First Steps After Selection
Being selected for a government R&D project is cause for celebration, but the real work of project management begins immediately. Systematic management is required from agreement signing through fund receipt, research execution, mid-term reviews, final reporting, and settlement.
The first task is executing the agreement between the lead research institution and the managing agency. The agreement specifies the research content, funding amount, performance period, and performance targets—all subsequent project management is conducted based on this agreement.
Key Project Management Timeline
Research Fund Execution Rules and Regulations
Research fund execution must strictly comply with the National R&D Innovation Act. You must accurately understand the usage standards for each budget category and execute funds according to proper procedures.
Research funds are broadly divided into personnel costs, direct costs, and indirect costs. Each category has defined spending limits and execution standards, and there are restrictions on transferring funds between categories. Equipment purchases in particular often require prior approval.
Major Budget Categories
Precautions for Fund Execution
Misuse of research funds can lead to serious consequences including project termination, fund recovery, and participation restrictions. Therefore, several core principles must be observed during fund execution.
All research fund expenditures must be made through a dedicated research fund account (card), and supporting documentation must be meticulously maintained. Personal use is strictly prohibited, and any unauthorized use discovered must be immediately returned.
Mid-Term Review and Performance Management
The mid-term review is a critical phase for checking project progress and adjusting the research direction if necessary. To receive a favorable mid-term evaluation, you must clearly demonstrate achievement rates against targets.
Performance management is equally important. Both quantitative outputs (publications, patents, prototypes, revenue) and qualitative technical achievements must be systematically recorded and reported. Failure to meet performance targets may result in project termination or disadvantages when applying for future projects.
KITIM's Support
The Korea Institute of Technology Innovation Management (KITIM) supports the entire lifecycle of government R&D project management, from post-selection administration through settlement. KITIM provides professional assistance at every stage including research fund execution consulting, mid-term review preparation, final report writing, and settlement support. If you are experiencing difficulties with project management, please contact KITIM.