New "Bundled Research Fund" Introduced... Researchers to Manage Spending Directly

Shift to Negative Regulation, Abolition of Prior Approval for Meeting Expenses
Significant Easing of Research Administration Regulations

The government will significantly ease restrictions on the use of research funds and introduce a "bundled research fund" system, which allows researchers to autonomously manage expenditures. The aim is to reduce excessive documentation and administrative burdens, frequently pointed out in the field, and to improve the research-focused environment.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on April 28 that the Cabinet has approved a revision to the Enforcement Decree of the National Research and Development Innovation Act that includes these changes.

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. Provided by Pixabay.

The core of this revision is a shift in the way research funds are executed. Instead of the previous method, which strictly separated expenditures by detailed categories, researchers will now be able to use funds more flexibly and autonomously, according to their needs.

New "Research Innovation Fund" Created... Less Documentation, Greater Autonomy

First, a new "Research Innovation Fund" category (direct cost) will be established, which researchers can use freely. Expenses necessary for research activities, such as research materials, business trips, and meetings, can be executed without the need to separate them into individual line items.

The Research Innovation Fund can be used up to 10% of direct costs (with a maximum of 50 million won). Expenses can be substantiated simply with a card sales slip and a statement of purpose, greatly reducing complex procedures such as meeting minutes previously required. In addition, the requirement for external participants when using meeting expenses has been abolished.

This system will be applied on a trial basis to selected projects starting from June next year and is scheduled for full implementation in 2027.

"Everything Allowed Except the Prohibited"... Switch in Indirect Cost Regulations

Regulations on indirect costs used by research institutions will also shift to a "negative regulation" approach. Until now, if an expense was not listed as an allowed category, it could not be executed. From now on, any research-related cost can be covered as long as it is not specifically prohibited.

As a result, newly emerging research expenses, such as artificial intelligence (AI) service fees, can now be covered by indirect costs without separate regulatory amendments. Previously restricted uses, such as research response funds, will also be allowed. The relaxation of indirect cost regulations will take effect immediately upon the promulgation of the enforcement decree.

In addition, detailed regulations have been revised to alleviate inconvenience in the research field. The requirement for prior approval of meeting expenses has been completely abolished, and documentation for research material costs has been simplified to the level of an inspection and confirmation form.

Park In-kyu, Director General for Science and Technology Innovation at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "We have focused on reducing administrative burdens and resolving inconveniences so that researchers can concentrate solely on their research," adding, "We will continue to identify and improve regulations, no matter how minor, that hinder research immersion."

Meanwhile, this revision marks the first phase of the "Research Administration Innovation+" policy. The government plans to sequentially announce additional research system improvement measures, such as streamlining administrative forms, in the future.

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