Basic Research Promotion Council Reviews and Approves
"Policy Direction for Qualitative Advancement of Basic Research"
The government will maintain and expand the proportion of basic research projects to at least 10% of the national research and development (R&D) budget. In addition, the support system for individual basic research will be reorganized to focus on the growth of research itself, rather than solely on the growth of researchers.
On May 20, the Ministry of Science and ICT held the 30th Basic Research Promotion Council of the National Science and Technology Advisory Council, where it reviewed and approved the "Policy Direction for Qualitative Advancement of Basic Research (Draft)," which includes these measures.
Lee Changyun, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, is speaking. Photo by Ministry of Science and ICT
The Basic Research Promotion Council is an inter-ministerial comprehensive coordination body that deliberates on major issues related to basic research, as stipulated by the National Science and Technology Advisory Council Act. With the expiration of the term of the 5th Council, the 6th Council has been newly formed. A total of 26 members have been appointed?23 from the private sector and 3 from the government?based on recommendations from relevant academic societies and others. The term of office is two years.
At this meeting, it was first decided to maintain and expand the proportion of basic research projects to at least 10% of the government’s R&D budget. The budget and proportion for basic research projects have steadily increased from 1.1 trillion won (5.8%) in 2016, to 2.35 trillion won (8.6%) in 2021, and to 2.93 trillion won (9.8%) in 2025.
To further the advancement of academic disciplines, the support system for individual basic research will be restructured. The focus will shift from the previous age- and career-based approach, which prioritized the growth of researchers, to a system that emphasizes the growth of research itself, reflecting the characteristics of each academic field.
Support systems for emerging and leading researchers will be further refined to reflect their specific needs. For emerging researchers, more opportunities will be provided to early-stage researchers, and a new re-shoring program will be established to encourage outstanding postdoctoral researchers currently abroad to return to Korea. In addition, support for top-tier researchers with exceptional research capabilities and achievements will be strengthened, regardless of age or career stage.
To enhance the research competitiveness of universities, the support system for group research will also be improved. Research funding, which has remained stagnant, will be increased, and organizational reforms such as converting university research groups into research institutes will be promoted to strengthen support for follow-up research.
The effectiveness of these initiatives will be enhanced by providing specialized support, such as supporting research groups and guaranteeing autonomy in the use of resources at the institutional (research institute) level within universities.
For the future development of basic research, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education will strengthen collaboration and division of roles. They will also review support measures at the university level to expand university research ecosystems, reinforce the foundation for research innovation in universities in response to convergence and digitalization, and improve university research environments through institutional reforms.
Lee Changyun, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "As the basic research budget has increased rapidly in recent years, improving the qualitative level will become a key task going forward." He emphasized, "To achieve this, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education must cooperate as 'One Team,' and close collaboration between the government and the research community must also be strengthened."
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