field-specific models for project proposals

Requirement A

• G-space disaster prevention system
• Smart agriculture, forestry, and fishery
• Local business activation model
• Tourism cloud

Requirement B

• AI utilization

Requirement C

• Way of working (telework)

• *1
  Project proposals must be for the horizontal development of field-specific successful models in the roadmap to promote regional IoT implementation. For details of the requirements for each field-specific model, see Attachment 3-1 (Requirement A), Attachment 3-2 (Requirement B), and Attachment 3-3 (Requirement C) in 6. Documents on Public Appeal below.
• *2
  A case example other than those of field-specific models may be accepted as a successful model, provided that a concrete explanation of the case example is submitted (including numerical data on the success or the reception history of awards, e.g., the ICT Regional Revitalization Award). Also indicate that the project proposal submission is not for a new demonstration, but one that introduces a successful model into the project.
• *3
  Additional points will be given to the evaluation of project proposals that can concretely show countermeasures against novel coronavirus disease. Furthermore, as for Requirement B, points will be added in the case of collaborating with other local governments, such as joint system use and procurement.
• *4
  Local expense sharing (limited to non-qualifying bond expenses) may be subject to special adjustments to local allocation tax for the promotion of introducing advanced information and communications technology.

3. Method of submitting proposals

1. Period of submission

No later than 5 pm on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

2. Method of application

Make a suggestion using either i. or ii. below.

1. Submission by email

Make a proposal according to the implementation guideline (Attachment 1) and the proposal form (Attachment 2), submit the proposal to the competent Regional Bureau of Telecommunications (^*) by email, and inform MIC by telephone that you have submitted the email (no postal mail or submission by hand is required).

• *
  The competent Regional Bureau of Telecommunications is not the Regional Bureau of Telecommunications office that administers the area where the applicant (corporate body) exists. Submit the proposal to the Regional Bureau of Telecommunications office that has jurisdiction over the project implementation area (if there are multiple implementation areas, the main implementation area, and the Okinawa Office of Telecommunications in the case of Okinawa).

2. Application by system for filing requests for subsidies (jGrants)

In this project, it is possible to apply through a system for filing requests for subsidies (jGrants), which can complete the process from the public appeal to post-project procedures online. Be aware that a gBizID prime (a gBiz ID) is required for application with this system.
For details, please check the URL below.

• New System for Filing Requests for Subsidies Called “jGrants” Developed (December 24, 2019, announced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2019/1224_002.html

4. Selection of contractor candidates

MIC will select candidate contractors based on the results of external evaluation.

5. Future schedule

• June 2020: Evaluation by external experts
• July 2020: Announcement of adopted business operators and start of application procedures
• August 2020: Grant decision
• March 2021: Submission of performance report and confirmation of subsidy amount

• *
  The above schedule is subject to advance or postponement depending on the selection situation of the contractor candidates.