The South Korean government selected 4,628 new individual basic research projects for the first half of this year, marking a significant expansion of support for researchers under the new administration. The individual basic research program, which has run for nearly 40 years since its launch in 1986, has broadened its scope of researcher support.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 12th that it has finalized new projects for the first half of 2026 under its basic research program for individual researchers, including Core Research, New Researcher, and Sejong Science Fellowship (domestic) tracks. The 4,628 newly selected researchers represent an increase of 914 from the same tracks last year.
The breakdown includes 2,558 Core Research projects, 1,770 New Researcher projects, and 300 Sejong Science Fellowships (domestic). Core Research comprises 159 Type C, 1,070 Type B, 1,209 Type A, 89 Leap-forward, and 31 Hanumul (deep-specialization) projects. New Researcher projects include 807 Type B, 880 Type A, and 83 Infrastructure grants.
The government cited the expansion in project numbers as the most significant feature of this selection. With approximately 2,000 additional basic research projects scheduled for selection in the second half, more researchers are expected to secure stable research environments.
Support for early-career researchers saw particularly notable growth. New Researcher projects increased 75% from 965 last year to 1,687 this year. The Sejong Science Fellowship domestic track for postdoctoral researchers expanded 50% from 200 to 300 grants.
The government also strengthened foundations for long-term, stable research. The "Seed Research" component under New Researcher funding was extended from one year to three years of support at 100 million won annually. Core Research Type A funding expanded from three years at 70 million won annually to five years at 100 million won annually. These changes aim to build a comprehensive "research growth ladder" connecting Sejong Science Fellowships to New Researcher grants and then to Core Research.
Foreign researcher participation rose to 114 individuals from 24 countries, up 78 from 36 in the same period last year. This increase is attributed to the government's efforts to lower administrative barriers, including accepting research proposals in English.
Regional research capacity also showed marked improvement. Of the 4,628 projects selected in the first half, 2,159 or 47% will be conducted in regions outside the capital area, up 618 projects or 40.1% from 1,541 last year. By region, the capital area accounted for 2,469 projects, the central region 652, the southeastern region 522, the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region 436, the Honam region 221, and special zones 328. The three special zones posted the highest growth rate at 45.1%, followed by Daegu-Gyeongbuk at 43.4% and the central region at 42.4%.
Deputy Prime Minister and Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said, "Since the new government's launch, we have worked tirelessly from securing the largest-ever R&D budget to selecting research projects to restore the collapsed basic research ecosystem. We will closely connect the basic research growth ladder from Sejong to New Researcher to Core Research and ensure seamless support for remaining projects in the second half."