September 30, 2021 Beyond 5G R&D Promotion Project: Public Appeal for Project Plans of “Innovative venture etc. subsidy program” as a SBIR Program

The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) is implementing a Beyond 5G research and development (R&D) promotion project. In this regard, NICT is now making a public appeal for project plans of “Innovative venture etc. subsidy program” as a small business innovation research (SBIR) program.

1. Purpose of project

In the Beyond 5G R&D promotion project, NICT conducts the publicly solicited R&D of elemental technologies to be commissioned to entities, including private companies and universities. Such elemental technologies are necessary to realize Beyond 5G, the next-generation information and communications technology, which is expected to become the foundation for all industries and society in the 2030s. The goal is to strengthen Japan’s international competitiveness by establishing elemental technologies and reflecting them in international standards.

2. Program overview

This program utilizes the commercialization know-how of the private sector and supports (subsidizes) R&D to be integrated with commercialization and conducted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Such SMEs include venture companies and start-ups that have innovative technological seeds and ideas and are willing to take on difficult challenges.

3. Content of public appeal

NICT has decided to make a public appeal for project plans as follows.

• Title of subjects of public appeal: Innovative venture etc. subsidy program
• Period of public appeal: From September 30, 2021 to 5 pm November 30, 2021 (JST)
• Subsidy target: SMEs, such as venture companies and start-ups
• Subsidy rate: Within 2/3
• Subsidy amount: In principle, no more than 100 million yen per project
• Number of adopted projects: Approximately 3 (planed)

Refer to the following web page of NICT for the details of the public appeal.

https://www.nict.go.jp/en/index.html