Checked against the official page on 2026-10-20. Part of Oak’s directory of Japanese business grants.
Before you apply
- The money is not up front. You pay for the whole project yourself. The grant reimburses a share of it (often half to two-thirds) after a completion report has been checked, typically 6 to 18 months after applying.
- Do not spend before approval. Costs ordered, contracted or paid before the official grant decision (交付決定) are usually not eligible.
- Competitive and strict. Business plans are scored against other applicants and many are rejected. Eligibility rules on company size, ownership and tax compliance are applied to the letter.
- Obligations continue after payment. Reports for up to five years, inspections, and targets in your plan. Missing them can mean repaying part or all of the grant.
| Japanese name | ディープテック・スタートアップ支援事業（DTSU）／GX分野のディープテック・スタートアップ実用化研究開発・量産化実証支援事業 |
|---|---|
| Level | National · Nationwide |
| Administered by | NEDO (METI fund) |
| Type | Startup R&D / scale-up |
| Maximum amount | STS ¥300M–500M; PCA ¥500M–1bn; DMP ¥2.5bn; ¥3bn per company total |
| Subsidy rate | NEDO 2/3 (DMP 1/2 without ≥1/6 equity) |
| Who can apply | Deep-tech startups with VC/CVC/corporate investors (partner VC submits a form) |
| Support organisation | Partner VC required (not 認定支援機関) |
| How to apply | jGrants (GビズID) or web form for pre-incorporation STS |
| Rounds and deadlines | ~4 intake windows/yr; 10th call 2026-07-21 to 09-08 |
| Adoption rate | 9th call: 99 proposals → 10 adopted (~10%) |
Can a foreign-owned company apply?
Japanese-registered company; foreign-owned startups possible if the R&D is METI-domain industrial technology in Japan – check 公募要領 (not verified)
Points to note
Highly technical; likely partner with VCs or patent attorneys.
Grant rules, amounts and deadlines change every round. Always work from the current application guidelines (公募要領) on the official page. This page is general information, not advice on your eligibility.
How Oak can help
Oak is a licensed gyoseishoshi (administrative scrivener) firm. We check eligibility before you spend time on an application, help set up the GビズID Prime account most programmes require, prepare and organise the supporting documents within the programme's rules, and handle the reporting that follows an award.