- Implement 330 new projects valued at KRW 46.1 billion to promote international joint research and attract top global talent
- Elevate Korea’s presence in international cooperation by increasing support for the Horizon Europe Program and promoting new multilateral Trans-Pacific Program
- Establish a robust research security system on-site by founding new research security centers at universities and launching projects to enhance research security
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae Kyung-hoon) hosted the first 2026 S&T and ICT Steering Committee for Globalization Projects (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Steering Committee’) to present and approve seven agendas, including the 2026 Implementation Plan for the Globalization of S&T and ICT.
The major agendas are as follows:
| Implementation Plan for the 2026 S&T and ICT Globalization Project (Draft) |
The MSIT has established a plan to implement international S&T and ICT cooperation projects in 2026. In the initial stage, it will lay the groundwork for continous, significant outcomes by launching 330 new international R&D projects with total funding of KRW 46.1 billion. These projects will focus on national key strategic technologies and basic research, including AI, quantum, advanced materials, and semiconductors. Furthermore, support will be provided to establish sustainable cooperation platforms for joint research among top-tier R&D institutes both domestically and abroad.
| Implementation Roadmap for the Trans-Pacific Research Cooperation Initiative (Draft) |
As the world faces shared unprecedented challenges, such as climate change and pandemics, the significance of seeking solutions through advanced science and technology continues to grow. In this regard, the MSIT is launching a Korea-led multilateral research cooperation initiative, tentatively named as Trans-Pacific Research Cooperation Initiative. This year, the MSIT aims to build consensus among candidate countries willing to participate, with plans to establish a secretariat and kick off programs in the coming year.
| Implementation Plan for Research Security Center at Universities (Draft) |
Establishing a solid foundation for research security has become essential to securing technology sovereignty and gaining international trust. This is crucial because it protects the research ecosystem from potential risks within an international research environment characterized by openness and high autonomy. These research security centers are expected to effectively protect our researchers and research assets, while establishing an on-site research security system to facilitate international cooperation.
| Plan to Designate Additional Global-Korea Innovation Centers (Draft) |
The significance of global centers as strategic hubs continues to grow as international cooperation in science and technology becomes increasingly crucial. To this end, the MSIT designated seven Global-Korea Innovation Centers (G-KIC) with excellent capabilities in December 2024 and has since been facilitating collaboration and engagement among these centers by strengthening support for international cooperation.
* KIC Silicon Valley, ETRI North America Research Cooperation Center, KIC Washington D.C.,
korea-EU science technology cooperation center, KIST Europe, Korea-India research cooperation center, KITECH Indonesia
Starting this year, the Korea-China Science & Technology Cooperation Center was designated as a new G-KIC center. The Asia-Pacific region, which was formerly managed as a single entity, will be split into East Asia and other APAC regions, in order to drive better connectivity and collaboration.
| 2026 Operational Plan for Horizon Europe Dedicated Unit (Draft) |
In July last year, Korea joined Horizon Europe, a multilateral research and innovation program, as an associated member after signing an agreement with the European Commission. To expand domestic researchers' participation in Horizon Europe, the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) established the Horizon Multilateral Cooperation Team, a dedicated unit, to support these research activities.
Hwang Sung-hoon, Director-General for International Cooperation at the MSIT, emphasized, “As the global competition for technological supremacy intensifies, international cooperation in science, technology, and ICT is more important than ever.” He added, “In addition to expanding investments in joint research and talent recruitment, it is also essential to diversify cooperation and improve the legal and institutional foundations.” He further stated, “Through this, we will do our best to secure global leadership from a medium- to long-term perspective, rather than focusing on short-term results.”
For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Please refer to the attached PDF.