I. Objectives

To align with the policy address of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Science and Technology Development Fund (hereinafter referred to as the “FDCT”) has launched the Funding Scheme for Enterprise Innovation and R&D (hereinafter referred to as the “Scheme”) in accordance with the relevant provisions of the current Public Financial Aid System of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Statutes of the Fund for the Development of Science and Technology, and the Funding Regulations of the Science and Technology Development Fund. The Scheme aims to enhance innovation and R&D in Macao enterprises, create a research-friendly environment, and inspire enterprises to increase their R&D investment through providing financial support, so as to further promote the industry-university-research partnership, facilitate the transformation of scientific research achievements, cultivate emerging industries, and promote the appropriate diversified development of related industries in Macao.

II. Types of Application

Projects are divided into three types base on applied amount:
1. Type A: not exceeding MOP 1,00,000;
2. Type B: exceeding MOP 1,000,000, but not exceeding MOP 3,000,000;
3. Type C: exceeding MOP 3,000,000, but not exceeding MOP 5,000,000.

III. Target Group and Eligibility for Application

1. Commercial entrepreneurs or commercial enterprises that fulfill the following conditions are eligible to submit application:
    1.1 Enterprises registered in the Macao SAR for one year or more.
    1.2 Enterprises not in arrears with tax and social security contributions (if any) in the Macao SAR.
2. For Type A, the applying entity shall also fulfill the following conditions:
    2.1 No less than three full-time employees.
    2.2 In case of full-time employees less than three, the applying entity shall be recommended by a nation-level makerspace established in Macao.
3. For Types B or C, the applying entity shall also fulfill the following conditions:
    3.1 No less than five full-time employees;
    3.2 The applying entity shall be an “enterprise engaged in scientific and technological innovation activities” accredited by the “Scientific and Technological Innovation Commercial Enterprise Accreditation Committee” according to law as stipulated in Article 6 of Law No. 1/2021 – Tax Preference System for Enterprises Engaged in Scientific and Technological Innovation Activities, or certified under the Technology Enterprises Certification Program by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT).

​IV. Type and Scope of Funding

1. The funding type of the Scheme is non-reimbursable. The applying entity shall invest self-owned R&D funds in a supporting manner, and the amount of investment shall not be less than the amount funded by FDCT.
2. Funding scope: The proposed project shall be in line with the purpose of FDCT and the objectives of the Scheme.
3. Funding Priorities:
    3.1 For Types B and C, priority goes to the research projects that align with the Second Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2021-2025), the Development Plan for Appropriate Economic Diversification of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2024-2028), the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2024, and related planning and programs of Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, etc., especially those that can promote scientific research and industrial development in the fields such as Chinese medicine, integrated circuits, electronic components, Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence, new energy, space science, advanced materials and biomedicine.
    3.2 Enterprises that have been certified under the Technology Enterprises Certification Program by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT).

V. Funding Duration

The Scheme has a maximum funding duration of three years.

VI. Requirements for Project Findings

1. The expected project findings shall include software, hardware (prototype, mock-up), technical standards, formulas, new materials, new technologies, etc., and specify the economic or social benefits produced after the utilization of the project.
2. Upon project conclusion, the expected TRL of the Type A projects shall aim to reach TRL 4 or above, the expected TRL of the Type B projects shall be TRL 5 or above, and the expected TRL of the Type C projects shall be TRL 6 or above.

VII. Application procedure

The application shall be made via the Online Funding Application System of the FDCT.
For the application and use of the online funding application system, please refer to the Scientific Research Funding.
1. Applying entities having electronic signatures shall submit the application documents through the Online Application System of FDCT;
2. In addition to submitting the application documents through the Online Application System of FDCT, applying entities not having electronic signatures shall download the application documents and submit them to FDCT after affixing signatures and seals on or before the deadline.
 

VIII. Assessment Methods and Criteria

1. Before accepting an application, the Administrative Committee of FDCT shall invite five to seven advisors from the list of project advisors to form the Project Advisory Committee.
2. The application documents that may enter the review process will be submitted to the Project Advisory Committee formed by FDCT for review according to the review elements and criteria in the following paragraph.
3. Key considerations will be given to the followings:
    1)  Assessment of technologies and research findings, including: economic or social benefits, technical level, and real-life application.
    2)  Competence of the applying entity, including: R&D team and research basis, industry-university-research partnership, qualifications and quantity of team members, and research conditions.
    3)  Project planning, including: assessment of work plan, soundness of budget, and project feasibility.
4. FDCT may conduct site inspection to verify the research conditions of the applying entity, interview with the project team and partners (if any) as necessary.