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NRF Basic Research Laboratory (BRL)

NRF Basic Research Laboratory

Provides laboratories in Korea with support for long-term basic research teams and sustained discovery pathways.

OpenNational Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)South Korea

The NRF Basic Research Laboratory (BRL / 기초연구실) program is a group-focused basic research grant awarded by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) under MSIT authority. It funds small university research groups of three to four principal investigators conducting basic science and engineering research. The FY2026 first-tranche call was announced on November 13, 2025 under MSIT Notice No. 20…

Funds small Korean university research groups of three to four PIs conducting basic science and engineering research under Advanced or Pioneer tracks, at approximately 500 million KRW per year for three years.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.—
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.36 months
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.—

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Last verified: 24 Jul 2026Source: eng.nrf.re.kr