South Korea moves to ease research grant paperwork for universities

- National Research Foundation holds talks with university industry-academic cooperation councils

- Simplification of materials documentation and changes to meeting expense rules under way

Participants pose for a photo at a meeting between the National Research Foundation of Korea and heads of university industry-academic cooperation councils and research offices nationwide. [National Research Foundation of Korea]

South Korea is set to significantly streamline the complex administrative procedures that have long burdened university researchers. Small research projects worth less than 50 million won ($37,400) will be subject to sample-based settlement, while documentation requirements for research materials and standards for meeting expenses will also be eased.

The National Research Foundation of Korea held a meeting Friday with the National Council of University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundations and Research Office Directors to discuss ways to reduce the administrative burden on researchers and improve their focus on research.

The meeting was attended by Kim Tae-geun, chair of the council, along with regional vice chairs, and directors of industry-academic cooperation foundations and research offices from universities across the country.

The foundation briefed university representatives on key research funding system improvements being implemented this year. The measures cover simplifying documentation for research materials expenditures, allocating integrated construction and operating costs for research facilities and equipment, sample-based settlement for projects under 50 million won, revised standards for meal expenses at meetings, relaxed software contract period requirements, a shift to a negative regulation system for indirect costs, and the introduction of a new research innovation fund.

Hong Won-hwa, president of the National Research Foundation of Korea, speaks at a meeting with heads of university industry-academic cooperation councils and research offices nationwide. [National Research Foundation of Korea]

Particular attention was paid to ensuring the newly introduced research innovation fund, launched this year, takes stable root in university research settings, with participants sharing views on anticipated challenges and directions for improvement in the system's operation.

The foundation said it plans to refine the research innovation fund system by reviewing feedback from the field and operational results gathered during the pilot program. The focus will be on reducing unnecessary administrative burdens on researchers while maintaining transparency in research fund management.

"The voices of industry-academic cooperation foundation directors and research office directors are paramount if national research and development projects and systems are to provide genuine help on the ground," said Hong Won-hwa, president of the National Research Foundation of Korea. "We will faithfully serve as a bridge connecting government policy and the research scene, creating an environment where researchers can focus more deeply on their work."

nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com