The Ministry of Science and ICT is calling for innovative research and development ideas to address national and social challenges in fields such as advanced bio, AI humanoids, and quantum technology. The ministry announced on the 15th that it will hold the ‘K-Moonshot Project National Contest’ from the 16th to January 15th next year to discover challenging R&D ideas that can change the future of South Korea.
The term ‘Moonshot’ originates from NASA’s Apollo project, which launched a lunar probe in 1969, symbolizing innovative and challenging goals. The K-Moonshot Project, promoted as a national task by the new government, aims to foster future strategic technologies and solve national challenges by setting clear missions and boldly challenging R&D.
The contest topics include advanced bio, AI humanoids, quantum, space and aviation, semiconductors, displays, secondary batteries, materials and nano, and future energy, focusing on national strategic technologies and innovative R&D ideas to solve national and social challenges. The contest is divided into general public and researcher categories, with the general public focusing on problem definition and ideas, and researchers able to submit professional and detailed proposals.
Selected outstanding ideas will be announced and awarded in March next year after professional evaluation. The grand prize includes the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Award and a prize of 3 million won, while the excellence prize includes the President of the National Research Foundation Award and a prize of 1 million won. First Vice Minister of Science and ICT Koo Hyuk-chae stated, ‘The K-Moonshot Project aims for high-risk, high-reward R&D that, if successful, can have a significant impact on the nation’s future.’