Advancing early domestication of materials, parts, and equipment and promoting SME technological independence
13 billion won support for 50 total RFPs in the first and second half through linkage with Korea Technology Finance Corporation

A dedicated technology transfer R&D project is being promoted for technological independence and early domestication in the materials, parts, and equipment (SME core components) sector.

The Small and Medium Business Administration will implement the Tech Bridge-based commercialization technology development project for the first time, providing support so that SMEs that have received core technologies from universities and research institutes in the materials, parts, and equipment sector can proceed with follow-up commercialization processes.

Through 2027, the project will support 240 tasks with total project costs of 252.5 billion won (159.2 billion won from government, 61.3 billion won from private sector), and this year will identify approximately 30 tasks in the first half and 20 in the second half with 13 billion won in support.

This year's support targets will focus on 183 public recruitment tasks (RFP) confirmed through expert review from industry, academia, and research institutes among tasks identified through technology demand surveys.

For public recruitment tasks (RFP), after evaluating business plans submitted by SMEs and selecting 50 tasks, the plan is to update annually considering urgency of technology development and suitability for SME development.

Universities and research institutes that transferred the technology must participate in the commercialization process to ensure rapid progress by transferring technology expertise and know-how.

Additionally, by linking with IP acquisition guarantees and commercialization guarantees operated by Korea Technology Finance Corporation, support will be provided to reduce the burden on SMEs for technology transfer and increase commercialization success rates.

Furthermore, to ensure reasonable evaluation and fairness from the perspective of the public, supported tasks are selected through final evaluation with participation of citizen evaluation panels. The citizen evaluation panel consists of general citizens with vested interests, including master's and doctoral professors and researchers in the materials, parts, and equipment field.

Won Young-joon, Director of Technology Innovation Policy at the SMB Administration, stated "We expect this project to activate the ecosystem for transfer and utilization of public technologies" and added "We plan to strengthen collaboration so that fundamental, original, and industrial core technologies in the materials, parts, and equipment sector can be transferred and commercialized to SMEs through relay support of projects from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Industry and Trade."

SMEs wishing to participate in this project can apply online through the SME Technology Development Comprehensive Management System by April 16.