The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation will close applications for the National Scientists and Engineers Program, which selects 20 representative Korean scientists and engineers, on the 12th.
National Scientists and Engineers are researchers from industry, academia, and research institutions who are under 55 years old, academically outstanding, and have made significant contributions to industry and the economy among domestic scientists and engineers. As the scope of selection has expanded to the industrial sector, researchers employed at companies are now eligible to apply, in addition to those in academia or national research institutional investors.
National Scientists and Engineers are honored as core national assets. They are awarded the title of National Scientist and Engineer and a certificate issued in the name of the President, and are invited as guests of honor to major national science and technology events. Fast-track benefits for entry and exit from the country also apply. In addition, they receive research support funds of 100 million won per year for up to five years, and participate in formulating major national science and technology policies and R&D (Research and Development) strategies.
Selection is conducted through recommendations by institutional investors. Affiliated institutional investors such as universities, government-funded research institutional investors, and companies recommend up to three researchers who have achieved remarkable results in 16 science and technology fields according to the "16th National Science and Technology Standard Classification System" by early this month. The recommended individuals then submit their representative achievements, including papers and patents, along with a "self-introduction letter," to the National Research Foundation by the 12th.
Candidate evaluations are conducted separately for academia and industry. Researchers affiliated with academia, such as universities, are evaluated primarily on "academic excellence," while researchers from government-funded research institutions or industry are evaluated primarily on "technological innovation" and "contribution to industry and the economy." Furthermore, since the goal is to select researchers who will become the "face of the nation," plans are in place to scrutinize moral integrity with the utmost care.
However, this does not constitute "lifetime honor." The support period is up to five years, and an interim evaluation is conducted three years after selection. Based on the evaluation results, it is decided whether to continue support for the remaining two years.
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to select 20 individuals each year from 2027 onward, aiming to fill a total of 100 leader-level National Scientists and Engineers by 2030.
in TECH
