New planning rules for research institutes

A revised law will require the science ministry to create a basic plan every five years for supporting operations and research at government-funded science and technology research institutes and research councils.

The planning requirement will strengthen systematic support for the operation and research work of the institutes and councils. Abolishing reappointment for institute heads will improve the operation of the current system.

Before creating a plan, the science minister must hear the research councils' views. Each basic plan must outline the medium- and long-term development direction for the institutes and councils, basic projects and their funding plans. It can also cover other operational matters prescribed by ministerial ordinance. The National Science and Technology Advisory Council must deliberate on the plan before it is finalized.

The amendment abolishes reappointment for heads of the research institutes. Except for unavoidable reasons prescribed by presidential decree, a board chair must start the procedure set out in the law at least three months before a serving institute head's term ends. Reappointment procedures begun before the revised provision took effect will continue under prior rules.

The law took effect, although the new five-year planning provision will take effect six months after it was promulgated.