Government to Invest 175.5 Billion KRW in 2,176 Basic Research Projects

530 Early-Career Researchers to Receive 'Seed Research' Support
Initial Research Opportunities Secured for New Faculty Starting Next Month

'Seed Research' support for a total of 530 new early-career research projects, including Professor Seo Junyong of Kongju National University's "Development of Metamaterial Design Techniques for Simultaneous Control of Radiant Heat Spectrum and Direction," will begin next month.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 27th that, through the second announcement and evaluation of new basic research projects for 2025, it has selected 2,176 projects (175.5 billion KRW), including mid-career research (creative research type), excellent early-career research (seed research), pioneering research, and national agenda basic research, to be supported starting from the 1st of next month.

The Ministry of Science and ICT has selected 2,176 projects (175.5 billion KRW) through the second announcement and evaluation of new basic research projects for 2025, including mid-career research (creative research type), excellent early-career research (seed research), pioneering research, and national agenda basic research, to be supported starting from the 1st of next month. The photo is not directly related to the article content. Photo by Asia Economy DB

This round of new project selections includes seed research (early-career research), pioneering research, and national agenda basic research, which are newly introduced in 2025. These initiatives are expected to expand the research safety net for young researchers and enhance the innovation and strategic value of basic research.

'Seed Research' is a program designed to support new faculty members in securing initial research opportunities and developing their research capabilities. This year, a total of 530 early-career researchers will be supported to help ensure their stable settlement in the academic field.

'Pioneering Research' is a newly established program that supports the exploration and establishment of concepts in emerging fields through original questions, rather than focusing on areas where research has already been extensively conducted. The program was created to foster a culture of challenging basic research. The boldness of research ideas and the potential for transformative research were the main evaluation criteria. To encourage researchers to take on challenges, exceptions to the 'one researcher, one project' principle in basic research programs have been made, and interim evaluations are omitted.

'National Agenda Basic Research' supports strategic basic research based on national and social needs so that basic research can underpin government policy. The government identifies policy areas, such as the twelve strategic technology sectors, and within this scope, researchers propose their research plans using a middle-up approach.

The 'Sejong Science Fellowship (Overseas)' program, which supports overseas training for outstanding postdoctoral researchers to help them become core talents in strategic technology fields, will also launch on September 1, along with other programs. Through this initiative, postdoctoral researchers will be able to strengthen their global research competencies and explore diverse career paths.

Koo Hyukchae, the First Vice Minister of Science and ICT, stated, "Along with restoring the basic research ecosystem through programs such as the basic research project, we must also continue to strengthen the innovation and strategic value of basic research," adding, "We will communicate closely with the field to establish the future direction of basic research."

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