Abstract
This study analyzed trends in geoscientific research funding provided by the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF) and examined strategies to promote geoscientific research. The strengths of geoscientific research in South Korea include the excellent academic quality of researchers, established research infrastructure, and inter-disciplinary research. Weaknesses include insufficient leadership in related societies and institutes, insufficient research productivity, and the exclusion of the field from nationally supported large-scale research projects. Opportunities for expanded research include environmental issues, the sustainable use of natural resources, the promotion of international research cooperation, and the initiation of national efforts to find solutions for regional problems. However, growth in the geosciences is threatened by prioritized investment in fields such as biotechnology, nanoscience, and information technology, a dismissive attitude toward the growth of basic sciences, and an increased demand for projects with visible economic and societal impacts. In terms of funding, group-based programs receive more support than individual-based programs. Between 1978 and 2006, KOSEF invested 1,744 billion won ($1.873 billion US) in a total of 46,748 basic research projects. Of this amount, 62.1 billion won ($66.7 million US) was allocated to 1,901 projects in the geosciences, which was roughly 2.6-10.6% of the money available in a given year. These funds were used to support research and development, the development and maintenance of necessary infrastructure, and the education and training of geoscientists.
