The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it will support 2,176 projects (175.5 billion won) selected through the announcement and evaluation of the second new project of the basic research program for the year 2025 starting from September 1, including mid-level research (creative research), excellent early-stage research (seed research), pioneering research, and national agenda basic research.
In the second selection of the basic research program this time, mid-level research (creative research) projects supporting small-scale research in various fields accounted for the largest share with 1,291 projects.
In addition, this new project selection includes seed research (early-stage research), pioneering research, and national agenda basic research that are being initiated this year. Seed research (530 projects, 48.9 billion won) is a project that supports newly appointed faculty members in securing initial research opportunities to cultivate research capabilities, with a total of 530 early-stage researchers being supported this year to help stabilize their establishment.
Pioneering research (160 projects, 14.9 billion won) is a project that supports the exploration and establishment of concepts in newly emerging fields through the first questions, rather than areas where existing research has been widely conducted. It was established to foster a challenging basic research environment. In this regard, the boldness of research ideas and the potential for transformative research were primarily assessed, and to inspire researchers' sense of challenge, exceptions to the 'one person, one project principle' of the basic research program will be applied, and mid-term evaluations will be omitted.
National agenda basic research (140 projects, 26.5 billion won) supports strategic basic research based on national and social needs so that basic research can underpin government policies. It was pursued in a 'middle-up' manner where the government presents policy areas within a range and researchers propose research plans.
In addition, the 'Sejong Science Fellowship (overseas),' which supports excellent postdoctoral researchers to grow as key talents in strategic technology fields, is also set to commence on September 1.
Koo Hyuk-chae, the first vice minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, noted that 'along with the restoration of the basic research ecosystem such as the basic research program, we must also work on strengthening the innovation and strategic nature of basic research,' adding, 'We will establish the direction for basic research by sufficiently communicating with the field.'