The Ministry of Science and ICT said it is moving to significantly expand researchers’ discretion in using grant funds and to streamline what it called unnecessary administrative rules, aiming to let scientists focus more on research and less on paperwork.
The ministry said a revision to the enforcement decree of the National Research and Development Innovation Act was approved at a Cabinet meeting on the 28th.
The revision is a follow-up to the “R&D ecosystem innovation plan to lead the future through science and technology” announced in November 2025, which called for easing administrative regulations and improving conditions for researchers.
To broaden flexibility for individual researchers, the decree creates a new direct-cost budget category called “research innovation expenses.” Under the new category, researchers may spend funds more freely — without subdividing items — for costs needed to carry out projects, including research materials, business travel and meeting expenses. The ministry said the category may be used up to 10% of direct costs, capped at 50 million won, and documentation requirements will be minimized to reduce administrative burdens. The system will apply to selected programs starting in June 2026 and will be fully implemented in 2027.
The ministry also said it will shift how institutions use indirect costs to a “negative regulation” approach. Previously, indirect costs could be spent only on listed items; under the change, institutions may broadly spend on research-related costs except for items explicitly prohibited. The ministry said this will allow more flexible responses to new needs such as fees for artificial intelligence services. This change will take effect immediately upon promulgation.
The decree does not fully liberalize indirect-cost spending. It specifies certain items as prohibited to maintain minimum controls. Commonly barred uses include payments a university-industry cooperation foundation makes to a university without consideration for carrying out an R&D project; costs such as damages and penalties; and expenses unrelated to research.
For personnel support funds, prohibited items include additional pay for researchers or support staff already receiving salaries, as well as scholarships such as merit-based graduate awards or teaching assistant scholarships.
For research support funds, prohibited items include costs that function as rewards for winning R&D contracts, as well as construction and building remodeling expenses.
The ministry said it also revised smaller rules that had caused inconvenience in the field. It abolished a requirement for prior approval before using meeting expenses, and it will simplify supporting documents required for spending on research materials.
Park In-gyu, head of the ministry’s Science and Technology Innovation Office, said, “We are continuously improving the system so researchers can focus on research without administrative burdens,” adding, “We will actively identify regulations that hinder research immersion and continue additional improvements.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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