New and strengthened research priorities post-pandemic
COVID-19 has led to a realignment of research spending priorities as governments announce future research funding. The pandemic has underlined the importance of investing in research and development to prepare for pandemic shocks and for increasing health and economic resilience.
Adjustments in research priorities and future preparedness for pandemics and health emergencies have been the hallmark of budget planning in several Asian countries in recent months, alongside stepping up digitisation – spotlighted by a move to online teaching and online research collaboration.
South Korea, in a government announcement in January, said it would spend KRW41.9 billion (US$37 million) to develop treatments and vaccines against new infections as part of a KRW5.8 trillion (US$5.2 billion) science and ICT budget for this year – a 12% rise on 2020 with a focus on basic research, as well as new technologies such as artificial intellige