2026 Small Manufacturer Clean Manufacturing Environment Improvement Program 3rd Recruitment Round: Eligibility for Manufacturers With Fewer Than 10 Employees and Extended October 3
The application deadline for the 3rd recruitment round of the 2026 Small Manufacturer Clean Manufacturing Environment Improvement Program has been extended to October 30. Manufacturing businesses with fewer than 10 regular employees may be eligible to apply. However, applicants must meet not only the employee-count requirement but also the principal industry classification and small manufacturer eligibility requirements.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced the extension of the 3rd recruitment round on 2026-10-20. Businesses that did not apply during the original recruitment period should review the extended application period and eligibility requirements.
Can a Business Apply if It Has Fewer Than 10 Employees?
Small businesses with fewer than 10 regular employees whose principal business activity is manufacturing may qualify to apply.
The extension notice for the 2026 3rd recruitment round specifies the following two basic requirements.
Primarily operate a manufacturing business classified under codes C10~C34 in the middle-level categories of the Korean Standard Industrial Classification
Qualify as a small business with fewer than 10 regular employees
Both conditions must be satisfied, so having a small workforce alone does not automatically establish eligibility.
In particular, fewer than 10 employees means that 10 employees are not included. A business with 9 employees and one with 10 employees are treated differently under the workforce-size requirement.
However, the number of regular employees used in the actual eligibility review may differ from the number of people physically working at the site. Applicants should therefore check the calculation rules specified in the official notice.
Even if manufacturing is listed on the business registration certificate, it is advisable to verify that the company's actual principal business activity and industry classification meet the application requirements.
Deadline Extended From October 20 to 30
The 3rd recruitment round of the 2026 Small Manufacturer Clean Manufacturing Environment Improvement Program was originally scheduled to close on October 20. Under the extension notice, the application deadline has been changed to October 30.
| Category | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Original application opening date | 2026-10-06 |
| Previous deadline | 2026-10-20 |
| Extended deadline | 2026-10-30 |
| Application method | Online application through Small Business 24 |
Compared with the previous deadline, the application period has effectively been extended by 10 calendar days.
As of 2026-10-22, 8 days remain until the extended deadline. Applicants should verify whether submissions are still being accepted and confirm the exact closing time in the extension notice and online application system.
What Types of Workplace Improvements Are Supported?
This program supports improvements to industrial safety conditions in small manufacturing workplaces.
Support is divided into two categories: General Safety Environment and Safety Environment for High-Risk Industries. Applicants must select one of these categories.
The support described in the official notice includes replacing, repairing, or upgrading existing equipment for industrial accident prevention, installing safety equipment including smart safety devices, and handling industrial waste.
Therefore, even when planning to improve workplace facilities, applicants should verify whether the proposed construction work or equipment falls within the eligible scope of support.
Because the general category and high-risk industry category are separate, businesses should not assume that operating in manufacturing automatically qualifies them for the high-risk industry category.
Before preparing a project budget, applicants should review the detailed project plan and eligibility standards attached to the extension notice to confirm the available funding, required applicant contribution, and specific eligible expenses.
How to Apply Through Small Business 24
Applications for the 3rd recruitment round of the 2026 Small Manufacturer Clean Manufacturing Environment Improvement Program must be submitted online through Small Business 24.
Applicants can prepare and submit their applications by following these steps.
1. Access Small Business 24 and verify the business owner's account and business registration information.
2. Find the 3rd recruitment announcement for the Small Manufacturer Clean Manufacturing Environment Improvement Program in the support program application menu.
3. Review the eligibility requirements and required documents listed in the extension notice.
4. Identify the safety environment improvements needed at the workplace.
5. Enter the required information, upload the necessary documents, and submit the application.
6. Confirm that the application has been successfully submitted.
Completing an application form is not the same as finalizing its submission. Before submitting, applicants should verify their business information, selected support category, and attached files.
Eligibility Requirements and Restrictions to Check Before Applying
When determining eligibility, businesses should examine workplace-specific restrictions in addition to the regular employee count and manufacturing industry code.
First, confirm that the workplace's principal business activity falls under manufacturing codes C10~C34. If the industry code is unclear, compare the business registration information with the industry classification before applying.
Next, prepare the documents needed to determine the number of regular employees. Businesses whose employee counts are close to the eligibility threshold should check the calculation method and documentary evidence requirements specified in the notice.
Finally, review previous participation in government support programs and any restrictions on receiving overlapping assistance. If the business has previously participated in an identical or similar workplace improvement program, it is advisable to ask the responsible agency whether another application is permitted.
Where Can Applicants Direct Their Questions?
Inquiries about the program itself and questions about the application system are handled separately.
| Inquiry Type | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Program inquiries for the Seoul metropolitan and Chungcheong regions | 1600-1379 |
| Program inquiries for the Yeongnam and Honam regions | 02-741-9809 |
| Integrated SME Call Center | 1357 |
| Korea SMEs and Startups Agency for Market Development | 042-363-7904, 7906 |
| Small Business 24 system inquiries | 1644-5302 |
Questions about program requirements, such as industry eligibility or the appropriate support category, can be directed to the responsible regional agency. For login problems or errors on the application screen, applicants should contact the Small Business 24 system support service.
What Should Applicants Check First Before October 30?
The first things to verify are the workplace's number of regular employees and principal manufacturing industry code. If either requirement is not met, the business may be ineligible even if it plans to replace equipment or improve its facilities.
Once basic eligibility has been confirmed, applicants should identify the safety environment improvements needed at their workplace and compare their plans with the detailed restrictions and required documents in the extension notice.
2026-10-30 is the extended application deadline. Businesses should aim to complete their eligibility checks and submit their online applications by that date.