The Ministry of Science and ICT held the 66th Operating Committee meeting of the National Science and Technology Advisory Council on the 27th and reviewed and approved the '2024 survey and analysis results on the designation and operation of specialized research management institutions' on the 29th.
According to the report, the number of specialized institutions acting as research and development (R&D) project management agencies increased by 10, from 62 in 2022 to 72 last year. This figure pertains to the institutions managing projects separately from the 17 major specialized institutions that were the subjects of the survey. The previous survey called for an integrated reorganization of research management functions by department; however, the latest results showed an increase in the number of specialized institutions. Therefore, the Operating Committee recommended that each department should designate new institutions only after careful consideration if the existing specialized institutions are unable to perform their roles.
The survey results indicated that the 17 major specialized institutions manage a total of 1,044 detailed projects, with their budget execution amount reaching 18.3119 trillion won. The number of projects managed per institution increased from 0.28 in 2021 to 0.34 in 2023; however, planning and evaluation management costs decreased from 131 million won in 2021 to 122 million won last year. Although the proportion of self-planned projects increased to 56% last year, a 2 percentage point rise from the previous year, the number of personnel dedicated to planning and specialized personnel with experience in planning large-scale projects worth over 30 billion won declined. Therefore, the situation was analyzed as one requiring an increase in specialized personnel.
During the meeting, the Operating Committee also approved a plan to expand research and development investment by public institutions. It recommended that 39 public institutions, including Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation and Korea Electric Power Corporation, invest 1.7953 trillion won as self-funded research and development expenses, which is 2.46% of the expected net sales for next year. This amount is an increase of 177.2 billion won from this year's recommendation of 1.6182 trillion won.
The Operating Committee also reviewed and approved a revision plan to expand the number of specialized committees by technical fields from the current eight to eleven. According to the plan, the committees will be subdivided into specialized committees on artificial intelligence (AI), information and communications technology (ICT), and quantum and semiconductor technology. Additionally, the Operating Committee received a report on the technology impact assessment results targeting 'safe and reliable AI technology.'