The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will support SMEs in conducting joint research and development targeting core technologies identified and planned by KAIST and the Korea Electronics Technology Institute, including SME matching, project planning, and technology development.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 16th that it will recruit SMEs to participate in this year's "Materials, Parts, and Equipment Strategic Collaboration Technology Development Project" from January 17 to February 7.

This project is conducted together with universities and research institutions that possess technology, infrastructure, and personnel in the materials, parts, and equipment sectors.

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and the Korea Electronics Technology Research Institute have been selected as research institutions.

As a project to promote innovative technology development in SMEs, companies with research capabilities in each field can participate.

Through this announcement, 10 SMEs will be selected to participate in Phase 1 "Technology Development (R&D) Joint Planning."

Selected companies will receive up to 15 million won for a maximum of 1.5 months and jointly plan technology development with the operating institution to apply for Phase 2 (R&D Joint Implementation).

Upon completion of Phase 1 projects, after evaluation, 7 projects with superior technological excellence will be selected as Phase 2 projects and will receive up to 800 million won in technology development funding for a maximum of 2 years.

Support sectors include △machinery and metals 17 items △future materials 11 items △display 11 items △semiconductors 13 items △automobiles 11 items △electrical and electronics 10 items △biotechnology 12 items △green energy 14 items △non-face-to-face digital 5 items, for a total of 104 items.

Won Young-jun, Director of Technology Innovation Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "Through the Materials, Parts, and Equipment Strategic Collaboration Technology Development Project, we will strengthen the external technological competitiveness of domestic SMEs" and "We will continue to provide support so that rapid technological independence can be realized."

Companies wishing to participate can apply through the Pan-Ministry Integrated Research Support System (www.iris.go.kr).