Spanish-Japanese Bilateral Programme of Technological Cooperation
The Spanish-Japanese Bilateral Technological Cooperation Program (JSIP-Japan-Spain Innovation Program) aims to promote business technological cooperation between entities from Spain and Japan in technological development, innovation and technology transfer projects with the aim of generating economic benefits for Spain and Japan and boosting the competitiveness of their companies.
This Program requieres the participation of at least two entities from both countries that devise and lead the development of a joint project in any technical area. On the Spanish side, this must be at least one company.
How to participate in the program?
From the national management agencies involved, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in Japan, and the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), in Spain, the processing of aid can be articulated in different ways. Each year, the CDTI Innovation reports on the modality used.
A) Call open throughout the year or specific calls
The Spanish company that has a project idea presents in the CDTI Innovation a description of a proposal using the following template: (JSIP Form of Collaborative Project Idea). This information is focused on the Spanish participation in the project and must reflect the most outstanding technical characteristics and commercial viability of the project, in addition to the general information related to the company. The document serves as a basis to be able to give the company a first opinion on the project proposal and suggest, where appropriate, modifications or changes of approach that improve the project.
Once the project is defined among all participants, the JSIP PROGRAM FORM (or JSIP APPLICATION FORM), which must be agreed between all parties, must be presented both to CDTI Innovation in Spain and NEDO in Japan. This document should emphasize the project as a whole, the activities of the participants and the importance of it for all partners. A draft of the Project Consortium’s Partnership Agreement or a copy of the signed version of that agreement must be attached to that form.
Spanish participants will have to register to CDTI the international Bilateral application through the electronic application system, submitting an application for the R&D project with International Technological Cooperation (PCTI)/Bilateral Projects with Japan.
Although there is more than one Spanish entity in the project, only one international application will be registered by the entity that is responsible for representing the consortium before the CDTI Innovation.
The Spanish applicant must attach the following documentation:
- Application Form: This form, written in English, should emphasize the project as a whole, the activities of the participants and the importance of it for all partners. It must be agreed, completed and signed by all the parties of the international consortium.
- Draft or copy of the signed version of the Consortium Partnership Agreement: Document in English that guarantees the execution of the project and describes the agreed conditions of exploitation of the results of the project. In case a draft is presented, a copy of the signed version by the legal representatives of all participating entities must be submitted before the approval of the international seal.
Each country, through its managing bodies, CDTI and NEDO, are responsible for the evaluation and subsequent certification of approved projects with an international seal.
The international seal offers preferential financing to Spanish companies in the form of soft loans covering up to 85% of the total budget with a non-refundable tranche of up to 30%. There may be additional financing instruments available.
These conditions are subject to variations that can be consulted on the main page of the CDTI Innovation website.
Spanish companies can benefit from this privileged status as international cooperation projects including the case of those projects in which their Japanese partners fail to obtain grants from NEDO, but the companies can secure aid from other public bodies or self-funded.
Japanese partners may consider financing their share of the project through the regular calls that NEDO offers to Japanese entities under the category “Demonstration Project".
B) Through other programs, such as:
In cases where the call for aid is articulated through another programme, for example Eureka Globalstars, the specific procedure for participation should be consulted.
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Horizon Europe:
Japan and the European Commission have successfully concluded negotiations on Japan’s association to Horizon Europe, starting from January 2026. This agreement specifically targets Pillar II of Horizon Europe, tackling industrial leadership and societal challenges, including cluster 1 to 6. Japan as an associated country can therefore, participate, manage and lead consortia in any of these clusters in equal terms as a Spanish entity.
JSIP Seal Application
The evaluation process will begin once all the complete documentation has been submitted.
If the project proposal is submitted to a specific call for proposals with a deadline for the application and submission of documents, the applicant must meet the scheduled dates.
In the case of those projects whose Japanese partners carry out projects with their own funds, an open window is available for the reception of proposals.
Calls for proposals
Open
The grants offered by NEDO are, generally, grants for a percentage of the project budget that, depending on the call, can vary from 50% to 100%. The maximum amount of grant to a project may also vary in each call for proposals. The links that appear in the list provided may be of interest to your Japanese partner.
Closed
To facilitate the search for partners, the B2match page has been created for the call for Globalstars with Japan.
https://b2match.com/e/eureka-globalstars-japan
- Eureka Globalstars with Japan 2020
Other management documents
If you have a Japanese partner to carry out the project, you can send the following form to the CDTI (japon@cdti.es) prior to the submission of the final documents agreed with your Japanese partner:
To request the search for a possible partner you can fill in the following form and send it to japon@cdti.es:
More information:
In the "Services" section of this same website you will find information identified by the office of the CDTI Innovation in Japan, which may be interesting for you, including a section on future technological events.
We recommend you to sign up for the distribution lists related to Japan, to stay informed, in the following link.
External Technological Action
Bilateral Programmes