The IT adoption subsidy is renamed the "Digital and AI Adoption Subsidy": next deadline is October 30The government helps pay for computer software and handy AI
This subsidy supports the adoption of IT tools, including AI, to raise labor productivity at small and medium-sized enterprises and small business operators. Under the FY2025 (Reiwa 7) supplementary budget program, the former "IT adoption subsidy" (IT導入補助金) was renamed. According to the project schedule, the latest confirmed deadline for the regular category and others is October 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m., with grant decisions planned for December 10.
- March 10, 2026Guidelines published
- March 30, 2026Applications open
- October 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m.Latest deadline in the project schedule
- December 10, 2026 (planned)Grant decision date
- May 31, 2027, 5:00 p.m. (planned)Deadline for the implementation period and performance report
Key points
- The call-for-applications guidelines were published on March 10, 2026, and applications opened on March 30.
- Application categories: regular category, invoice category (invoice-compliance type and electronic-transaction type), security measures promotion category, and multi-party collaboration digitalization and AI adoption category.
- The latest deadline in the project schedule is Friday, October 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m.; the grant decision date is Thursday, December 10, 2026 (planned).
- The project implementation period runs from the grant decision to May 31, 2027, 5:00 p.m. (planned), and the deadline for the project performance report is the same day (planned).
- A GBizID (GビズID) is required to apply for the grant.
What to do in practice
- Search the secretariat's site to see whether the IT tool you want is a registered tool, and obtain a GBizID.
- Prepare your grant application so you can meet the October 30, 5:00 p.m. deadline.
There is a program where the government pays part of the cost when a company starts using software or AI that makes work easier. It used to be called the "IT adoption subsidy" (IT導入補助金), but the name changed because AI was added.
Points
- The old name was "IT adoption subsidy". Now it is the "Digital and AI Adoption Subsidy".
- It covers software and services that help work get done efficiently.
- The deadline for the next application is 5:00 p.m. on October 30.
What the words mean
- IT tool
- Software or services for work that you use on a computer or smartphone
- GBizID
- A company login ID used for government procedures done online
- Small and Medium Enterprise Agency: Small and Medium Enterprise Agency: Call-for-applications guidelines for the Digital and AI Adoption Subsidy 2026 are now public
- Small and Medium Enterprise Agency: Digital and AI Adoption Subsidy 2026: Project schedule
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