The government will support research institutes in hiring replacement and additional research staff to prevent research gaps and career breaks for researchers during childbirth and childcare.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Foundation for the Promotion of Women in Science and Technology said on Sunday they will recruit participating institutions for the second half of the 2026 Support Programme for the Use of Replacement Staff in Science and Technology Research and Development (R&D) until July 13.

The programme supports labour costs for replacement staff and additional research staff at affiliated research institutes so researchers during childbirth and childcare can continue research activities while taking leave, reducing working hours or using flexible work arrangements. The programme, launched in 2018, has supported a total of 987 replacement workers to date.

The total support scale this year is 233 people, and about 100 will be selected in the second half. The programme will operate in two types: support for replacement staff for researchers on leave or reduced hours, and support for additional research staff for researchers during childcare.

Under the support type for researchers on leave or reduced hours, the programme provides labour costs to research institutes that newly hire staff to take over the duties of researchers on maternity or childcare leave or researchers working reduced hours. It supports up to 21 million won a year for bachelor's and master's level staff and up to 23 million won a year for doctoral-level staff. Depending on the leave or reduced-hours period, support can be provided for up to 15 months.

Under the support type for researchers during childcare, the programme supports the cost of hiring additional research staff so researchers with children under 12 can continue research while using flexible work arrangements. For bachelor's and master's level staff serving as intern researchers, it provides up to 10 million won a year for up to 1 year. For doctoral researchers, it provides up to 30 million won a year for up to 2 years.

Institutions seeking to participate should apply by 6 p.m. on July 13 to the regional application office depending on the area where the supported staff will work. Institutions that do not finish hiring within the notice period can also apply as institutions planning to hire. The ministry plans an additional recruitment in September.

Lee Jun-bae (이준배), director general for future talent policy at the ministry, said career breaks for researchers during childcare do not stop at individual losses and lead to a weakening of national science and technology capabilities. He said the ministry will continue to expand field-focused support so talented science and technology personnel do not stop research due to childbirth and childcare.