Science ministry briefs regional researchers on 2027 basic research budget

South Korea's science ministry said Tuesday that Park In-kyu, head of its science and technology innovation office, met regional university researchers to explain the government's 2027 national research and development budget and the direction of basic research spending, and to hear feedback from the field.

The meeting was arranged to explain the main contents of the 2027 government R&D budget bill, approved at a Cabinet meeting on Sept. 1, to the research field and to discuss basic research support that universities and young researchers can feel directly, the ministry said. Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, junior and mid-career faculty from regional universities, and private-sector experts attended.

Park outlined plans to expand stipends for master's and doctoral students, introduce university block funding giving universities discretion over how research money is used for personnel, facilities and equipment, and newly establish a 10-year regional long-term track so that junior researchers at regional universities can conduct research stably over an extended period.

"Providing stable research opportunities so that young researchers who will lead the future of our science and technology can take on challenges and grow is more important than anything else," Park said. "We will continue stable investment in basic research so that universities and regions can cultivate outstanding talent and researchers can demonstrate their capabilities."