South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT said on Wednesday it held a Limit Challenge R&D meeting chaired by First Vice Minister Koo Hyuk-chae (구혁채).

The Limit Challenge R&D project supports challenging research with a high likelihood of failure but potentially large scientific, economic and social impact if successful. Lead programme managers with expertise closely manage the entire R&D process, from analysing technology trends and identifying research topics to project planning, progress checks and dissemination of results.

The meeting was held following the formation of the second group of lead programme managers for the Limit Challenge initiative. It was aimed at advancing a PM-centred professional management system and strengthening cooperation between researchers and PMs. Participants agreed that innovation challenge R&D requires full-cycle management capabilities beyond funding, including clear problem definition, bold target-setting, systematic progress checks, flexible path adjustments and dissemination of results.

Limit Challenge R&D draws on the operating methods of innovation R&D management organisations in major countries, such as the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the UK Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). The ministry plans to develop a Korean-style innovation challenge R&D management model based on overseas cases and reflecting domestic R&D systems and research site characteristics.

Koo said DARPA and ARIA share in common giving clear missions and authority to outstanding experts and increasing the potential for innovation through rapid decision-making and flexible management. He said the ministry will spread the Limit Challenge R&D approach to advance a Korean-style innovation challenge R&D management model and raise the level of challenge and innovation across government R&D.