The first National Scientist and Engineer Program, which aims to select 20 outstanding scientists and engineers, will close its application period on the 12th. The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea will accept applications for leader-level national scientists and engineers until 6 p.m. on the 12th.
Leader-level national scientists and engineers are researchers in industry, academia, or research institutions who are under 55 years old, possess outstanding academic achievements, and have made significant contributions to industry and the economy. 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 institutions.
National scientists and engineers will be honored as core national assets. They will be awarded the title of National Scientist and Engineer and a certificate issued in the name of the President, and invited as guests of honor to major national science and technology events. Fast-track benefits for entry and exit from the country will also apply. In addition, they will receive research funding 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 institutions. Affiliated institutions such as universities, government-funded research institutes, and companies will recommend up to three researchers who have achieved remarkable results in one of the 16th science and technology fields under the '16th National Science and Technology Standard Classification System' by early this month. The recommended individuals must then submit their representative achievements, including papers and patents, along with a self-introduction letter, to the National Research Foundation of Korea by the 12th.
Separate from institutional recommendations, an 'Excavation Committee' will also operate. Based on academic data, the committee selects and recommends a small number of individuals. It is reported that the Excavation Committee will focus on three out of the 16th science and technology fields, but it has not disclosed which three fields these are. The 16 fields include mathematics, physics, chemistry, earth sciences, life sciences, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food, health and medicine, machinery, materials, chemical engineering, electrical and electronics, information and communication, energy and resources, nuclear power, environment, and construction and transportation.
Candidate evaluations will be conducted separately for academia and industry. Researchers affiliated with academic institutions such as universities will be evaluated primarily on 'academic excellence,' while researchers from government-funded research institutes or the industrial sector will be evaluated primarily on 'technological innovation' and 'contribution to industry and the economy.' Furthermore, since the program aims 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 is not a 'lifetime honor.' The support period is up to five years, and selected individuals will undergo an interim evaluation three years after selection. Based on the evaluation results, it will be decided whether to continue support for the remaining two years.
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to select 20 individuals annually from 2027 onward, aiming to fill a total of 100 leader-level national scientists and engineers by 2030.
Programs that select and support scientists representing the nation vary in form from country to country. China is a representative example. According to a report by the South China Morning Post last month, the National Natural Science Foundation of China recently selected 44 top-tier scientists under the age of 35 to provide research funding for up to 15 years. It is known that the scale of support has been expanded compared to the 2023 level. As of 2023, the support funds these scientists receive over 15 years amount to a maximum of approximately 5.5 billion won.
in TECH
