South Korea Opens 2nd Call for 2026 Health & Medical R&D Projects

South Korea Launches Second Call for 2026 Health R&D Proposals

The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has announced its second call for proposals for the 2026 Health and Medical Technology Research and Development (R&D) projects. This significant initiative invites researchers, institutions, and organizations to submit innovative project ideas aimed at advancing public health and medical science within the nation.

Designated as Public Notice No. 2026-313, this funding opportunity underscores the Korean government’s continuous commitment to fostering cutting-edge research and development in the health sector. The projects are strategically designed to enhance Korea’s medical capabilities, stimulate industry growth, and address crucial health challenges facing the population.

The second round of applications for 2026 focuses on three primary areas:

• Global Accelerator-based Scale-up Support: This program aims to help promising health technology startups and research outcomes expand their operations and reach internationally, managed by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI).
• Researcher-led Clinical Research Support: Dedicated to encouraging and funding clinical trials and studies independently proposed and executed by researchers, also managed by KHIDI.
• Regional Medical Innovation R&D Project: This initiative focuses on developing and implementing healthcare solutions specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of various regions across South Korea, with management by KHIDI.

Prospective applicants, including universities, research institutes, and companies involved in health and medical technology, are encouraged to apply. Detailed eligibility criteria, specific requirements for each program, and comprehensive guidelines are available in the official announcement documents.

Interested parties must submit their proposals through the nationwide integrated research support system, known as the National Research & Development Information System (IRIS). This centralized online portal, accessible at www.iris.go.kr, serves as the single point of contact for all submissions. The application period runs from April 7, 2026, to May 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM Korea Standard Time (KST). Applicants are strongly advised to review the full Request for Proposals (RFP) documents, which provide essential details for successful submission, well in advance of the deadline.

Source: 보건복지부 — Original Article (Korean)