This research was conducted to make suggestions for the promotion of research activities in the Life Sciences field, and we evaluated the research funding trend and the present status of research funding offered by KOSEF in this field. Researchers in this field have received more research funding from the group-based programme than from the individual-based programme. Also, they have received less money (per project) than did researchers in other Science and Technology fields. The portion of research funds given to the Medical Sciences fields has markedly increased year by year, whereas the portion of funding given to the Agricultural Sciences and Biological Sciences fields has decreased annually. To encourage research activities in the Life Sciences field in Korea, the following actions and systems are required : 1) formulation of a mid-and a long-term research master plan, 2) development of a database on man power in related fields, 3) activation of top-down research topics, and associated increase of individual research grants, 4) development of special national programs for basic researches in Life Sciences, 5) organization of a committee for policy and planning within related societies, and 6) system development for fair evaluation of the results of research activities.
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