- 2,176 new projects under the 2025 Basic Research Project (Round 2) selected, with support beginning September 1
– “Pioneering Research” (160 projects, KRW 14.9 billion) to explore new academic frontiers, and “Strategic Research” (140 projects, KRW 26.5 billion) to address national agendas, fostering an innovative and pioneering research culture
– “Seed Research” grants (530 projects, KRW 48.9 billion) to guarantee early research opportunities for young investigators
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Minister Bae Kyunghoon) announced that, following the call and evaluation for Round 2 of 2025 Basic Research Projects, it has selected 2,176 projects (KRW 175.5 billion) across several categories, including Mid-Career Research (Creative), Excellent Early-Career Research (Seed), Pioneering Research, and Basic Research for National Agendas. Funding will begin on September 1.
2025 Basic Research Program (Individual Research), Round 2 — Selected Projects
Category Description No. of Projects Budget
Mid-Career Research (Creative) Creative For S&T researchers, KRW 70 million/year, up to 3 years 1,291 KRW 81.0B
Early-Career Research (Seed) Seed For new tenure-track faculty, KRW 100 million/year, 1 year 530 KRW 48.9B
Sejong Fellowship (Overseas) For postdocs, KRW 70 million/year, 1 year 50 KRW 3.7B
International Collaboration (Global Matching, UK) For new tenure-track faculty, KRW 120 million/year, up to 3 years 5 KRW 0.5B
Pioneering Research For S&T researchers, KRW 100 million/year, up to 3 years 160 KRW 14.9B
National Agenda Research For S&T researchers, KRW 200 million/year, up to 3 years 140 KRW 26.5B
In this round, Mid-Career Research (Creative), which provides broad-based support for smaller projects across disciplines, accounted for the largest share, with 1,291 projects selected.
Example — Mid-Career Research: “Supporting the Integration of International Researchers”
PI: Prof. Tong Hoang Anh, Department of Artificial Intelligence, Korea University
Background: Bachelor’s degree, Hanoi University (2013) → PhD, UNIST (2021) → Postdoc, KAIST (until 2023) → Professor, Korea University (2024)
Project Overview: Development of a new general-purpose AI foundation model to improve time-series analysis performance
This round also included three newly introduced categories—Seed Research, Pioneering Research, and National Agenda Research—which will not only expand the safety net for early-career researchers but also strengthen the innovation and strategic relevance of basic research.
“Seed Research”
Seed Research supports new faculty in securing early opportunities to build research capability. A total of 530 young investigators will be funded in 2025 to support their stable establishment.
Example — Early-Career Research: “Laying the Groundwork for Growth”
PI: Prof. Seo Jun-yong, Department of Mechanical & Automotive Engineering, College of Engineering, Kongju National University
Background: PhD, KAIST (2023) → Assistant Professor, Kongju National University (2025)
*Youngest recipient in this round (born 1996)
Project: Development of metamaterial design methods for simultaneous control of radiative spectra and direction
“Pioneering Research”
Pioneering Research is designed to explore emerging fields sparked by fundamental questions, rather than incremental extensions of established research. Evaluation focuses on boldness and potential for transformative impact. To encourage researcher initiative, the usual “one PI–one project” rule is waived, and interim reviews are omitted.
Example — Pioneering Research: “Creative and Pioneering Research Opening New Paradigms”
PI: Prof. Lee Sung-chul, Department of Life Sciences, Chung-Ang University
Project Overview: Development of an “edible battery” using pigments derived from chili peppers
Significance: Unlike conventional batteries reliant on rare metals, deriving electrode materials from common food ingredients represents a creative departure from conventional approaches. By enabling biocompatible internal power sources, the study opens a new frontier with the potential to transform medical device paradigms.
“National Agenda Research”
This program supports strategic basic research aligned with national and societal needs, enabling basic research to underpin government policies. For 2025, the government identified 12 strategic technology fields and invited researchers to propose projects within those domains, adopting a “middle-up” approach.
In addition, the Sejong Science Fellowship (Overseas)—also beginning September 1—will support outstanding postdocs in overseas training, particularly in strategic technology fields, to help them build global research capabilities and broaden future career paths.
First Vice Minister of MSIT Koo Hyuk Chae stated,
“Alongside restoring the basic research ecosystem through core programs, we must also work to enhance innovation and strategic relevance. We will continue to engage in close communication with the research community to chart the future course of basic research.”