Thematic Innovation Grant

Thematic Innovation Grant

Provides Thai small businesses and startups matching support for innovation projects in strategic sectors through grants.

The Thematic Innovation Grant is NIA's flagship sectoral matching grant, funded under the Mandatory Innovation Business Platform (mandatory.nia.or.th). It supports Thai businesses testing market feasibility and refining innovative products or services within six government-designated strategic sectors: High-Value Food and Fruit for Export; Value Chain of Economic Plants and Animals; Circular and Low-Carbon Economy; Clean Energy; Digital ARI-Tech (AI, Robotics, Immersive, IoT); and Electric Vehicles and related technology. NIA covers up to 75% of project costs with a ceiling of ฿5,000,000 per project, and projects can run for up to three years — a significantly longer window than most other NIA instruments. The FY2569 (2026) round is currently open. The programme has now completed at least five annual cycles, with approximately 92 projects funded cumulatively at a total value of around ฿530 million.

Eligible applicants must be Thai-registered legal entities with at least 51% Thai shareholding. Accepted legal forms include companies, foundations, associations, community enterprises, and cooperatives. Individuals cannot apply directly. Projects must fall within one of the six named sectors; cross-industry applicants are directed to the Open Innovation grant instead. The applicant must cover at least 25% of total project costs. Applications are submitted through the NIA MIS portal at mis.nia.or.th, under the Mandatory Innovation Business Platform.

Applicants in one of the six strategic sectors who need more than 12 months to develop and validate their innovation — or whose project costs exceed the ฿1.5M Open Innovation ceiling — should prioritise this grant. The three-year project duration and ฿5M ceiling make it the strongest match for complex product development and market validation projects. Because the FY2569 round is currently open, applicants should submit a Conceptual Idea through the MIS portal promptly. Strong applications demonstrate a clear sector fit, a defined market problem, and a credible commercialisation plan.