Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT)
Offers commercialization and innovation support through research infrastructure, entrepreneurship guidance, and startup pathways.
KEIT (Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology, also branded Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology) is South Korea's industrial-technology R&D evaluation and management body, operating under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). KEIT plans, assesses, and manages national industrial R&D programs that support the growth of Korea's manufacturing industry through development, application, and commercialization of manufacturing technologies, and through dedicated support for SMEs. The 2026 total budget is approximately KRW 4.18 trillion (USD 2.79 billion at the March 2026 reference rate of 1 USD = 1,500 KRW).
2026 sectoral budget allocation (USD millions / KRW billions): 1. Materials, components, equipment: USD 1,145.5M / KRW 1,718.25B (~41% of envelope) 2. Transportation: USD 374.6M / KRW 561.9B (automotive, shipbuilding, marine, AI accelerator semis for SDV) 3. Manufacturing base: USD 393.2M / KRW 589.8B (robotics, design, AI-enabled products) 4. Bio-health: USD 186.1M / KRW 279.15B (bio-industry, medical devices, new drugs) 5. Smart electronics: USD 251.9M / KRW 377.85B (next-gen semis, PIM AI, electronic systems) 6. Carbon neutrality: USD 171.5M / KRW 257.25B (hydrogen ironmaking, carbon-free NCC) 7. Disaster, safety: USD 79.7M / KRW 119.55B (social disaster response, regional safety) 8. Others: USD 183.0M / KRW 274.5B (national standards, GATC+, Alchemist moonshot project)
KEIT operates alongside other Korean R&D agencies including KIAT (industry promotion / international cooperation), NRF (basic/applied research), MSIT (S&T policy), and KISTEP (strategic planning). KEIT pursues global open innovation through partnerships with foreign R&D agencies (e.g., the June 2025 two-year MOU with Mitacs Canada to coordinate joint calls in biotechnology, new materials, energy and clean technologies, digital innovation, AI, quantum, and advanced manufacturing) and through KIAT-managed multi-year programs such as the Global Industrial Technology Cooperation Center (GITCC).
KEIT's GATC+ programme manages international technology cooperation, including joint R&D tracks with foreign partners. The Alchemist project is KEIT's moonshot-style high-risk, high-reward industrial research initiative. Korean-language documentation predominates across application portals (k-pass.kr, srome.keit.re.kr); English summaries are available on keit.re.kr/eng/.