23.42 Billion Won to Be Invested in 2026 for Convergence Source Technologies
Full-Scale Push for Future Dominant Technologies
The government is making a preemptive investment in technologies that will shape the next decade. A large-scale plan has been finalized to invest 23.42 billion won in 2026 alone, focusing on core source technologies that will determine national competitiveness, such as superconductors, supercomputers, scientific technology AI, and humanoids.
On January 15, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it has finalized the "2026 Convergence Source Technology Development Project Implementation Plan" and will begin full-scale implementation. The plan consists of eight detailed projects, with 2.09 billion won newly allocated to four new initiatives: commercialization of high-temperature superconducting magnets, AI+S&T innovative technologies, next-generation AI+S&T foundational technologies, and advancement of public-private partnership AI humanoid source technologies.
On the 5th of last month (local time), one day before the opening of the world's largest consumer electronics and information technology exhibition, CES 2026, the humanoid robot Atlas was unveiled at the Hyundai Motor Group press conference held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. This photo is provided to help understand the article. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Expansion of 'Convergence Source Research' Targeting Future Paradigms
In the field of convergence source research, 8.63 billion won has been allocated for 2026. The Ministry of Science and ICT will focus on supporting creative and challenging research that can change the paradigm of future society through synergy among diverse technologies, fields, and stakeholders.
The Future Promising Convergence Technology Pioneer Project aims to create new industries within 10 years by conducting both phase 1 concept validation and phase 2 scaling up. Next year, the ministry plans to expand the selection of new projects (about 25, worth 1.54 billion won), focusing on high-difficulty convergence source research.
In addition, the ministry will continue to promote BRIDGE convergence R&D, which connects highly practical outcomes, and global convergence research support aimed at solving challenging problems that require international collaboration.
In the high-temperature superconductor field, the government will continue to develop and validate magnet source technologies accumulated since 2022, while newly launching practical technology development for application in systems such as bio (NMR), energy (nuclear fusion reactors), medical (cancer treatment accelerators), and transportation (aircraft motors). Through these efforts, the government aims to establish the foundation for the high-temperature superconductor industry ecosystem.
Construction of the Sixth Supercomputer... Supporting Big Science and AI Research
In the supercomputer sector, the focus will be on building and operating the sixth national supercomputer, a key infrastructure for national research and industry. This will be accompanied by securing foundational software technologies for high-performance computing (HPC) and supporting large-scale and group research. The goal is to enhance computational infrastructure competitiveness in response to increasing demand for large-scale data analysis and AI research.
In the field of scientific technology AI, the ministry will launch new specialized AI models targeting R&D innovation in Korea's strong sectors such as bio, materials, and chemistry, as well as next-generation AI foundational technologies to improve research efficiency and accuracy. In the humanoid sector, the goal is to achieve human-level behavioral autonomy by developing package-type integrated core technologies in AI, software, and hardware, and to secure global technological leadership through public-private collaboration.
The Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "We will strengthen support for source technology development in accordance with the finalized implementation plan," adding, "Detailed information on the 2026 new project announcements and the project application schedule will be provided at the end of this month through the website of the National Research Foundation of Korea."
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