Gvn’t to invest over ₩1T in Medical AI, Pharma, and Biohealth in 2026

First call announced for 252 projects across 19 programs… targeting AI, dementia, and regenerative medicine

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) will invest more than KRW 1 trillion in healthcare research and development (R&D) in the new year (2026).

On the 31st, the ministry announced its integrated implementation plan for next year's R&D projects and simultaneously issued the first integrated call for research proposals for 19 healthcare R&D projects. The budget allocated for new projects is KRW 171.5 billion, while KRW 62.5 billion will be invested across the 19 projects in the first call.

The MOHW’s total R&D budget for 2026 amounts to KRW 1.0652 trillion, representing a 12.6% increase year on year.

Of the 83 total R&D programs, KRW 1.0014 trillion has been allocated to 69 ongoing programs, while KRW 63.8 billion will be invested in 14 new programs. Over the past five years, the ministry’s R&D budget has grown at an average annual rate of 11.1%.

The Ministry will pursue this R&D investment centered on four key strategic pillars: technological innovation for public health, securing future growth engines in biohealth, AI-based digital and medical innovation, and establishing a foundation for biohealth innovation.

The total scale of new projects for 2026 is KRW 171.5 billion. A first integrated call for proposals will be conducted for projects scheduled to begin in April (19 projects, KRW 62.5 billion).

The application period runs from December 31, 2025, to 2:00 PM on January 30, 2026. Research institutions will be selected in April to commence research. Projects scheduled to begin in July (6 projects, 15.9 billion won) will be recruited through a second consolidated call in April 2026.

Key new programs included in the first integrated call are dementia medical technology R&D, patient safety technology development, technology development to address suicide-related social issues, translational clinical research in anti-aging and reverse-aging regenerative medicine, establishment of an AI-based surgical robot innovation lab, structure-based AI drug discovery, advanced bio convergence talent cultivation, recruitment of top-tier overseas talent, K-MediST support, and the Health and Medical R&D Core Technology Early Boost Program.

In addition, new projects will be selected and supported under nine ongoing programs, including global physician-scientist training, translational research linked to clinical field demand, and technology development to address low birth rates. Starting with new projects in 2026, researchers must submit a research data management plan when applying for a project, and data obtained during the research process must be managed according to a standardized format.

Eun-young Jung, Director General of the Bureau of the Health Industry Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, “The role of healthcare R&D is critical for the development of sustainable medical and care technologies and the expansion of biohealth exports. We look forward to active participation from researchers in the new projects for 2026.”

Soon-do Cha, President of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), said, “We will do our utmost to support researchers so that R&D outcomes translate into tangible benefits for the public.”