Institute for Basic Science

What Institute for Basic Science does

The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) is a non-profit, government-owned basic science research institute established in 2011 by the Republic of Korea under the Ministry of Science and ICT, headquartered in Daejeon, South Korea. As of January 2026, IBS operates 9 research institutes and 35 research centers spanning physics (9), mathematics (3), chemistry (6), life sciences (10), earth sciences (2), and interdisciplinary fields (5), distributed across leading Korean universities including KAIST, POSTECH, Seoul National University, UNIST, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, and Ewha Womans University. Its core technology is multi-disciplinary basic science research, producing novel methodologies such as glycine transporter-targeting antisense oligonucleotide therapy for autism, cryo-EM visualization of Argonaute maturation complexes for RNA therapeutics, an AI-powered Crossbreeding Neural Network (CBNN) for catalyst discovery published in Nature Materials, gut-brain axis nutrient signaling mechanisms, and van der Waals crystal optoelectronic synaptic devices for neuromorphic computing.

IBS operates as a state-funded platform organization rather than a commercial enterprise. It does not run a commercial revenue model: funding is provided directly by the Korean government to advance fundamental research nationwide, with no disclosed pricing, ARR, or commercial product lines. Its "products" are research outputs (publications in Nature, Science, and related journals), patents transferred through its Technology Commercialization office, talent programs (Young Scientist Fellowship, Junior Chief Investigator), and graduate education via IBS School partnerships with UST, UNIST, and Ewha Womans University. The primary served segment is the academic research community across South Korea, with international scientific collaboration extending to RIKEN (Japan), Lerner Research Institute (USA), Keystone Symposia (USA), UCLA, and Max Planck Society (Germany). IBS also operates public-facing assets including the Science Culture Center, IBS Dormitory, and Research Solution Center, plus wholly-owned operating entities such as the Institute for Rare Isotope Science and the Korea Virus Research Institute.

Name

Institute for Basic Science

Legal name

Institute for Basic Science

Website

https://ibs.re.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Institute for Basic Science is a South Korean government-funded non-profit research institute operating 9 research institutes and 35 research centers across physics, chemistry, life sciences, mathematics, earth sciences, and interdisciplinary fields, serving the academic research community via university-hosted centers nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Basic Science Research

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Universities with Computing, Data & AI Focus (EDAHAEAK)

Keywords

• Basic science research
• Government research institute
• Interdisciplinary research
• Scientific publications
• Research fellowships

Headquarters

HQ city

Yusong

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Institute for Basic Science (IBS) is a government-funded national research institute that conducts basic science research across 9 research institutes and 35 research centers spanning physics, chemistry, life sciences, mathematics, earth sciences, and interdisciplinary fields. The institute operates research centers hosted at leading Korean universities, produces high-impact scientific publications, develops novel technologies for commercialization, and runs talent development programs including the Young Scientist Fellowship and Junior Chief Investigator positions.

Product overview

Institute for Basic Science (IBS) is a national research institute founded in 2011 by the Korean government to advance basic science. IBS operates as a platform of 9 research institutes and 35 research centers spanning physics, chemistry, life sciences, mathematics, earth sciences, and interdisciplinary research. The organization is structured around collaborative research centers hosted by Korean universities, supplemented by educational programs (IBS School, YSF/Junior CI fellowships), a public-facing Science Culture Center, and technology commercialization services. IBS does not offer commercial software products or SaaS offerings; its 'products' are research outputs, publications, patents, talent programs, and scientific infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IBS Research Centers IBS operates 35 research centers across 9 research institutes spanning physics (9), mathematics (3), chemistry (6), life sciences (10), earth sciences (2), and interdisciplinary fields (5). Research centers are hosted at leading Korean universities and conduct fundamental scientific research producing publications in top-tier journals.
• Science Culture Center A public-facing science library and exhibition facility offering books, DVDs, e-books, video content, seminars, cinema facilities, conference rooms, and tours. Operates as a subsidiary of IBS focused on science culture and outreach.
• Technology Commercialization IBS transfers research outcomes including patents and technologies to industry partners for practical application and economic impact through its technology commercialization office at tech.ibs.re.kr.
• IBS School (IBS-UST) Graduate-level educational programs including IBS-UNIST Neuroscience Scholarship, university partnerships, and IBS Campus within UST (University of Science and Technology) for neuroscience and other disciplines.
• Young Scientist Fellowship (YSF) and Junior Chief Investigator (Junior CI) Talent programs providing young scientists opportunities to conduct independent research with IBS infrastructure. YSF offers 3-year appointments; Junior CI provides 5-year positions with greater independence.
• Institute for Rare Isotope Science A wholly-owned subsidiary of IBS focused on rare isotope research, operated as a core operating subsidiary.
• Korea Virus Research Institute A wholly-owned subsidiary of IBS focused on virus research, comprising the Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Center for Viral Immunology, Center for Virome and Applied Platform, and the Virus Research Resource Center.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• Sungkyunkwan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026Collaboration on optoelectronic synaptic device research using van der Waals crystals for neuromorphic semiconductors and AI hardware. Research conducted at Sungkyunkwan University in partnership with IBS Center for Quantum Nanoscience.
• Center for Nanoparticle ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026IBS research center that developed AI-powered Crossbreeding Neural Network (CBNN) method for green hydrogen catalyst discovery, published in Nature Materials.
• Seoul National UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Joint research on gut-brain axis mechanism revealing how gut epithelial cells detect protein deficiency and secrete CNMa hormone to reprogram feeding behavior. Study conducted in Drosophila melanogaster and validated in mice.
• Ewha Womans UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Collaboration on gut-brain axis research investigating nutrient-specific appetite mechanisms and their therapeutic potential for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and eating disorders.
• Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2026Joint research on autism spectrum disorder using CHD8 mutation mouse models to study how genetic mutation severity affects female protective effects against autism.
• Yonsei UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2026Collaboration on autism research developing world's first viable homozygous mouse model carrying CHD8 mutations for studying sex differences in autism spectrum disorder.
• Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 August 2025Joint research on rapid Joule heating system for high-nickel cathode materials to enhance lifespan and stability of next-generation lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
• UCLAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 August 2025International collaboration on battery technology research developing rapid Joule heating system to control defects in high-nickel cathode materials during sintering process.
• Kangwon National UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 August 2025Collaboration on high-capacity, fast-charging battery research using rapid Joule heating system at 1000-1500 degrees Celsius within seconds.
• Lerner Research Institute (USA)regionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2024International MOU for joint research, science and technology information sharing, and researcher exchange programs. 5-year agreement signed November 2024.
• Keystone Symposia (USA)regionalGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 November 2024Partnership for joint conferences in life sciences field. 3-year agreement signed November 2024.
• University of Science and Technology (UST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBS Campus partnership with UST for graduate education, providing joint research and academic programs. IBS School operates joint programs with UST for neuroscience and other disciplines.
• UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBS-UNIST Neuroscience Scholarship program and partnership for graduate education and research collaboration.
• Ewha Womans University (Education)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for IBS School programs providing neuroscience scholarship opportunities and academic collaboration.
• RIKEN (Japan)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research collaboration with RIKEN Nishina Center for accelerator-based science.
• Max Planck Society (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint exhibition partnership for Art in Science 10th Anniversary Special Exhibition, showcasing the intersection of art and science.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• RIKEN: Japan's flagship national basic-science research institute with a multi-disciplinary center model and government funding. RIKEN is the closest direct peer to IBS in mission, structure, and funding model, and is already an IBS collaboration partner.
• Max Planck Society: Germany's premier basic-science research organization with a distributed Max Planck Institutes model and government-backed long-term funding. Comparable to IBS in its multi-disciplinary basic-science mandate, distributed center structure, and culture of fundamental research, and is an active IBS partner (Art in Science exhibition).
• Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST): Korea's national applied-research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT. Sister organization to IBS within the Korean government research ecosystem, with a complementary applied rather than basic-science mandate.
• Pasteur Institute: France's flagship non-profit basic-research institute with a multi-disciplinary model spanning life sciences, chemistry, and public health. Like IBS, it combines research, training, and technology transfer under a single mission-driven umbrella.
• MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB): UK's Medical Research Council basic-research lab with an exceptional track record of Nobel-prize-level discoveries in molecular biology. Comparable to IBS in its high-concentration basic-science model and structural-biology capability (overlapping with IBS Center for Biomolecular and Cellular Structure).

Broad incumbents

• Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS): China's national academy covering the full spectrum of natural sciences with ~100 institutes. CAS is a much larger incumbent version of IBS's government-funded multi-disciplinary basic-science model and the dominant Asia-Pacific research competitor.
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI): US non-profit that funds long-term, investigator-driven basic research in life sciences and biomedical sciences. Comparable to IBS's life-sciences portfolio and its emphasis on giving scientists long-horizon funding rather than short-cycle grants.

Regional players

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru: India's premier public university for basic scientific research and postgraduate education. Comparable to IBS in its blend of university-based research, graduate education, and government funding, though operating in India rather than Korea.
• Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR): Singapore's lead public-sector R&D agency with biomedical and physical-science research institutes. Comparable to IBS as an Asia-Pacific government research umbrella, though more applied-mission oriented.

Emerging players

• Salk Institute for Biological Studies: US non-profit basic-research institute focused on molecular biology and neuroscience. Comparable to IBS's life-sciences and neuroscience imaging centers in its small-residency, high-impact basic-science operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ibs_media
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/IBS%EA%B8%B0%EC%B4%88%EA%B3%BC%ED%95%99%EC%97%B0%EA%B5%AC%EC%9B%90
• Facebookfacebook.com/ibs.media.ibs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-basic-science

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute for Basic Science