The Ministry of Science and ICT will increase the proportion of basic research projects in the government's research and development (R&D) budget to over 10%. It will establish a program for the return (reshoring) of outstanding postdoctoral researchers currently abroad and improve the collective research support system to enhance research competitiveness at universities.
On the afternoon of the 20th, the Ministry of Science and ICT held the 30th National Science and Technology Advisory Council Basic Research Promotion Council, reviewing and adopting the 'policy direction for the qualitative advancement of basic research.' The Basic Research Promotion Council is a comprehensive inter-ministerial coordination body reviewing major issues related to basic research, composed of a total of 26 members, including 23 from the private sector and 3 from the government.
To qualitatively advance basic research, the Ministry of Science and ICT has conducted four strategic dialogues on basic research since February, chaired by Vice Minister Lee Chang-yun. The policies announced that day were developed by gathering expert opinions through these four strategic dialogues.
First, the Ministry of Science and ICT decided to maintain the proportion of basic research projects within the government R&D budget at over 10%. This proportion has steadily increased from 8.2% in 2019, with the current figure standing at 9.8%. The ministry plans to maintain this proportion at over 10% starting next year and continue to expand it.
The Basic Research Promotion Act, which supports basic research innovation, will also be revised. The existing act narrowly defined the scope of basic research, limiting support. The plan is to reform the support system and broaden the scope through this legal amendment. The support systems for research and development will be divided, with the existing age- and experience-based system being restructured to reflect the characteristics of the disciplines, also revamping the individual basic research support system.
Support systems for emerging and leading research will be enhanced based on specific targets. A new program for the return of outstanding postdoctoral researchers from abroad will be established under emerging research. Additionally, support will be increased for the top-tier researchers who have excellent research capabilities and achievements, regardless of age or experience.
To improve the research competitiveness of universities, the collective research support system will also be improved. Funding will be increased, and support will rise to contribute to enhancing university research competitiveness through the growth paths and organization of research groups (small to medium to large) and the transition from research groups to research institutes. The method of providing research support to universities will also be expanded from the existing individual-based competitive approach to a university-based support system.
Vice Minister Lee Chang-yun noted, 'As the basic research budget has rapidly increased recently, improving qualitative standards will be a key task going forward,' emphasizing that to achieve this, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Education must collaborate as 'One Team,' and close cooperation between the government and the research community must also be strengthened.