A lead organization such as a large company or public institution contributes funds and the government adds part of the build cost. The company share is usually the lowest, but not everyone can apply, so check the route first.
Figures below follow the 2026 call. They change by year, so check that year's call before applying.
Eligibility and conditions of the program
Processes and metrics to improve
Scope · cost · schedule
Follow the procedure in the call
Usually you do not apply directly on the government portal; you first need to be selected in a lead organization's recruitment of participating companies. Check the recruitment notices of the lead organizations you are interested in.
A type in which the government funds part of the build cost when a lead organization builds smart factories together with SMEs and mid-sized firms. Under the 2026 call, government support is up to 30% of the build cost, and the AI track is up to 50%.
The key point is that the cost is split three ways: the lead organization's contribution, the government grant and the adopting company's share. How much the lead organization contributes changes the company share a great deal, so conditions differ by lead organization even within the win-win type.
Lead organizations mostly recruit from their own supply chain or suppliers. Some run open calls that companies without a business relationship can apply to, so their recruitment notices are worth checking.
As of the 2026 call.
| Item | 2026 call |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Korean SMEs and mid-sized companies |
| Government support ratio | Up to 30% of the build cost (AI track up to 50%) |
| Structure | A lead organization and partner institutions form a consortium for the build |
| Application route | Lead organization's recruitment → application on the programme portal |
| Applications | Online via the smart factory programme portal |
The overall flow is the same whatever the type.
Start with the current year's call: the funding cap, cost-share ratio, eligibility and application window. Requirements differ by type, so read the call for that specific type rather than the combined announcement.
Decide what to build and prepare the business plan with your supplier. Survey equipment communication and the signals you can collect at this stage, or the plan will not be realistic.
Applications go through the smart factory programme portal. The adopting company is the applicant; for consortium types, both the company's and the supplier's details are required.
After evaluation and selection you sign an agreement and start the build. Changes outside the agreed scope need a separate procedure, so it is better to fix the scope at the planning stage.
The build is inspected and project costs are settled. Improvements and upgrades needed in operation continue in later stages.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Apply at | Smart factory programme portal |
| Operator | Smart Manufacturing Innovation Agency 044-300-0958 |
| General enquiries | SME integrated call center 1357 |
With the information below, writing the plan goes faster.
Contribution size, target industries and scope limits all vary by lead organization. That is why the win-win type cannot be summed up in a single number such as "a 30% company share".
Lead organizations recruit separately from the integrated government call. If a lead organization interests you, check its own notices so you do not miss the window.
The right program depends on your situation.
The basic type: companies apply directly, with no lead organization. You set the build scope yourself, so the quality of the business plan largely decides selection and results.…
Gyeonggi ProvinceA regional program funded by Gyeonggi Province and its cities and counties. Only manufacturers with a site in Gyeonggi are eligible; the call usually opens early in the year and selection ends in the first half.…
Manufacturing AIIt is an AI program, but what really decides the outcome is data. Without accumulated process data, no AI has anything to learn from, which is why data collection and validation is a separate stage…
Smart ServiceIf smart factories cover manufacturing processes, Smart Service covers service delivery. Adopting companies and suppliers apply together as a consortium.…
The figures above are as of the 2026 calls and change every year. Always check the original call for the year in question for funding caps, cost-share ratios, schedules and eligibility.
Source: Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Agency, "2026 Integrated Call for Smart Manufacturing Innovation Support Programs", Bizinfo (bizinfo.go.kr). Checked 30 August 2026.
What companies most often check at the review stage.
It depends on the lead organization. Some take only their own suppliers; others recruit openly. Start by checking eligibility in the recruitment notice of the lead organization you are interested in.
The company share is lower. In exchange you follow the scope and schedule set by the lead organization, so there is less freedom. If freedom matters more, the government type may suit you.
It is a track for building AI-based smart factories, with a higher government support ratio of up to 50% under the 2026 call. AI needs data first, though, so also check the manufacturing AI conditions.
It depends on the lead organization's contribution. The company pays the total build cost minus the government grant and the lead organization's contribution, and the ratio is stated in the lead organization's recruitment notice.
Scope is usually adjusted within the range the lead organization sets. Check at the recruitment stage whether its scope limits suit your site.
Terms and procedures on this page follow the public standards and official sources below. Figures are as of each source's publication date.
| Topic | Large–small win-win smart factory |
|---|---|
| Section | Smart factory grants |
| Standards applied | KBIZ smart factory support results (Industry Daily, 7 August 2025) · Smart Manufacturing Innovation Agency, smart factory programme portal (smart-factory.kr) |
| Public record | GS certification grade 1 of 2 grades · 7 patents registered |
| Reviewed by | IYULAB engineering team |
| Last updated |
Public record: GS certification, grade 1 of 2 grades (U-CMMS 3.0, Telecommunications Technology Association) · 7 patents registered (10-2141840, 10-2141847, 10-2147747, 10-2354546, 10-2408497, 10-2408501, 10-2698341; searchable by number on KIPRIS) · Certifications and patentsReviewed by the IYULAB engineering team · Last updated:
Once we see your equipment and the scope you want to build, it becomes clear which program fits.
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