South Korea

Governance

Established in 1991 by the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the GRI institutional evaluation system was transferred to the Research Council (now the National Research Council of Science & Technology, NST) in 1999. Since then, the system has been implemented within this current institutional framework.

NST is responsible for overseeing the implementation and administration of the institutional evaluation system in close coordination with the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). Under the current legal framework, participation in the evaluation is mandatory and all GRIs are required to undergo institutional evaluation.

Operation of the exercise

Focus of the assessment

The focus of the institutional evaluation of government-funded research institutes in Korea includes research outputs, scientific impact, societal interactions and organizational performance.

Specifically, for the research performance assessment of GRIs, the evaluation focuses on the quality and impact of research outputs. At the same time, it also assesses whether research activities are aligned with the institution’s founding purpose and mission. When assessing research excellence, the highest grade is assigned to research outputs recognized as ‘world-first’ or ‘world-leading’ achievements. Beyond technical indicators, the final evaluation grade is determined through quantitative indicators and broader economic performance measures, including publications, patents, and licensing revenues.

Regarding the assessment of management of GRIs, evaluations focus on management performance, measuring how effectively an institution manages its resources, strengthens its support systems and implements innovative management practices. In addition, open cooperation with diverse partners is incorporated as an important evaluation pillar for institutional management.

Unit of assessment and scope

The GRI evaluation system assesses the institution as a whole, focusing on the overall performance and contributions of each government-funded research institute rather than evaluating individual projects or research activities.

Methods

The institutional evaluation of GRIs primarily employs a peer review assessment method. To ensure expertise and objectivity, the evaluation committee, composed of external Korean experts, conducts qualitative peer reviews across both the research and institutional management dimensions.

Following the submission of performance reports based on the National Research Council of Science and Technology guidelines, the evaluation committee reviews submitted documents and conducts on-site interviews to determine the final results. Subsequently, the Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea conducts a meta-evaluation to review the validity of the overall process. Following this final review, the results are officially validated and publicly disclosed.

History, reviews and evaluations

The GRI institutional evaluation system, established in 1991, has evolved into a comprehensive evaluation framework to mitigate the negative effects of institutional ranking. Since its introduction, the framework has developed from a performance-monitoring instrument into a broader governance mechanism supporting strategic management and institutional development.

In 2008, reflecting the unique characteristics of research environments, the system was reorganized into a dual structure consisting of annual management evaluations and triennial comprehensive evaluations.

In 2014, a mission-oriented evaluation system was adopted to promote institutional autonomy and accountability. The system aligned the evaluation cycle with the three-year appointment period of institutional leaders, intended to provide a holistic review of GRI performance across research and management areas.

To support mid- to long-term research based on the institutional mandates of GRIs, the evaluation system was further refined through the introduction of a six-year research evaluation cycle. This adjustment shifted the focus toward longer-term performance management closely aligned with institutional missions.

Furthermore, as of 2026, the GRI institutional evaluation system has undergone a comprehensive overhaul, focusing on streamlining the evaluation framework, reducing the administrative burden on institutions, and strengthening feedback mechanisms. The current integrated evaluation framework aims to facilitate alignment between management performance and research outcomes.

Last updated: July 2026 

Acknowledgement: Information provided by Dr. Young Geun Shin