Technology Transfer Center for National R&D Programs

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Question)	Does the Center provide funds to support National R&D programs?
Answer)	The Center does not provide research funds. It is an institute to support utilization of the research outcomes.



Question)	Is it possible to transfer the research outcomes of “the Frontier R&D Programs” to foreign companies?
Answer)	In principle, Korean enterprises are given priority to make contracts for technology transfer. It is possible, however, to make contracts with a foreign enterprise when it seems more appropriate to transfer technology abroad in terms of, for instance, the size of markets, willingness and capacities of the contracting party and the conditions for technology transfer. In practice, over the last five years some contracts have been signed with foreign companies.



Question)	How can I find out technologies available for transfer?
Answer)	Please give us your inquiries in detail using the Q&A menu in this site.



Question)	What are “the Frontier Programs”?
Answer)	Main areas of “the Frontier Programs” are bio-technology, nano-technology and environment technology. Korea's renowned universities and public research institutes are participating in the programs. There are two Frontier Programs. The first one is “the 21st Century Frontier Program”, which has been funded from 2000 to 2012, covering 16 areas, and the second one is “the Global Frontier Program”, which will be carried out from 2010 to 2020 in 7 areas. Each project would get research fund of about 100 billion won (100 million USD) a year from the government for 10 years. They can get additional fund from private sectors. For more details, please refer to the menu, “Frontier Programs”.



Question)	What is the role of the Center during technology transfer process?
Answer)	Researchers of the Frontier Programs can request the Center’s support when there are needs and possibilities of technology transfer. The Center examines their research outcomes such as papers and patents and select promising projects with good possibilities of commercialization and consulting firms suitable for those projects. The Consulting firms consisted of patent lawyers and S&T experts examine the achievements of the researchers in detail and survey domestic and international markets to find potential customers and help making contacts among them. The Center provides the fees for the consulting, which is secured from the government budget.