Call for Proposals: EBC-K Project 2026 to Facilitate the Use of ICI Applications

Deadline: 25-Sep-2026

The National Information and Communication Technology Authority (NICTA) is inviting Expressions of Interest (EoI) from government agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, research institutions, community organizations, private sector entities, and other stakeholders to participate in the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Extra Budgetary Contribution from the Republic of Korea (EBC-K) Project 2026. The EBC-K Project is designed to promote the development and use of innovative ICT applications across APT Member countries. It focuses on using ICT and smart technologies to generate new economic value, improve efficiency and productivity, and create opportunities across key service and industry sectors.

About the APT EBC-K Project 2026

The EBC-K Project is an initiative under the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) supported through an Extra Budgetary Contribution from the Republic of Korea. The project encourages APT Member countries to develop and implement ICT or smart technology applications that address practical needs in important sectors. The initiative seeks to move beyond technology adoption for its own sake by supporting solutions that can generate measurable economic, social, or productivity benefits. Purpose of the EBC-K Project

The project aims to:

- Promote the development and use of ICT applications. - Encourage smart technology adoption. - Improve efficiency and productivity. - Generate new economic value. - Create new economic opportunities. - Support innovation across important service and industry sectors. - Encourage cooperation between APT Member countries and Korean experts. - Facilitate knowledge and technical exchange. Priority Areas for ICT Applications Proposals can focus on ICT or smart technology applications in a range of sectors.

Potential areas include:

- Tourism. - Agriculture. - Aquaculture. - Education. - Healthcare. - Transportation. - Other relevant service and industry sectors. Applicants should identify a practical challenge or opportunity and demonstrate how an innovative ICT solution can improve outcomes. ICT Applications for Tourism The project can support innovative technology applications in the tourism sector. Potential projects could focus on improving efficiency, developing smarter tourism services, creating new economic opportunities, or using digital technologies to improve the overall tourism ecosystem. ICT Applications for Agriculture Agriculture is another important area for the EBC-K Project. ICT and smart technologies can be used to address productivity and efficiency challenges and create new opportunities within agricultural systems. Proposals should clearly connect the proposed technology with a practical agricultural need. ICT Applications for Aquaculture The project also welcomes relevant applications in aquaculture. Technology-based solutions may be proposed where they can improve efficiency, productivity, management, or create new economic opportunities within the sector. ICT Applications for Education Educational institutions and other eligible stakeholders can consider ICT applications that improve educational processes, services, access, efficiency, or productivity. Technology solutions should be designed around a clearly identified need and demonstrate potential practical benefits. ICT Applications for Healthcare Healthcare is also identified as a potential sector for project activities. Proposals can explore innovative ICT or smart technology applications that improve efficiency, productivity, service delivery, or create new opportunities in healthcare-related activities. ICT Applications for Transportation Transportation-related ICT applications are also eligible areas of interest. Projects may focus on using smart technologies to improve efficiency, productivity, services, or other relevant outcomes within transportation systems. Who Can Submit an Expression of Interest? The EoI is open to a broad range of organizations and stakeholders, including: - Government agencies. - Educational institutions. - Non-profit organizations and NGOs. - Research institutions. - Community organizations. - Private sector entities. - Other relevant stakeholders. Applicants should have the appropriate capacity and partnerships to implement an ICT or smart technology project within an APT Member country. Requirement for APT Member or Associate Member Submission Project proposals should be submitted through APT Members or Associate Members. Applicants should therefore coordinate with the relevant APT Member or Associate Member when developing and submitting their proposal. This requirement is an important part of the project application process. Collaboration With Korean Experts A key requirement of the EBC-K Project is collaboration with experts from Korea. Projects must involve Korean expertise and should demonstrate how this collaboration will contribute to the successful implementation of the proposed ICT or smart technology solution. Applicants should identify and coordinate with their cooperating partners in advance. Listing Cooperating Partners All participating organizations and institutions are required to coordinate in advance and list all cooperating partners in the application. Applicants should therefore establish their partnership arrangements before submitting the EoI. Clearly identifying the roles of participating organizations can help demonstrate that the project has the necessary technical and institutional capacity. Project Location Projects must be implemented within APT Member countries. Applicants should ensure that their proposed activities take place within an eligible APT Member country and comply with the project’s implementation requirements. Availability of Experts Experts from both the beneficiary country and Korea should be available for the full duration of the project. This requirement highlights the importance of continuous technical cooperation and knowledge exchange throughou