Ministry of Science and ICT Finalizes 2024 Comprehensive R&D Implementation Plan

KRW 4.6909 Trillion Allocated to Science and Technology, and KRW 1.1668 Trillion to ICT and Broadcasting
Detailed Plans to Be Presented at an Interministerial Briefing Session in Late January

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has finalized its comprehensive implementation plan for science and technology research and development (R&D) programs for 2024.

The ministry, led by Minister Lee Jong-ho, announced on the 4th that it will invest a total of KRW 5.8577 trillion under its 2024 Comprehensive R&D Program Implementation Plan.

With the goal of “advancing Korea into a global science, technology, and ICT powerhouse through innovation-driven R&D,” the ministry will allocate KRW 4.6909 trillion to science and technology and KRW 1.1668 trillion to information and communications technology (ICT) and broadcasting.

By category, the budget includes KRW 3.0217 trillion for fundamental and source technologies, KRW 2.1289 trillion for basic research, KRW 334.2 billion for human resource development, KRW 208.4 billion for commercialization, and KRW 164.5 billion for research infrastructure.

In the science and technology sector, the government will first strengthen investment in innovative and challenge-driven R&D. Researchers will receive support tailored to each stage of their careers, while young and talented scientists will be encouraged to pursue ambitious research through programs including KRW 9 billion for long-term, single-focus research and KRW 129.9 billion for the Sejong Science Fellowship. An additional KRW 10 billion has been allocated to establish collaboration hubs with leading overseas research institutions.

New investments will also be made in R&D to secure national strategic technologies, including KRW 7.3 billion for core synthetic biology technologies, KRW 6.4 billion for semiconductors, KRW 3.3 billion for displays, KRW 3.5 billion for secondary batteries, and KRW 2.4 billion for quantum technologies.

Funding will also be expanded for large-scale science projects designed to accelerate private-sector technological innovation, including KRW 10 billion for the space industry cluster and KRW 6 billion for next-generation reactor development.

To secure core digital technologies, the government will provide KRW 4 billion for next-generation generative AI, KRW 20.6 billion for next-generation communications networks, KRW 4.9 billion for quantum cryptography communications, and KRW 104.5 billion for core information security technology development.

The ministry will also support the commercialization and regional expansion of innovative research outcomes into deep-tech industries through KRW 2 billion for deep-science startup initiatives, KRW 8.1 billion for industry-academia-research collaboration platforms, and KRW 3.6 billion for technology commercialization.

Investment in the development of highly skilled science and technology talent will also be strengthened. The government will provide KRW 61.4 billion to train master’s- and doctoral-level professionals in Korea’s 12 national strategic technology fields, while also expanding programs to develop talent in artificial intelligence, emerging digital industries, and regional innovation.

The government also plans to improve regulations and systems that have hindered R&D innovation. Conflict-of-interest exclusion rules in evaluation processes will be abolished, while the weighting given to challenge and innovation criteria will be significantly increased. Evaluation expertise and transparency will also be strengthened, with further details to be reflected in the 2025 budget consultation and formulation process.

As the R&D budget has decreased compared with the previous year, the ministry will also provide guidance on adjustments to research funding for ongoing projects and procedures for amending research agreements.

MSIT plans to officially announce the finalized comprehensive R&D implementation plan on the 5th and provide detailed information on program contents, proposal schedules, and application procedures through joint interministerial briefing sessions beginning in late January.

Source: HelloDD(http://www.hellodd.com)