25.4% Budget Increase Over Previous Year
Full-scale Push for "Top 3 AI Powerhouse" Leap and Securing Breakthrough Technologies
The Ministry of Science and ICT will allocate a total research and development (R&D) budget of 811.88 billion won to the science and ICT sectors this year. Through this, the ministry aims to kick-start innovation-driven growth based on science and technology and to make a full-fledged leap toward becoming one of the top three global AI powerhouses.
On January 1, the Ministry of Science and ICT finalized and announced the "2026 Comprehensive Implementation Plan for R&D Projects," which includes these details. The total budget for this plan has increased by 25.4% compared to the previous year, consisting of 644.02 billion won for the science and technology sector and 167.86 billion won for the ICT sector.
In the science and technology sector, the ministry will expand investments in future promising technologies such as biotechnology and quantum technology, while focusing on developing core source technologies to secure a significant lead in strategic industries like semiconductors, displays, and secondary batteries. Major projects include: ▲ AI-native advanced bio autonomous laboratories (13.5 billion won), ▲ Quantum science and technology flagship project (50 billion won), ▲ Next-generation optical-based computational semiconductors (4.6 billion won), ▲ Next-generation converged freeform displays (4.7 billion won), and ▲ Future innovation-leading core technologies for secondary batteries (5 billion won).
Investments will also be strengthened in supply chain stability and climate response fields, such as nanotechnology, materials, and future energy. The ministry plans to support high-risk, high-difficulty research through challenge-driven R&D and interdisciplinary research, and simultaneously enhance problem-solving and research productivity by integrating science and technology with AI. A total of 270 billion won will be allocated to basic research, while talent development projects such as the Science and Technology Innovation Talent Development Program (76.9 billion won) and National Scientist Support (2.5 billion won) will continue.
A large-scale budget has also been allocated for expanding research infrastructure. The construction of a multipurpose synchrotron radiation accelerator will receive 118.8 billion won, and the advancement of national flagship high-performance computing infrastructure will receive 68.4 billion won. To promote regional and industrial diffusion, the ministry will implement the Four Major Regions and Three Special Science and Technology Innovation Support Program (78.9 billion won) and support the commercialization and startup of public research outcomes (93 billion won). In terms of international cooperation, the plan includes establishing cooperation hubs with outstanding overseas research institutions (30.1 billion won) and supporting participation in EU multilateral research programs (12.5 billion won).
The ICT sector will focus on accelerating the national AI transformation. The ministry will make concentrated investments in AI transformation (AX) engines, core technologies for advanced infrastructure, and the development of highly skilled talent, pursuing projects such as: ▲ K-Cloud technology development (60.8 billion won), ▲ Quantum flagship project (30.2 billion won), and ▲ Leading technology development for physical AI (15 billion won).
Alongside securing leadership in next-generation communication technologies such as 6G, low-orbit satellite communications, and AI-based networks, the ministry will also strengthen cybersecurity through the internalization of AI security and the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography. A total of 106.8 billion won will be allocated to 6G industrial technology development, and 107.4 billion won to the development of core source technologies for information security.
To foster AI and digital transformation talent, the ministry will support ▲ AI graduate schools (40 billion won), ▲ AX graduate schools (15 billion won), ▲ Top-tier early-career AI researchers (34 billion won), and ▲ Leading talent in generative AI (27 billion won). In addition, a new project has been established to create AX innovation hubs in four regions: Honam, Daegyeong, Southeast, and Jeonbuk.
Together with the expansion of the R&D budget, the ministry also presented plans for institutional improvements. These include establishing a data-based R&D management system, strengthening the inspection of project-specific Data Management Plans (DMP), introducing an evaluation system focused on challenge and integrity, reducing administrative paperwork, and abolishing evaluation grades to improve the research environment. Generative AI will be pilot-introduced throughout the entire R&D cycle to enhance efficiency in planning, evaluation, and management.
According to this comprehensive implementation plan, the Ministry of Science and ICT will announce the schedules for new projects and tasks on January 2, and will hold a joint briefing session with related ministries in January to provide detailed information on the application period and procedures.
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