S. Korea to select 20 'national team' scientists, offering W500m in research funding over 5 years

The government will select 20 "national team" scientists to lead South Korea's science and technology sector, providing each with 100 million won ($74,700) per year for up to five years.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced Friday it had launched the selection process for the "2026 National Scientist Support Project (Leader-Level National Scientists of Science and Technology)."

The national scientist system was established to recognize outstanding researchers and engineers as core national assets and to elevate their research quality and international influence to world-class levels.

This year's inaugural cohort of leader-level national scientists will be drawn from researchers in industry, academia and government research institutes who hold South Korean citizenship, conduct research and technology innovation activities domestically, and are 55 or younger. The government plans to select 20 scientists annually starting this year, building toward a total pool of 100.

The selection will not focus solely on existing achievements such as published papers and research results. Evaluators will also assess each candidate's potential to sustain and advance world-class research over the next five to 10 years, as well as the broader impact they could have on the national science and technology ecosystem.

Candidates may apply through a recommendation from their affiliated institution, which may nominate up to three researchers after applying its own selection criteria and procedures. Applications are also accepted through recommendations from at least three internationally recognized scholars or through a data-driven discovery committee.

The review will proceed in two stages: a field-specific screening and a final selection review. Evaluators will comprehensively assess each researcher's achievements and influence, potential to grow into a world-leading researcher, and contributions to the nation, economy and society. The process will also consider balance across academic disciplines, drawing on the research characteristics of different institutional types — universities, government-funded research institutes and industry — as well as the 16 national science and technology standard classifications.

Selected researchers will receive the title of "National Scientist of Science and Technology" along with a certificate issued in the president's name. They will also participate in shaping major national science and technology policies and research and development strategies. Additional benefits include invitations as guests of honor at major national science and technology events, domestic and international promotional support, and fast-track immigration processing.

Each selected researcher will receive 100 million won in annual support for up to five years. The funding will be administered more flexibly than existing research and development grant systems, allowing researchers to pursue their work with greater autonomy.

Applications will be accepted through the Integrated Research Support System (IRIS) from Sept. 21 to Oct. 12.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon said, "Ultimately, people are the key to a nation's scientific and technological competitiveness." He added that the ministry would "actively support the selected leader-level national scientists so they can further enhance their research quality and international influence and contribute to scientific and technological advancement as researchers representing South Korea."