Ministry of Science and ICT Announces 'Fifth Basic Plan for Fostering and Supporting Science and Technology Talent'... 100 Million Won Annual Research Support for Leader-level Researchers

The government has unveiled a comprehensive set of measures containing extraordinary compensation and support policies to create an environment where science and technology talents can immerse themselves in research. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that through the 'Fifth Basic Plan for Fostering and Supporting Science and Technology Talent,' it will pursue three major strategies: creating a talent ecosystem, strengthening dynamism, and establishing a national management system.

Providing 100 Million Won Annually to Leader-level Researchers... Creating an Ecosystem Focused on 'Opportunity and Reward'

The government will strengthen the support system so that science and technology talents can receive certain rewards based on their achievements. In particular, talents producing world-class research results will be selected as 'National Scientist and Engineer' and directly recognized by the President, and they will be planned to receive up to 100 million won per year for 5 years for the costs required for research activities.

The support targets are divided into two tracks. The method is to provide 100 million won annually to leader-level researchers and approximately 50 million won to next-generation researchers. Additionally, to ensure that young researchers can focus solely on research on a stable foundation, the government plans to build a research immersion environment by institutionalizing support for dedicated research personnel and an intensive support system for Post-Docs (Postdoctoral researchers).

Supporting Graduate Student Living Expenses and Utilizing the Technical Research Personnel System... Strengthening 'Dynamism and Diversity'

Education and living support measures to promote the influx of excellent talent in science and engineering were also included. Scholarships for university students will be expanded, and the 'Research Living Allowance' will be gradually increased so that graduate students can conduct research without economic burdens. Furthermore, a system will be implemented where those with Master's or Doctoral degrees in the fields of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and AX (AI Transformation) can perform alternative service as Technical Research Personnel at large corporations or government-funded research institutes.

Startup support and balanced regional development are also major tasks. To vitalize startups among young people, the period for taking a leave of absence for entrepreneurship will be extended and the approval process will be simplified. In addition, the government plans to intensively foster regional hub universities and institutes of science and technology to establish a foundation where excellent talents can stay and conduct research in their regions instead of concentrating in the Seoul metropolitan area.

The 'Brain to Korea' strategy to secure global talent will also be pursued. To help excellent overseas researchers settle in Korea, a 'Top-Tier Visa' track will be operated, providing various living supports such as easing residency conditions and reducing income tax. In addition, support for parental leave to prevent career breaks for female scientists and ways to utilize the know-how of highly experienced professional personnel will also be pursued.

Integrated Data Management Between Ministries and Promotion of New Gifted Schools

To ensure systematic talent management at the national level, a cooperation system between related ministries will be established, centered around the Ministry of Science and ICT. The plan is to build an integrated management system that gathers talent data, which is currently dispersed across each ministry and institution, into one place, allowing the state to intensively manage the entire process from securing talent to fostering and providing stable research support.

To expand educational infrastructure, the operation of gifted schools will also be expanded. Currently, two gifted schools are being newly established in Chungbuk and Gwangju, and an open call is underway to convert three schools in regions without gifted schools. Through this, a total of five gifted schools are expected to be newly established, providing professional gifted education opportunities to more students.

An official from the Ministry of Science and ICT stated in a video, "The 2026 R&D budget has been organized at a record high of 35.5 trillion won," and "We are making massive investment and support efforts to make this a country where people want to become scientists and a country where scientists are respected."