To deepen Taiwan-U.S. industrial innovation and R&D Collaboration, the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) of Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), through a project backed by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), has launched the Taiwan-U.S. Industrial Innovation R&D Collaboration Platform. On November 6th, the project implementing organizations, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Northeastern University, and U.S.-based venture capital firm MTM Venture Partners, signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on Taiwan-U.S. Industrial Innovation R&D Collaboration. Through this platform, the two sides will launch parallel calls for proposals to encourage Taiwanese companies and U.S. startups to engage in critical technology R&D and application validation. The initiative aims to expand Taiwan-U.S. technology collaboration beyond academic research into industrial R&D and technology commercialization, while strengthening Taiwan-US industrial linkages and supply chain partnerships. A Industry Information Session was also held following the signing ceremony to provide Taiwanese companies with detailed information on the funding mechanisms, application procedures, and subsequent project support.

Director General Kuo Chao-Chung of the Department of Industrial Technology stated that the United States possesses leading R&D capabilities and a strong startup ecosystem in deep tech, while Taiwan offers comprehensive industrial clusters and competitive advantages in key component development, prototype fabrication, testing, and validation. By combining U.S. cutting-edge technologies with Taiwan's industrial manufacturing capabilities, the two sides can accelerate the validation and real-world application of emerging technologies, creating more opportunities for industrial collaboration. Through an U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) award, Northeastern University is soliciting project proposals from U.S. startups to work with partners in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, with funding expected to be awarded to a total of 16 projects. Taiwan has been the first to establish a concrete collaboration mechanism for its partners in the project, making it an important reference model as the collaboration expands to other partner economies.

Michelle Meng-Hsiung Kiang, Founder and Managing Partner of MTM Venture Partners and Co-Principal Investigator of the U.S. project, expressed her expectations for the Taiwan and US calls for proposals. She noted that the initiative will connect the innovation and R&D capabilities as well as industrial resources of both sides, promote the development of cutting-edge technologies and the commercialization of research outcomes, and foster substantive partnerships between Taiwanese and U.S. companies.

The Department of Industrial Technology explained that the MOEA's Taiwan-U.S. Industrial Innovation R&D Collaboration Platform, on the Taiwan side, is established under the framework of the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Taiwan and the United States.

Building on the achievements of previous collaborations between Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), the Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration (SMESA), and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) in areas such as semiconductor research and talent development, the platform further extends this cooperation into industrial technology R&D. Through the parallel calls for proposals, the two sides will help Taiwanese companies collaborate with U.S. deep-tech startups to develop new technologies and validate their application feasibility. This will ensure that R&D outcomes better address industrial needs and accelerate technology deployment and commercialization.

The Department of Industrial Technology has long been committed to promoting international industrial R&D cooperation and establishing bilateral and multilateral collaboration mechanisms. These efforts aim to help Taiwanese companies connect with international partners, engage in critical technology development and market validation, and expand into global markets.

Representatives from several U.S. state government offices in Taiwan, including the State of Washington Taiwan Office, the Arizona-Taiwan Trade and Investment Office, the West Virginia Taiwan Office, the State of Idaho-Asia Trade Office, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Trade & Investment Office in Taiwan, were invited to attend the signing ceremony and public briefing. Representatives from industry associations, research institutions, and nearly 30 companies also participated in the event.

The Taiwan call for proposals will be implemented by ITRI, and the U.S. call by Northeastern University and MTM Venture Partners. The first round of applications for Taiwanese applicants will be open from November 17, 2026, to March 17, 2027. Implementation of the selected projects is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2027, with a maximum project duration of 18 months. The Taiwan call will focus on seven key technology areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biotechnology, Semiconductors and Microelectronics, Advanced Materials, Photonics and Quantum Technologies, Clean Energy Technologies and Advanced Manufacturing.

Taiwanese companies may apply through the MOEA's A+ Industrial Innovation R&D Program (International R&D Collaboration). Taiwan-side funding may cover up to 50% of the total R&D project budget, while eligible U.S. startups may receive subawards of up to US$250,000 per project.

For application information and guidelines for Taiwanese applicants, please refer to subsequent announcements on the Department of Industrial Technology website: https://service.moea.gov.tw/EE514/tw/aiip/
Interested companies are encouraged to submit their applications within the designated application period to take advantage of this opportunity.