South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT said on Wednesday it will push ahead with a call for nominations for the 2026 Technology Developers Day government awards, which will honour researchers and research organisations that have led private-sector technology innovation, ahead of the first Technology Developers Day on Sept. 7.

Technology developers are key players in private-sector research and development who directly carry out R&D and technological innovation to boost technological competitiveness.

The awards are designed to strengthen state recognition by covering not only researchers who have produced tangible results at corporate research centres but also workers who contributed to building a private-sector technology innovation ecosystem. This year, the awards will be linked to an event being held for the first time since Technology Developers Day was designated a national commemorative day.

Nominees include those who have led technological innovation at corporate research centres, regardless of position or whether they are current or former employees. Nominations can be made for individuals as well as groups that contributed to building the private-sector technology innovation ecosystem and to national and social development through commercialising outstanding R&D成果 and technology-based businesses.

The ministry said it will focus in particular on identifying unsung contributors, including researchers who were not widely known and organisations that drove changes in the field by turning research results into business.

Bae Kyung-hoon (배경훈), deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, said, "Technological innovation in the field is national competitiveness," adding, "I hope this will be an opportunity for the sweat and efforts of technology developers who have powered our industry to be properly recognised for their value."

Applications are open until May 11. Details are available on the websites of the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Industrial Technology Association.