"R&D Budget Overhaul Begins"... 166 Experts to Fully Review 2027 National Research and Development Projects

Office for Science, Technology and Innovation Begins Review of R&D Budgets for 32 Ministries and Agencies
AI Deployed to Identify Similarities and Overlapping Projects

The government has officially begun the allocation process for the 2027 national research and development (R&D) budget. A total of 166 private-sector experts will participate in a comprehensive review of the necessity, budget scale, and potential overlap of R&D projects from each ministry. Starting this year, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based budget review system is also being introduced for the first time.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it will hold the "2027 National R&D Project Budget Briefing" in the Sejong area from the 11th to the 15th.

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. The Asia Business Daily DB

This briefing has been organized by the Office for Science and Technology Innovation to allocate and coordinate the government's R&D budget proposal for 2027. Under the National Science and Technology Advisory Council’s Operations Committee, 166 expert committee members will conduct an in-depth review of next year’s R&D projects from 32 ministries and agencies.

The expert committee is comprised of professionals from industry, academia, and research institutes specializing in 10 technology fields, including machinery and materials, artificial intelligence (AI) and information and communication technology (ICT), quantum and semiconductors, bio, and space and aerospace. They will focus on evaluating the appropriateness of technology development by project, the necessity of government support, the validity of the budget scale, and ways to enhance efficiency.

"Catching Similar and Overlapping Projects"... First Introduction of AI Review

The Ministry of Science and ICT has also introduced a specialized AI service to support the national R&D budget review process starting this year. The AI analyzes whether there are similarities or overlaps between projects and reduces the burden of preparing review materials, thereby increasing the objectivity and efficiency of the budget review process.

The Ministry plans to comprehensively reflect the results of this briefing, the "2027 National R&D Investment Direction and Standards," and government policy directions to prepare the "2027 National R&D Project Budget Allocation and Adjustment Plan" by the end of June.

Park Inkyu, Head of the Office for Science and Technology Innovation, said, "This is an important occasion where 166 private-sector experts will discuss the overall national R&D projects together with each ministry. We will thoroughly eliminate wasteful factors and boldly invest in areas where support is truly needed, so that tangible results can be rapidly disseminated to the public."

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