The South Korean government will invest 289.5 billion won (approximately $2.89 billion) from this year until 2031 to develop research centers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into global technology hubs. This initiative aims to support research and development (R&D) in advanced industries such as semiconductors and secondary batteries, linking it with overseas validation and global commercialization.
On September 14, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it will hold a ceremony in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, to award certificates to the 2026 Global Excellent Technology Research Centers (GATC). This year, 17 companies, including Sam CNS, have been selected.
The GATC program supports research centers affiliated with SMEs that possess technological capabilities and export potential. The goal is to connect domestic technological competitiveness with overseas market entry and to enhance research capabilities to compete with global leading companies.
The program will run for six years, from this year until 2031. Of the total budget of 289.5 billion won, 211.94 billion won will come from the national government, focusing on eight sectors: semiconductors, secondary batteries, future mobility, core materials, intelligent robotics, advanced manufacturing, advanced biotechnology, and displays.
Selected companies will receive R&D funding along with global collaboration programs. They will be supported in conducting joint research with leading overseas research institutions and utilizing advanced research facilities and equipment. The program will also facilitate global talent exchange and technology validation through overseas testbeds.
During the commercialization phase following technology development, the program will provide support for private investment linkage and technology and market consulting. The aim is to assist in transforming research outcomes into actual products and services and establishing a foothold in overseas markets.
Since the program includes both overseas testbed validation and market consulting, the key performance indicators will likely focus on not only the results of technology development but also the implementation of products that meet local demand and securing sales channels. The extent to which joint research translates into actual exports and commercialization will be crucial in assessing the program's effectiveness.
This initiative follows the Excellent Technology Research Center (ATC) program, which began in 2003, and its successor, the Excellent Enterprise Research Center (ATC+). According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, a total of 701 research centers have been designated through these two programs. Designated companies have seen an average revenue growth of 40%, with 108 companies listed on the stock market and 28 companies surpassing 100 billion won in sales.
The ministry aims to enhance its support for corporate research centers by adding global collaboration and commercialization assistance to its existing experience, responding to the competition for technological supremacy.
Lee Min-woo, head of the Industrial Growth Office at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated, "Through the GATC program, we will concentrate all government policy capabilities to ensure that our SMEs with unique technological prowess can secure super-gap technologies to lead the global market."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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