South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT will select 20 world-class researchers as "leader-level national science and technology figures". Selected researchers will receive 100 million won a year in support funding for up to 5 years.

The ministry on Thursday announced the "2026 National Scientist Support Programme (leader-level national science and technology figures)" and said it is starting the selection process for 20 leader-level national science and technology figures.

The national science and technology researcher system designates outstanding scientists and engineers as national science and technology researchers and recognises and honours them as core national assets.

The leader-level national science and technology figures, selected for the first time this year, will be researchers aged 55 or younger in industry, academia and research institutes who hold South Korean nationality and are carrying out research and technological innovation activities in South Korea. The ministry plans to assess not only research achievements to date but also the potential to sustain and develop world-class research over the next 5 to 10 years.

Candidates can apply through nominations from their institutions. Each institution can recommend up to 3 candidates based on its own selection criteria and screening process. Applications are also possible through recommendations from at least 3 international scholars or from a data-based discovery committee. In such cases, they are not counted toward the number of nominees recommended by each institution.

Selection screening will proceed in two stages: field-specific screening and final screening. It will comprehensively evaluate achievements and influence, the possibility of reaching the world's top level through national scientist support, and contributions to the nation, economy and society.

It will also consider research characteristics by institution type, including universities, government-funded research institutes and industry. It plans to review balance across academic fields based on 16 national science and technology standard classifications to avoid concentrating on particular scientific or engineering fields.

Selected researchers will be granted the title of "National Science and Technology Researcher" and a certificate in the name of the president. They will also receive honours including participation in establishing major national science and technology policies and research and development strategies, domestic and overseas promotion, invitations as guests of honour to major national science and technology events, and an immigration fast track.

Leader-level national science and technology figures will receive 100 million won a year in support funding for up to 5 years. The ministry plans to apply existing R&D funding制度 flexibly so researchers can continue their research activities autonomously.

The application period runs from Sept. 21 to next month’s Oct. 12. The ministry will hold a programme briefing at 2 p.m. on Sept. 16 at Royal Hotel Seoul in Myeongdong, Seoul.

Bae Kyung-hoon (배경훈), deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, said, "We will actively support leader-level national science and technology figures so they can further raise their research level and international influence and contribute to the development of science and technology as researchers representing the Republic of Korea."