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    About the Program
    Program Overview
    Background and Necessity
    In response to intensifying global competition over technological supremacy, the importance of international R&D collaboration has rapidly emerged. There is a growing need to swiftly implement government policies and ensure the sustainability of global R&D efforts.
    • As competition around cutting-edge technology intensifies, strategic international cooperation among countries is becoming increasingly essential. South Korea has reinforced its policy support through high-level national strategies and action plans.
      • The perception of science and technology has shifted toward a domain of rivalry and exclusivity, with major nations striving to enhance their technological edge through bilateral or small-scale multilateral international R&D collaboration with allied countries.
      • The Korean government has implemented various strategies across ministries and significantly expanded its global R&D budget (in 2023), establishing a stronger foundation for international scientific and technological cooperation.
    • The Top-Tier Program is being launched as a model of advanced international R&D collaboration that also ensures long-term sustainability, aiming to generate world-first and world-best research outcomes.
      • By supporting package-type international R&D cooperation, the program presents clearly defined implementation criteria and focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of international collaboration.
      • The Top-Tier Program represents the most advanced positioning within the Ministry of Science and ICT’s international cooperation R&D initiatives, offering comprehensive policy support.
    Program Concept
    • The Top-Tier Program is the first national-level international R&D initiative that practically applies the concept of a strategic and systematic global cooperation platform.
    • Purpose : To establish a sustainable collaboration platform targeting top-tier domestic and international research institutions, aiming to solve global challenges and achieve world-class, first-of-its-kind technological breakthroughs.
    • Objective : Integrate previously fragmented international collaboration mechanisms—such as joint research and personnel exchange—into a unified package-type system. The goal is to establish approximately 10 sustainable platforms over 10 years.
    Program Scalee
    Category Research Projects Consortium-Wide Management Project
    No. of Projects Around 4 projects (consortiums) 1 project
    Funding_(2024) Approx. KRW 2.3 billion/project Approx. KRW 800 million
    Duration Total 10 years (3+4+3 phases) Up to 10 years (evaluated every 3 years)
    Definition and Structure of the Collaboration Platform
    Definition
    • A tangible and intangible platform that enables comprehensive policy tools for collaborative Research among Domestic and International R&D Innovation Stakeholders, personnel exchange, knowledge sharing, and physical cooperation hubs.
    Structure
    • Pillar 1
      Innovative R&D
      • International Joint Research : Strategic, long-term international R&D collaboration between top-tier institutions
      • Research Infrastructure : Development and joint utilization of high-quality research infrastructure
      Create world-class,
      first-of-its-kind research outcomes
    • Pillar 2
      Global STI Capacity
      • Researcher Mobility / Personnel Exchange : Bidirectional exchange of top-tier researchers between domestic and global institutions
      • Knowledge and Information Exchange : Information exchange on science and technology policy, issues, and research trends
      Strengthen global science &
      technology innovation capabilities
    • Pillar 3
      Sustainable Cooperation System
      • Open Collaboration Model : Establish open collaboration models incorporating international collaboration experience and advanced research culture
      • Self-Sustaining Collaboration Hub : Enable global expansion of Korean institutions and institutionalize cooperation systems
      Secure long-term sustainability
      through institutional collaboration hubs
    Inquiries
    For further information, please contact: survey@inithink.co.kr