South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT said on Tuesday it will hold a "Local Issue Solution Challenge". The contest links residents' ideas to on-site demonstrations by having experts help flesh out solutions and connect outstanding proposals to field verification.

The challenge will be run around 17 R&D support groups nationwide. Anyone can propose local issues of interest and ideas for solutions using science and technology, regardless of where they live. Selected ideas will be developed into concrete tasks jointly by the relevant R&D support group and the proposer.

After public presentations and evaluations by experts and a public evaluation panel, a total of 6 tasks will be selected: 1 grand prize, 2 top prizes and 3 excellence prizes. The grand prize will receive 10,000,000 won, top prizes 6,000,000 won each, and excellence prizes 3,000,000 won each, for total prize money of 31,000,000 won, along with ministerial awards.

Based on jointly planned content by the proposer and the R&D support group, the ministry will detail follow-up R&D and ways to link to demonstrations. From 2027, it plans to pursue R&D and field demonstrations in connection with related projects.

An "expert challenge" will also be held to apply existing social problem-solving R&D results to local sites. After public presentations, panel discussions and expert consulting, 3 final selections will receive ministerial awards and support for short-term demonstrations and follow-up R&D.

Applicants can apply through the websites of the ministry and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Planning and Evaluation (KISTEP) by 6 p.m. on Oct. 11.

First Vice Minister Hyuk-chae Koo (구혁채) of the ministry said, "The people who know local issues best are the residents living in that area," adding, "We will make it possible to feel that science and technology also play a role in residents' lives and changes in local communities."