Introduction

NSTC Research-Entrepreneurship Program

     The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Research-Entrepreneurship Program (hereinafter referred to as the TGP Program) provides grants to applicant institutions to bridge the gap between academia, industry, and research organizations. It aims to propel R&D achievements that align with national industrial innovation policies toward commercialization and corporatization. To optimize the overall layout of national innovation and entrepreneurship resources, the Program orchestrates a seamless transition mechanism between the Ministry of Education, NSTC, Ministry of Economic Affairs, National Development Council, and Financial Supervisory Commission, thereby supporting sustainable industrial development and economic vitality.

     In January 2021, the NSTC integrated and launched the TGP Program, positioning it as the "First Relay" of the government's academic innovation and entrepreneurship framework. Drawing on the operational experiences of the "Value Creation Program" and the "Sprout Program," the TGP Program refines internal regulations for spinoffs within academic institutions, strengthens case scouting, and enhances early-stage incubation to cultivate potential startup ventures in a phased manner.

The Legacy of Our Foundations

     • The Sprout Program (Est. Nov 2011): Initiated by the Planning Department of the former Ministry of Science and Technology (now NSTC), this program focused on identifying early-stage original technologies with significant commercial potential. By balancing "technological advancement" with "business development," it supported teams in conducting market-oriented Proof of Concepts (PoC) and developing prototypes, ultimately launching startups with high investment appeal.

     • The Value Creation Program (Est. 2016): Established by the Executive Yuan's Industry-Academia-Research Linkage Meeting, this initiative aimed to strengthen R&D synergy to drive economic growth. By linking the energy of universities and research institutes, it established innovation-driven R&D centers to revitalize the industrial value chain and foster high-impact spinoffs.

Our Integrated Vision

     Combining the successful models of its predecessors, the TGP Program focuses on harnessing the R&D capabilities of academia and research institutions. By integrating the mentorship of professionals with international networks and entrepreneurial expertise, we ensure that industry-academia collaborative R&D outcomes are effectively implemented in industrial applications. Our mission is to establish a cross-disciplinary resource integration mechanism that leverages industry-led entrepreneurial capabilities, enhances commercial feasibility, and generates concrete industrial benefits.