To enhance technological competitiveness of SMEs through support for new technology and new product development, as well as process innovation,
the Ministry of SMEs and Startups hereby announces the implementation plan for the “2025 SME Technology Development Support Project” as follows.
December 30, 2024
Minister of SMEs and Startups

1. Project Overview
To promote the improvement of technological competitiveness by supporting costs related to technology development for SMEs’ new technology and new product development, as well as product and process innovation.
<2025 Integrated Announcement on SME Technology Development Support Projects>

(Unit: 100 million KRW)

1) Support Scale: The amount of support for new projects under each program (excluding the support amount for ongoing projects and planning/evaluation expenses).
2) Development Period, Support Limit, and Government Contribution Ratio: Indicates the maximum level that can be supported.
3) Support Ratio and Implementation Schedule: Subject to change at the time of the detailed project announcement.
※ Announcements are made at the level of detailed or sub-projects. Please make sure to check each project’s announcement for the exact support details.

1. Policy Directions
① Provide innovative R&D support that challenges the market by intensively injecting new projects into strategic technology fields and by enabling project goals to be set objectively and reasonably.
② Promote network-type R&D that innovates the R&D ecosystem, such as joint-impact R&D that creates spillover effects for many companies, joint R&D with global cooperative research institutes, and local joint R&D.
③ Provide R&D support that enhances the efficiency of fiscal input by supplementing and advancing existing government-funded R&D and incorporating market functions such as private investment and loan-based methods.

2. Eligibility
○ SMEs: Small and medium enterprises as defined in Article 2 of the “Framework Act on Small and Medium Enterprises.”
※ Eligibility varies depending on the characteristics of each program; therefore, please refer to the individual program announcements.

3. Application Method
○ Apply online through the Pan-Government Integrated R&D Support System (IRIS); for certain programs, the SME Technology Development Project Management System (SMTECH) is used.
Pan-Government Integrated R&D Support System (IRIS): www.iris.go.kr
SME Technology Development Project Management System (SMTECH): www.smtech.go.kr
The application/receipt system for each detailed program will be specified in the respective program announcements.
Prior preparation of national researcher numbers for participating researchers and corporate accredited digital certificates is required.
※ For smooth application and submission, the research director (project leader)’s contact information must be stated in the R&D plan.
○ National Researcher Number (formerly the Science and Technology Researcher Number):
Issued individually through the “National Researcher Information System” after signing up for membership in the Pan-Government Integrated R&D Support System (IRIS).

4. Announcements by Detailed Program
○ Can be checked through the websites below according to the schedule specified in this main announcement:
Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS): www.mss.go.kr
Pan-Government Integrated R&D Support System (IRIS): www.iris.go.kr
SME Technology Development Project Management System (SMTECH): www.smtech.go.kr
National Science & Technology Information Service (NTIS): www.ntis.go.kr

5. Standards for Government-Supported R&D Costs and Institution-Borne R&D Costs
○ In accordance with the “Enforcement Decree of the National R&D Innovation Act,” government-supported R&D costs for SMEs may be up to 75% of the total R&D cost, and institution-borne R&D costs must be at least 25%.
However, since the ratio of government support and institutional burden within R&D costs differs by program, institution-borne costs (cash/in-kind) must be confirmed through the detailed program announcements.
※ Government-supported R&D costs refer to the amount calculated as up to 75% of R&D costs excluding international joint R&D costs, plus the amount of international joint R&D costs.

6. Technology Fee
○ Sales-based contracted technology fee (running royalty)
A for-profit institution (lead or participating organization) that owns the results of the technology development shall pay, for five years after the project is judged as “completed,” an amount corresponding to a certain percentage of the sales generated from the implementation of the developed technology, based on the terms agreed upon at the time of the project agreement.
※ Since the criteria for the payment of technology fees may differ depending on the characteristics of each detailed program, please refer to the individual program announcements.

7. Security Classification
○ Research and development institutions wishing to participate in SME technology development support programs must classify the security grade (Security Task / General Task) of the project being applied for and indicate this in the R&D plan.
A Security Task refers to an R&D project falling under each subparagraph of Article 45(1) of the Enforcement Decree of the “National R&D Innovation Act.”
The security grade may differ from the grade at the time of application during the selection procedures or the performance of the research and development task, through evaluation committees or the Security Task Classification Committee (Security Task ↔ General Task).
○ Institutions performing Security Tasks must manage such tasks in accordance with Article 21 of the “National R&D Innovation Act,” Articles 44 through 48 of its Enforcement Decree, and the “Security Measures for SME Technology Development Support Projects.”
※ Regardless of whether the applied project is a Security Task or a General Task, the above regulations regarding Security Tasks must be checked.

8. Grounds for Exclusion from Support
In addition to the support exclusion requirements listed below, additional requirements for exclusion may be set by each program.
Please refer to each program announcement for detailed information.
① When the lead R&D institution, etc. submits false documents in the project proposal or required documents for application/selection
② When any participating institution (lead R&D institution, joint R&D institution, subcontracted R&D institution, etc.), its representative, or the research director falls under any of the following:
As of the application deadline, obligations required by each program [payment of technology fees, recovery funds, refund amounts, penalty surcharges, performance record input (equipment purchase records, etc.)] have not been fulfilled.
Exception: If the reason for non-fulfillment is resolved before the commencement of the first evaluation for project selection.
If the subcontracted institution is a non-profit organization or a public corporation (public enterprise), this applies only to the research director.
When participation in national R&D programs is restricted.
③ When any participating institution (lead, joint, or subcontracted R&D institution), or its representative, falls under any of the following:
Non-profit organizations and public corporations (public enterprises) are exempt.
Corporate bankruptcy (except when rehabilitation has been approved).
The corporation is in a suspended or closed business state.
Listed on the debtor list under the Civil Execution Act, or registered in a credit information agency for delinquency, subrogation payment, default, financial irregularities, or related information.
Exception: When resolved before the commencement of the first evaluation for project selection.
In arrears of national or local taxes, or registered for arrears of fines, customs duties, employment/industrial accident insurance premiums, or unpaid wages in credit information agencies.
Exception: When resolved before initial evaluation or when deferment of disposition has been granted.
When bankruptcy, rehabilitation, or personal rehabilitation procedures have been filed.
Exception: When debt repayment is being normally executed according to a court-approved rehabilitation or modification plan.
Debt-to-equity ratio of 1,000% or higher, or capital impairment (complete capital erosion) based on the most recent financial statement.
May differ by program; please check each program announcement.
Subject to exclusion from receiving subsidies or indirect subsidies under Article 31-2 of the “Subsidy Management Act,” or restricted from receiving subsidies/indirect subsidies.
If such exclusion is shown in the National Subsidy Integrated Management System (Nara-Boum), the restriction applies.
Falls under any application or support exclusion conditions specified in the relevant regulations or detailed program announcements.
④ When the eligibility of the lead R&D institution does not meet the required qualifications, or when the content of the applied project does not match the basic purpose, development characteristics, or announcement details of the detailed program
⑤ When the applied project has no clear distinction from previously developed or previously supported projects
⑥ When falling under any “application restrictions” or “support exclusion” conditions specified in individual program announcements

9. Relevant Laws and Regulations
※ Eligibility requirements, government contribution criteria, evaluation procedures and methods, technology fees, and support exclusion requirements may differ depending on each detailed program; therefore, please refer to future support plans and the announcements for each detailed program.
※ The scale of support and implementation schedule for each program may change depending on circumstances. Any changes in schedule or additional program information will be announced on the websites of the specialized agencies and project management systems listed in the contact information.
○ Laws (Acts and Decrees)
Act on the Promotion of Technology Innovation of Small and Medium Enterprises · Enforcement Decree · Enforcement Rule
National R&D Innovation Act · Enforcement Decree · Enforcement Rule
○ Guidelines (Notifications)
Operational Guidelines for SME Technology Development Support Projects,
Regulations on the Management of Technology Fees for SME Technology Development Support Projects,
Operational Rules on Penalty Surcharges for Misuse of R&D Funds, etc.
Standards for the Use of R&D Funds in National R&D Projects
○ Management Manuals
Management manuals for SME Technology Development Support Projects, as provided in each individual program announcement
Security Measures for SME Technology Development Support Projects




2. Support Plans by Program
※ Support details, support scale, and implementation schedule may change depending on circumstances.
For detailed information, please refer to each program announcement.




3. Contact Information by Program
□ Contact Information for Each Program

1) For system-related inquiries when applying through the Integrated Inter-Ministerial Research Support System (www.iris.go.kr): 1877-2041
2) The responsible department and specialized (managing) agency may change according to each detailed program announcement.