Accelerated Efforts to Nurture Science and Technology Talent as Research Grant Eligibility Doubles

Introduction of Science and Technology Specialist Officer Candidate System,
Research Institutes Take the Lead in Attracting Overseas Talent
Ministry of Science and ICT Holds 21st Special Committee on Future Talent,
Deliberates and Approves Science and Technology Talent Development Plans

The number of doctoral students eligible for research encouragement grants will more than double, and a new system will be introduced for science and technology specialist officer candidates, who will serve as research and development officers at institutions such as the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) after a period of training.

On April 25, the Ministry of Science and ICT held the 21st Special Committee on Future Talent and deliberated and approved the following: the draft implementation plan for 2025 under the 4th Basic Plan for Fostering and Supporting Science and Technology Talent (2021?2025), and the draft implementation plan for 2025 under the 5th Basic Plan for Fostering and Supporting Women in Science and Technology (2024?2028).

Ryu Kwangjun, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, is speaking. Photo by Yonhap News

The government has more than doubled the number of doctoral students receiving research encouragement grants, increasing from 1,122 students (16.3 billion KRW) last year to 2,281 students (38.1 billion KRW) this year. This is to allow students to focus on their studies without financial burden.

The government will also select science and technology specialist officer candidates. This program selects 50 candidates?25 with bachelor's degrees and 25 with master's degrees?who will undergo at least three semesters of training. After obtaining their master's or doctoral degrees, they will be commissioned as first lieutenants and serve as research and development officers at institutions such as the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) for three years.

Research institutes will now take the lead in attracting outstanding overseas researchers. Previously, the "Brain Pool" program for attracting talented researchers from abroad operated by having individual domestic researchers invite outstanding talent. Starting this year, however, a new "institution-led" recruitment system has been introduced, allowing research institutes themselves to seek out talent directly.

To help outstanding overseas researchers settle in Korea, the government also plans to complete improvements to the visa system in the first half of this year, expanding the scope of employment activities permitted for the spouses of researchers beyond their current residency status.

In addition, the government will continue to promote international cooperation networks, including overseas dispatches of master's and doctoral researchers, joint research and personnel exchanges with foreign institutions. The Regional Innovation-led University Support System (RISE), led by local governments, will be fully launched, and new designations for "Glocal Universities" will also be pursued.

Recognition and support for distinguished contributors to science and technology will also be expanded. Since the enactment of the Science and Technology Distinguished Contributors Act in 2015, the Ministry of Science and ICT has designated a total of 91 distinguished contributors from 2017 to 2024. The ministry has honored these contributors in various ways, including supporting the burial of deceased contributors in national cemeteries, awarding certificates, issuing preferential immigration cards, presenting nameplates for their residences or offices, and publishing educational comics about their achievements for distribution to science museums.

This year, to further publicize the achievements of contributors, the ministry will strengthen collaboration by organizing lectures at national science museums and supporting commemorative projects by local governments. It also plans to actively discover current science and technology professionals, and expand participation from experts in industry, academia, and science history in the selection and review committees.

This year, 143.4 billion KRW will be invested to foster women in science and technology. To encourage outstanding female talent to pursue studies and careers in science and technology, the ministry will develop inquiry-based math and science educational content, offer career lectures by industry-academia-research professionals, and provide opportunities for hands-on experience in research fields at universities and other institutions.

Additionally, for women in science and technology whose careers have been interrupted due to childbirth and childcare, the ministry will support job competency training in new industries such as ICT, IP, and bio. To promote a work-life balance research culture for scientists and engineers with young children, a pilot voucher program will be launched to provide emergency childcare support during research activities.

Ryu Kwangjun, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "This year, the government will broadly incorporate diverse opinions into the 5th Basic Plan for Fostering and Supporting Science and Technology Talent currently being formulated. We will systematically nurture outstanding talent and establish a comprehensive policy framework to ensure that these individuals can fully demonstrate their capabilities in Korea without having to go abroad."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.