Capabilities and products
- innovation R&D subsidies for SMEs
- Phase 1 preliminary research subsidy
- Phase 2 R&D and pilot-production/service-trial subsidy
- Phase 2+ value-added application subsidy for R&D results
- R&D subsidy for SME alliance applications
Exhibits
Applications are submitted online by completing the program application form, writing the project content and uploading the required documents; For individual applications, the program offers Phase 1 preliminary research, Phase 2 research and development, and Phase 2+ value-added application. Phase 1 is for small-scale experiments or analysis of an innovative concept to verify that it can be converted into a feasible technology, product or business model, and it is limited to individual applications; A Phase 1 proposal is expected to explain the key problem, the plan for executing the innovative concept, the expected verification targets and outcomes, and relevant R&D experience and execution results. Phase 2 supports R&D on a concept whose feasibility has already been verified, including work on a product prototype, production method or service mechanism and extension into small-volume pilot production or service trial operation; Phase 2 proposals are expected to specify the problem to be solved, a feasible work plan, verifiable quantitative indicators, expected industrial benefits and relevant R&D experience. Phase 2+ applies previous Phase 2 or Startup SBIR Innovation Selection Stage 2 results through technology upgrading, product commercialization, service-function enhancement or business-model optimization for diversified application, supply-chain integration or new-market development. A Phase 2+ application based on previous results must be filed within 3 years after completion of the preceding Phase 2 or Startup SBIR Innovation Selection Stage 2 project; If a Phase 2+ project receives product orders for its R&D result within 3 years after project completion, the program states that 1% of the order amount is paid into the program account as an R&D return, capped at 2% of the approved subsidy amount. For individual applications, Phase 1 has a listed duration of 6 months and a subsidy ceiling of 150萬元 per project; Individual Phase 2 projects run from at least 6 months to a maximum of 2 years, with a listed annual subsidy ceiling of 600萬元 and a two-year total ceiling of 1,200萬元. Individual Phase 2+ projects run from at least 6 months to a maximum of 1 year, with a listed subsidy ceiling of 600萬元 per project; Alliance Phase 2 projects run from at least 9 months to a maximum of 2 years; the annual ceiling is the number of members multiplied by 500萬元, and a two-year project is capped at the number of members multiplied by 1,000萬元, with an overall maximum of 3,000萬元. Alliance Phase 2+ projects run from at least 9 months to a maximum of 1 year, with a ceiling equal to the number of members multiplied by 500萬元 and an overall maximum of 2,500萬元. For alliance applications, non-SME members may include domestic universities, legal entities or research institutions, but the program states that non-SME budgeted expenses may not exceed 20% of total project expenditure and must be self-funded. Companies with certain disqualifying conditions cannot apply, including unresolved suspension from government projects or procurement, tax arrears within 3 years, mainland Chinese investment in the applicant or subcontracting unit, and specified serious legal violations or confirmed financial crimes. Companies that are dissolved, revoked, suspended or closed, and branches in Taiwan of domestic or foreign profit-seeking enterprises, are also listed as ineligible. An individual applicant that completes Phase 1 may proceed to Phase 2 only after Phase 1 is closed and the Phase 1 committee agrees, while a Phase 2+ continuation requires completion of Phase 2 and committee approval; For biotechnology and pharmaceutical projects, approved execution periods may be extended to 9 months for Phase 1, 3 years for Phase 2 and 1.5 years for Phase 2+. The subsidy ceiling for Phase 2 and Phase 2+ is reduced proportionally according to project duration; the program gives an example in which an 18-month individual Phase 2 project has a ceiling of 900萬元 based on 1,200萬元 divided by 24 months and multiplied by 18 months.
Company profile
The Small Business Innovation Research Program subsidizes innovative R&D activities by domestic small and medium-sized enterprises, encourages continued R&D investment and seeks to increase the commercialization value of R&D results. The program also guides domestic academic and research institutions to help SMEs strengthen R&D capability, with the stated objective of supporting industrial upgrading and transformation; The program is promoted by the Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration to encourage technological and service innovation and to strengthen the industrial competitiveness of Taiwan's SMEs. It is implemented under the Regulations Governing Assistance for Industrial Innovation Activities and is intended to stimulate SME innovation, support knowledge planning and R&D talent development, and use R&D results to foster industrial systems and economic development. Applicants are legally registered domestic SMEs, and the program states that industries are not restricted as long as the R&D proposal is innovative and the applicable eligibility conditions are met. The detailed eligibility definition includes companies, limited partnerships or registered businesses with paid-in capital or contributions of no more than 新臺幣1億元, or fewer than 200 regularly employed workers. The proposed project execution site must be within the jurisdiction of Taiwan. The program provides both individual applications and alliance applications; an alliance consists of at least 3 members, its lead enterprise must be an SME and SMEs must account for at least 60% of project members.