Details compiled from secondary sources and not yet checked against the official page. 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 | 中小企業イノベーション創出推進事業（SBIRフェーズ3） |
|---|---|
| Level | National · Nationwide |
| Administered by | Cabinet Office / CSTI with MLIT, MEXT, MHLW, METI and others |
| Type | Deep-tech demonstration |
| Maximum amount | Varies by topic, e.g. MLIT 3rd tranche 189M per project |
| Subsidy rate | Fixed / up to 100% (topic-based) |
| Who can apply | Startups and SMEs that are SBIR-designated |
| Support organisation | None |
| How to apply | e-Rad |
| Rounds and deadlines | Topic calls run several times a year by each ministry |
| Adoption rate | Low (competitive; topic-specific) |
Can a foreign-owned company apply?
Japanese corporations; foreign-owned allowed if they meet the SME/startup definitions (verify per call).
Points to note
Fund-based; check each ministry's call.
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.