[Digital Today reporter Jin-ho Lee (이진호)] The government will strengthen cooperation with private and public support agencies to promote technology transfer and commercialisation of outcomes from high-risk, high-reward research and development (R&D).

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea held 'Challenge ASTRA Day' in Seoul on Monday and discussed ways to expand the results of Challenge R&D.

Challenge R&D is a programme in which a lead program manager (PM) with expertise designs high-impact, high-risk and high-reward research topics. It pushes development of transformative technologies through close management of the R&D process and progress checks.

Eight research topics are being pursued in bio, materials and climate energy, including memory storage, modification and regeneration technology; a mental health platform; room-temperature single-photon generation technology; a lubricant-coating material to replace per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; and prediction technology for extreme climate and weather changes. The research period runs from 2024 to 2027 or 2028.

The event was attended by the Samsung Electronics Future Technology Incubation Center, the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology Commercialization, and researchers carrying out Challenge R&D projects. Participants shared linkage plans to support follow-on R&D, technology transfer and startups based on research outcomes.

The contents and progress of research projects under way since 2024 were also presented. Participants also shared the approach and progress of private and public-sector support for challenging research, including the Samsung Future Technology Development Program and science and technology commercialisation support programmes. The Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology Commercialization presented ways to support technology verification, follow-on R&D, technology transfer and startups depending on the characteristics and maturity of research outcomes.

The ministry plans to strengthen cooperation among related institutions. It will also review specific linkage measures to support follow-on research and technology commercialisation of Challenge R&D outcomes.

Koo Hyuk-chae (구혁채), first vice minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "As Challenge R&D enters an intermediate stage, we will strengthen links with diverse private and public follow-on support programmes so researchers can develop technologies while keeping in mind the possibility of expanding outcomes."