The NRF was founded on June 26, 2009, as a specialized research funding agency through a merger of the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF), the Korea Research Foundation (KRF), and the Korea Foundation for International Cooperation of Science and Technology (KICOS).
The aim of the NRF is to optimize and advance the national basic research funding system that encompasses all academic research fields.
To achieve the goals outlined above,
The NRF will create a research environment and culture where researchers can establish new and challenging research topics and freely engage in research in creative ways.
The NRF will set forth a desirable direction in fostering future talent and enhancing university competencies, providing substantive support for these goals.
The NRF will respect honest research outcomes generated through intricate efforts and strive to fulfill its responsibility of explaining their significance to the public.
The NRF will continue to optimize its working process to allow talented and passionate researchers have confidence in securing stable financial support through fair competition and predictable procedures.
The NRF will prepare for the coming future, with all employees sharing its goals of inspiring and astounding researchers and the public.
The NRF will promote global cooperation and competition through international exchanges in the fields of academia and scientific technologies, with the goal of enhancing Korea’s research competitiveness to an international level.