The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has extended applications for the 2026 SME R&D Top 50 Outcomes program through August 14. Companies that are completing or have successfully completed a Ministry-sponsored R&D project should review the category requirements and prepare supporting evidence.
Program Overview
| Program | 2026 SME R&D Top 50 Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Administrators | Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs |
| Selection | 50 companies across four categories |
| Extended application period | July 24–August 14, 2026 |
| Application | Online through the SMTECH system |
| Contact | 044-300-0712 or 044-300-0715; outcome@tipa.or.kr |
What Is the Program?
The program identifies and promotes outstanding R&D achievements by Korean SMEs. In 2026, it plans to select 50 companies in four categories: 25 for commercialization, 17 for strategic technology, three for resilience and re-challenge, and five for public innovation. The distribution may change depending on applications and competition.
Eligibility by Category
Applicants must generally be conducting or have successfully completed an SME R&D project administered by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Requirements vary by category.
- Commercialization: Companies that completed a Ministry R&D project between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2025, with an Excellent or Standard evaluation
- Strategic Technology: Companies that completed a Ministry R&D project within the past five years or are currently performing one
- Resilience and Re-Challenge: Companies that have completed at least one Ministry R&D project with an Excellent or Standard evaluation
- Public Innovation: Companies holding a valid Ministry Innovative Product designation as of June 1, 2026
The commercialization category also considers cumulative project sales and recent sales growth. Strategic Technology examines capabilities related to national strategic technologies or supply-chain stability. Public Innovation has separate criteria, including at least KRW 1 billion in public-sector sales during the past five years. Review the official announcement for the complete scoring rules.
Benefits for Selected Companies
- Recommendation for commercialization-support programs offering up to KRW 150 million beginning in 2027
- Recommendation for project guarantees of up to KRW 10 billion and preferential guarantee terms
- Connections to investment, low-interest loans, export assistance, and overseas exhibitions
- Additional points for research-workforce programs and support for recruitment channels
- Preferential evaluation when applying for follow-up R&D
- A Ministerial commendation and inclusion in promotional content and a best-practice publication
These benefits are not automatic cash awards. Many are recommendations or opportunities to enter linked programs, each of which has separate eligibility and conditions. Benefits may also change depending on participating institutions.
Application Period and Method
Extension Announcement No. 2026-467 lists the application period as July 24 through August 14, 2026. The original closing time was 2:00 p.m. on July 24, but the end date was later extended. Confirm the final closing time on SMTECH before submitting.
- Create an account or sign in at SMTECH.
- Open the project application menu and select the SME R&D Outstanding Outcomes application.
- Complete the online form and upload all required documents.
- Click the final Submit button and verify that the status reads Submitted or Complete.
Documents to Prepare
- Outstanding Outcomes company application
- Achievement case description for the selected category
- Personal-information consent form
- Reputational-risk declaration
- Copy of the business registration certificate
- Financial statements for the past three years
- Objective evidence supporting every achievement claimed
Where applicable, include evidence of exports, investment, project-linked sales, patent indicators, production-cost savings, public sales, and awards. Companies requesting additional points for a recommendation from a designated organization should also submit the required recommendation form.
Restrictions and Important Notes
- A company may submit only one application and cannot enter several categories.
- The claimed achievement must have a demonstrable connection to the Ministry R&D project.
- The 150 companies selected for the Top 50 from 2023 through 2025 cannot apply in 2026.
- Ministerial commendations require compliance with government-award rules; a recent merit award may make an applicant ineligible.
- Saving the form is not the same as submitting it. Verify final submission status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an ongoing R&D project qualify?
Yes, in the Strategic Technology category. Other categories require completed projects, prior performance, or a valid Innovative Product designation.
Does selection provide KRW 150 million immediately?
No. Selection may provide a recommendation to a separate commercialization-support program offering up to KRW 150 million. The company must meet that program’s conditions.
Is a recommendation letter mandatory?
No. A recommendation from a designated organization may provide three additional points in the Commercialization or Strategic Technology category, but it is not a universal required document.
Application Tips
- Select the single category that best matches the company and write the case description around its scoring criteria.
- Attach evidence for each quantitative achievement and explain its connection to the R&D project.
- For Commercialization or Strategic Technology, check whether a designated-organization recommendation is available.
- Confirm the extended deadline and final submission status in SMTECH.
Official Sources
- Ministry of SMEs and Startups Program Announcements
- Original Announcement No. 2026-426
- SMTECH R&D Management System
- Information verified: July 27, 2026
This article provides general information. Application dates and detailed conditions may change. Confirm the latest Ministry announcement and SMTECH application page before submitting.