Deep Tech Passport
An NSF-funded pilot program: Funding for U.S. startups to catalyze partnerships in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore. The pilot is administered by Northeastern University and managed by MTM Venture Partners.
Applications open mid November 2026
per subaward to the US startup
startups funded in one cohort
months per partnership project
partner economies: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore
Why the Program
The resources you need to scale often sit outside the US
Fabs and process capability
Specialized tools and process know-how for semiconductors, photonics, and materials.
Pilot lines and contract manufacturing
A path from lab-scale prototypes to pilot production volumes.
First customers
Industrial buyers who can trial, qualify, and adopt your technology.
Supply chains and components
Suppliers and integrators that already serve global markets.
The program funds the partnership project that gets your technology in front of those resources. It builds on NSF-supported workshops connecting US startups with partners in Taiwan (2024), Singapore (2025), and Korea and Japan (2026).
How the Funding Works
Funding goes directly to the U.S. startup
The program is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation's Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP). Awards are made as subawards through Northeastern University, and the funding goes to the U.S. startup.
United States
U.S. National Science Foundation
Partner-country agency
possible support for partner
Northeastern University
administers the subaward
Your startup
$250K, paid on milestones
Partner organization
facilities, staff, customers
What You Can Do
Build with your partner over 18 months
Develop & test on partner facilities
Labs, equipment, process capabilities
e.g., Process trials on a partner institute's tools
Pilot manufacturing & scale-up
From lab scale to pilot production
e.g., A pilot run with a contract manufacturer
Validate with partner customers
Pilots, field trials, demos
e.g., A field trial with a prospective industrial buyer
Joint R&D
Complementary capabilities, shared results
e.g., Co-developing a module with a partner's technology
Are You a Fit?
Who the program is for
- U.S.-based, hardware-intensive deep tech
- Technical feasibility shown (prototype or early data), not yet at mass production
- A partner in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, or Singapore: lab, institute, company, incubator, or agency
- No limits on company age, funding, or team size
- No prior NSF funding required
Priority Areas
No Partner Yet?
Start the conversation now; the letter takes time
Your existing network
Customers, suppliers, investors, and collaborators already active in the region.
Research institutes and universities
Many run pilot lines and test facilities open to outside companies.
Government and trade agencies
Investment and startup agencies in each economy can make introductions.
Our workshop network
Organizations that took part in our Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, and Japan workshops.
Tell us what you need. Email a short note on your technology and the kind of partner you are looking for, to [email protected]. Where we can, we will suggest introductions from our workshop network.
Partner Letter
What makes a strong partner letter
- Who the partner is and its role in the project
- Specific resources committed: facilities, staff time, materials, customer access
- How the work ties to milestones over the 18 months
- Signed by someone who can commit the organization
Strongly encouraged with the pre-proposal; required with the full proposal.
How to Apply
Three steps from pre-proposal to award
- 01Q4 2026
Pre-proposal
3 pages; partner letter strongly encouraged.
- 02Q1 2027
Full proposal
10 pages; partner commitment letter required.
- 03Q2 2027
Award & kick-off
16 teams funded; Bay Area in-person kick-off.
Learn More
Get the details
Webinar
Join one of our info-session webinars to learn about the program and the application process, and to ask the organizers your questions.
Call for Proposal
Read the Call for Proposal for the full picture of how the funding program works.
Have a Question?
If you can't find the answer in the Call for Proposal or the FAQ, send us your question and we'll get back to you.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does a foreign government have to fund my project?
No. The funding comes from an NSF award to Northeastern University, which makes the subaward to your company. Support from partner-country agencies may be possible and would be additional.
Who runs the program?
Northeastern University administers and MTM Venture Partners manages the pilot, with funding from NSF.
Do I need to have attended a workshop?
No.
I do not have a partner yet. Can I still apply?
A committed partner is required only at the full proposal stage. The full proposal also needs a letter of support or letter of intent, so start the conversation early. If you are still looking, see For Partners, or write to us for more information.