SBIR Taiwan — Small Business Innovation Research

SBIR Taiwan Phase I — Preliminary Research

Offers Taiwan startups stage one support through MOEA programs for prototype development and technical validation for new solutions.

Taiwan's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I program, administered by the Small and Medium Enterprise Administration (SMESA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and delivered through the Corporate Synergy Development Center (CSD) at sbir.org.tw, provides grants of up to NT$1,000,000 to Taiwan-registered small and medium enterprises conducting preliminary research on an innovative technology or service concept. The project duration is up to six months, making Phase I a fast-entry vehicle for validating a new idea before committing to full R&D. Phase I is the entry point of the SBIR programme and completing it is typically required before applying to Phase II.

Eligibility is limited to Taiwan-registered for-profit companies meeting SME thresholds: paid-in capital at or below NT$100 million or no more than 200 regular employees (either threshold qualifies). Foreign entities without a Taiwan company registration cannot apply directly. Universities and research organizations may participate in supporting roles. The program focuses on innovation in technology and services; DoIT's 2026 priority sectors — including AI, semiconductors, robotics, UAV, next-generation communication, biotechnology, medical devices, and advanced materials — represent the strongest fit for applicants.

Applications are submitted in Chinese through the CSD portal. The program accepts applications on a rolling basis, with intake windows determined by SMESA's call schedule. Awards are cost-shared with the applicant; SBIR funding covers a portion of approved project costs. Applicants targeting Phase II should treat Phase I as a structured feasibility study and document technical and commercial milestones clearly, as Phase II reviewers assess Phase I outcomes. An English-language introduction page is available on the MOEA website for initial orientation.