The Ministry of Science and ICT (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae Kyung-hoon) announced the ‘2026 National Scientist Support Program (Leader-Level National Scientists and Engineers)’ on September 11 and launched the process to select 20 researchers, under a scheme in which the state honors and supports world-class researchers who represent the Republic of Korea. Introduced for the first time this year, the program is built around recognizing outstanding scientists and engineers as core national assets and providing each with 100 million won a year for up to five years.
 [코리안투데이] A view of the Ministry of Science and ICT building © 장형임 기자 |
The National Scientist scheme was created so that the state can directly select exceptional scientists and engineers and support them in raising the caliber and international influence of their research to the very highest global level, while recognizing and honoring them as core national assets for the advancement of science and technology. It differs in character from Korea’s existing approach to research support, which has focused on funding individual projects, in that the state now backs the standing and the activities of the researchers themselves.
The ‘Leader-Level National Scientists and Engineers,’ selected for the first time this year, are open to researchers from industry, academia and research institutes who hold Korean citizenship, are engaged in research and technological innovation within the country, and are aged 55 or under (born on or after January 1, 1970). The ministry says it will assess not only achievements to date but also the potential to sustain and develop world-class research over the next five to ten years, in order to choose researchers capable of leading the advancement of the nation’s science and technology and the innovation of its research ecosystem.
Candidates may apply through the recommendation of the institution to which they belong. Universities, research institutes, companies and other affiliated institutions may recommend up to three people each, following their own selection criteria and screening processes. Separately, applications are also possible through the recommendation of three or more internationally renowned scholars, or through the recommendation of a data-based discovery committee that draws on the analysis of academic data. Those recommended by international scholars or by the discovery committee are not counted toward an institution’s recommendation quota, and all applications proceed through the Integrated Research Information System (IRIS). International scholars must meet requirements such as being listed among the Highly Cited Researchers (HCR) in the top 1 percent of paper citations, or being a laureate of a prestigious award such as the Nobel Prize or the Fields Medal, among the criteria for the most outstanding talent in science and technology under the Ministry of Justice’s Top-Tier visa.
Selection screening proceeds in two stages: field-specific screening and final screening. Evaluators will comprehensively assess past accomplishments and influence, the likelihood of reaching the world’s highest level with the support of the National Scientist program, and contributions to the nation, the economy and society. The process will take into account the research characteristics of each type of institution — the academic excellence of universities, the technology-innovation impact of government-funded research institutes, and the industrial contribution of the private sector — and, drawing on the 16 major national science and technology standard classifications, will reflect a balance across academic fields so that neither science nor engineering is favored. The final selection committee will comprise around 20 members, including the chairs of the field-specific reviews, top experts from industry, academia and research institutes, and specialists in the humanities and social sciences as well as science and technology policy.
Selected researchers will be awarded the title of ‘National Scientist and Engineer’ along with a certificate issued in the name of the President. They will also receive honorary support, including participation in the formulation of major national science and technology policy and research and development (R&D) strategy, domestic and international publicity, invitations as guests of honor at major national science and technology events, and a fast track for immigration. In addition, they will receive 100 million won a year for up to five years (3+2 years), with the funding to be administered by flexibly applying the existing R&D funding system so that researchers can pursue their work autonomously. The intake will begin with 20 people this year and add 20 each year thereafter, to be managed at a total of around 100 people.
The application period runs from September 21 to October 12. Details on how to apply and the schedule can be found in the program announcement posted on the websites of the Ministry of Science and ICT (www.msit.go.kr) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (www.nrf.re.kr), and on the Integrated Research Information System (IRIS). To help researchers and research institutions understand the program, the ministry will hold a briefing session at 2 p.m. on September 16 at the Royal Hotel Seoul in Myeong-dong, Seoul, explaining eligibility, the recommendation methods, the application procedure and the selection criteria. Those wishing to attend in person may register in advance on the National Research Foundation website, and the session will be streamed live on the foundation’s YouTube channel. Screening will take place from October to December, with the final list to be confirmed in December.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon said, ‘What ultimately determines a nation’s competitiveness in science and technology is, in the end, people,’ adding, ‘We will actively support the selected leader-level national scientists and engineers so that they can further raise the caliber and international influence of their research and contribute to the advancement of science and technology as researchers who represent the Republic of Korea.’
지역 홍보대사 신청 기자양성과정 신청 코리안투데이 지부장 신청 코리안투데이 인천강화
THE KOREAN TODAY × WIA CODE
이 기사의 WIA Code
WIA Code 스캐너로 비추면 인터넷 없이 발행 사실과 위·변조 여부를 확인할 수 있습니다.
휴대폰 기본 카메라로 찍으면 스캐너 안내 페이지가 열립니다 — 기사 바로 열기
움직이는 코드(스트림) 한 장에 기사 전문(사진 포함)이 담겨 있습니다 — WIA Code 스캐너로 약 28초 비추면 폰에 저장되어 인터넷 없이도 읽을 수 있습니다. Stream.mp4 도 여기서 받습니다.
WIA Code · 코리안투데이
Leave a Reply