Where and how can you apply for the Patent Application Support Program? Overview of Government Support Programs

Pine IP Firm

January 28, 2025

For domestic entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises, prospective entrepreneurs, and individuals with innovative ideas, Patent Applicationis one of the core strategies for securing business competitiveness. However, from drafting patent specifications to filing fees and additional applications for overseas expansion, it inevitably requires considerable time and expense. Fortunately, the government and related organizations are operating Patent Application Support ProjectBy making good use of these, you can reduce your financial burden and receive more specialized consulting. In this column, I will introduce key summaries of representative patent application support programs.

Summary of Major Patent Application Support Projects

Project Name	Eligibility	Support Limit	Support Details (Key Items)	How to Apply
1. IP Didimdol Program	prospective entrepreneur	Patent application fee within 1,600,000 KRW	Idea consulting, education, 3D design, startup support	Accepted year-round (apply after visiting the regional center or consultation)
2. IP Narae Program	Startups within 7 years of business history Conversion startups within 5 years	Total project cost: 25 million KRW (Government 70%, Corporation 30%)	IP Technology and Management Strategy Convergence Consulting	Accepted twice a year (February, June) pms.ripc.org Online Application
3. Global IP Star Companies	Exporting (Planned) Small and Medium Enterprises	Overseas IP application fees over three years, Support for design and brand development	Overseas filing, OA support, Patent, Design, Brand Strategy, and Promotion	After the integrated announcement for January~February Document Screening, On-site Presentation Review
4. Intellectual Property-Related R&D (Patent-based R&D)	Small and medium-sized enterprises, Universities and Public Research Institutions	Differences by task type (Performed in 2~6 months)	Customized Patent Strategy R&D-oriented design Strategies such as avoidance design	Korea Patent Strategy Development Institute First and Second Half Announcements
5. Support for Standard Patent Creation	Companies and Organizations Promoting International Standardization (Small and medium-sized enterprises, universities, research institutes)	By Task Performed at 9~11 months	Analysis of standard documents and patents, Standard Patent Securing Strategy	After the announcement at the beginning of the year Selected through evaluation
6. Government R&D Creation and Utilization of Excellent Patents	Universities and Public Research Institutions	Basic Diagnosis & In-depth Consulting Customized Support	IP Management Diagnosis, Establishing mid- to long-term strategies, Industry-Academia-Research Exchange	Beginning ~ End of the year Sequential Progress by Procedure
7. Public R&D Patent Technology Trend Survey	Public R&D Project Responsible Institutions	2,500,000~30,000,000 KRW per project (50% of analysis costs supported)	Patent and Paper Trend Analysis, Technical Planning and Evaluation	Throughout the year (Official Request Submission)
8. Living Invention Korea	Female resident in South Korea (No age limit)	Prototype production costs, etc. Step-by-step support	Patent application, design, Mentoring, promotional videos, awards	Once a year (January~March) Contest Format
9. Intellectual Property Data gift system	Prospective entrepreneurs, Small business within 7 years of establishment	Startup type: 1 year free Growth type: 4 years free	Bulk Data, Open API Free provision	Ongoing Applications Available Quarterly review
10. Emergency Support for Intellectual Property (IP Direct Support)	Small and Medium Enterprises	By Task Application fees, consulting fees, etc.	On-site consultation, Conflict Prevention, Domestic and International Application and Design Development	After quarterly announcements Deliberative Decision
11. Intellectual Property Services Growth Support	Utilizing IP Information Small and Venture Companies Pursuing New Businesses	Government 70% 30% private matching	Product and service development, Market research, marketing, Free DB Provided	After the announcement at the beginning of the year Selection of Implementing Institution Evaluation
12. Designation of Industrial Property Inspection Agencies	Private IP Research and Analysis Service Agency	After designation Tax Credit Benefits Linked	Industrial Property Information Investigation and Analysis Quality Certification	Annual designation announcement, Document review + on-site inspection
13. Support for Small Business IP Creation	Small business owners, Traditional markets, etc.	Up to 600,000 KRW support for trademark applications, IP Creation Package 17.6 million KRW	Brand and design development, Joint Brand in Alley Commercial Districts Application fee support	Year-round (After consultation with the regional center)

1. IP Didimdol Program

Project Overview	Customized consulting that patents a prospective entrepreneur's idea and connects it to startup
Eligibility	Possessing creative ideas prospective entrepreneur
Support limit	Patent application fee within 1,600,000 KRW (80% government subsidy, 20% personal contribution)
Support Details	Basic Idea Consultation and Advancement IP-based startup education Patent Applications and Registrations 3D Printed Model Design (if needed) Startup consulting and follow-up support
How to Apply	Applications accepted year-round (first-come, first-served); apply after visiting the Regional Intellectual Property Center (1661-1900) or by phone for consultation

2. IP Narae Program

Project Overview	Strengthening IP management capabilities for companies within 7 years of founding and those within 5 years of transformation startups
Eligibility	Small and medium-sized enterprises with technology that have been established within 7 years or within 5 years after conversion
Support limit	Total project cost: 25 million KRW (70% government + 30% corporate contribution)
Support Details	IP Technology Strategy: Identifying promising technologies, preventing disputes, securing strong patents IP Management Strategy: IP asset construction, brand/design management strategy Delivering results after customized consulting for companies
How to Apply	Accepted twice a year (February, June), pms.ripc.org Online Application

3. Fostering Global IP Star Companies

Project Overview	Discovering promising export SMEs and nurturing them into global strong SMEs through comprehensive intellectual property support over three years
Eligibility	Exporting (Planned) Small and Medium Enterprises
Support Details	Support for overseas patent, trademark, and design application fees, OA response, registration fees Support for overseas expansion patent, design, brand strategy, and promotion IP Management Diagnosis & Consulting
How to Apply	Selection is made through document screening and on-site/presentation review after announcement every January~February

4. Strategic support for intellectual property-linked R&D (patent R&D)

Project Overview	Supporting SMEs, mid-sized enterprises, universities, and public institutions to efficiently conduct R&D using patent big data
How to Support	Dedicated team (PM + analysis specialist institutions) formed, IP-customized and in-depth consulting
Support Details	Core Patent Response Strategy Avoidance Design, Disabling/Licensing Strategies Setting IP creation strategies and R&D directions
How to Apply	Check announcements from the Korea Patent Strategy Development Institute at the beginning of the year and throughout the year (first and second half)

5. Support for Standard Patent Creation

Project Overview	Strategic support for companies and institutions aiming for international standardization to secure high value-added standard patents
Eligibility	Small and medium-sized enterprises, universities, and research institutions currently in or planning international standardization
Support Details	Analysis of Standard Documents and Competitor Patents Core Patent Response Strategy Amendment and Application Strategies to Secure Standard Patents
How to Apply	Evaluation conducted after early announcement

6. Support for the creation and utilization of government R&D excellent patents

Project Overview	Strengthening Capabilities for Creating and Utilizing Excellent Patents through Intellectual Property Management Diagnosis and In-depth Consulting at Universities and Public Institutions
Eligibility	Public research institutions such as universities and government-funded research institutes as defined in Article 3, Paragraph 4 of the Framework Act on Intellectual Property
Support Details	Basic Diagnosis (Stage 1): Evaluation of IP Management Level In-depth Consulting (Stage 2): Establishing Customized IP Creation and Utilization Strategies Building a Foundation for Industry-Academia-Research Exchange
How to Apply	Implementation by Institution After Announcement at the Start of the Year

7. Public R&D Patent Technology Trend Survey

Project Overview	Preliminary assessment of the validity and redundant investment of government R&D projects through patent trend analysis
Eligibility	All public R&D projects (including research institutes)
Support Details	Planned and Evaluation Patent Trend Survey 50% of the cost per project (up to 30 million KRW)
How to Apply	Accepted year-round (official document accepted), closes when budget is exhausted

8. Living Invention Korea

Project Overview	Discovering ideas for women's everyday inventions, patent applications, prototype production, mentoring, and marketing support
Eligibility	Women residing in South Korea (Section 1: Not filed, Section 2: Already filed)
Support Details	Idea research and development, application, design, and prototype production Government Award Linkage (Presidential Award, etc.) Startup and Sales Consulting
How to Apply	Contest format held once a year (January~March), Korean Women Inventors Association Please refer to the website

9. Intellectual Property Data Gift System

Project Overview	Patent data (Bulk Data, Open API) provided free of charge to IP-based product development companies (including prospective startups)
Eligibility	Prospective entrepreneurs (startup type, 1 year), small businesses within 7 years of establishment (growth-type, up to 4 years)
Support Details	Free intellectual property data support (1~5 years), pilot service verification, and market launch linkage
How to Apply	Accepted regularly, with quarterly review committee meetings

10. Intellectual Property Emergency Support (IP Direct Support)

Project Overview	Immediate consultation and resolution of various IP challenges faced by SMEs on the ground
Eligibility	Small and Medium Enterprises (Article 2 of the Framework Act on Small and Medium Enterprises)
Support Details	On-site Consulting (Free) Support for domestic and overseas application fees Brand, Design Development
How to Apply	Quarterly announcements, visit the Regional Intellectual Property Center (1661-1900) or submit online

11. Support for Growth of Intellectual Property Services

Project Overview	Consulting and R&D funding support for small and venture companies developing new services and products based on IP information
Eligibility	Small and venture companies developing products and services using IP information
Support Scale	70% of total project cost matched to the government and 30% to the private sector
Support Details	Market-Tailored IP Information Service Development Strategy Pilot Service Implementation and Initial Market Support Free DB support, marketing, overseas procurement market entry consulting
How to Apply	Assignment selection and execution after announcement at the beginning of the year

12. Designation of Industrial Property Inspection Agencies

Concept	Specialized institution designated by the Korean Intellectual Property Office for 'Industrial Property Information Investigation and Analysis' (supporting companies and research institutes in establishing R&D and commercialization strategies)
Effect	Revitalizing the Private IP Service Market Companies using diagnostic institutions can receive tax credits for investigation and analysis costs.
Designation Procedure	Annual Designation Announcement Document review and on-site inspection If qualified, a 'Industrial Property Inspection Agency' designation certificate will be issued

13. Support for Small Business IP Creation

Project Overview	Comprehensive support for small business owners in securing IP such as patents, trademarks, designs, and joint brand development
Eligibility	Small business owners under Article 2 of the Framework Act on Small Enterprises (including traditional market merchants)
Support limit	Trademark application fee up to 600,000 KRW (60% government, 40% private) Comprehensive IP Creation Package Up to 17.6 million KRW
Support Details	Brand and Design Development Joint Brand Development for Traditional Markets and Alley Commercial Districts Recipe patents and application fee support
How to Apply	Available year-round, conducted after consultation at the Regional Intellectual Property Center (1661-1900)

Choosing the Patent Application Support Program That Suits You Is the Key!

Government support programs are diverse, ranging from protecting startup ideas to global IP strategies for SMEs, securing international standard patents, and protecting small business brands. Since each project has different eligibility, procedures, and subsidy ratios, it is most important to select the appropriate support program that matches your project stage and required capabilities.

Filing a patent is not just about 'securing rights,' Technological CompetitivenessRaise it Business ExpansionIt is an important investment that lays the groundwork. However, without expertise and financial support, trial and error are inevitable. Introduced above Patent Application Support Projectand consult with relevant organizations such as the Intellectual Property Center, the Korea Invention Promotion Association, or the Korean Intellectual Property Office to receive effective support.

Patents themselves are the core of business competitiveness and an important asset that determines future value. However, expertise is essential for the complex and demanding application procedures, the burden of costs, and successful rights acquisition. Pine IP Firm is a reliable partner in helping ease these difficulties and helping your valuable ideas lead to solid patent rights.

By making full use of government support programs, patent applications and registrations can be carried out more smoothly. However, it inevitably leads to deep concerns about when, how, and what procedures to apply for support programs. If you visit Pine IP Firm, we will assist you throughout the entire process, from idea verification to application statement preparation, dispute prevention, and follow-up management.

We hope that your precious ideas will be completed through patents and create even greater value, so please feel free to contact us anytime if you have any questions. Pine IP Firm is always open to ensure your successful rights acquisition.