National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea

What National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea does

The National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea (대한민국학술원) is a statutory, government-affiliated nonprofit academic institution established in 1952 under the Cultural Protection Act and re-anchored by the NAS Act of 1988. It functions as Korea's highest academic honor society, with membership capped at 150 distinguished scholars (132 currently elected, split evenly between humanities/social sciences and natural sciences) nominated by leading academic societies based on outstanding scholarly contributions. Its core activities include electing members, awarding the prestigious NAS Award (up to 8 recipients per year, 100 million KRW each), administering the Outstanding Academic Books program for university distribution, funding academic research projects and seminars, publishing the monthly NAS Communication newsletter and annual Bulletin, and producing the EBS "Conversation with the Times" documentary series for public outreach.

The Academy does not sell commercial products or services; all programs are funded through Ministry of Education budgets and the affiliated NAS Research Foundation (재학술원연구재단), established in 1986. Its revenue mechanics are grant-based rather than transactional, with disclosed line items including 2,076 million KRW for the 2026 Outstanding Academic Books program. Its core "technology" is institutional: a rigorous membership election process, an international academic network spanning PSA, ISC, UAI, SCA, IAP, and the Koinon of Academies, and bilateral ties with 15+ foreign academies including the French Academy of Sciences, US NAS, and Royal Society.

The institution serves three primary stakeholder groups: elite Korean scholars seeking national recognition and research support; the Korean government (Ministry of Education) which funds its programs under the humanities/social sciences research support framework; and the broader Korean public, reached via EBS broadcasts and university book distribution. Its leadership comprises a president (currently Lee Jeong-bok, 41st, since April 2025), vice president, secretary general, and a small Seoul secretariat operating from its headquarters at 59 Banpo-daero 37-gil, Seocho-gu.

Name

National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea

Legal name

대한민국학술원 (The National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea)

Website

https://nas.go.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea is a statutory, government-funded honorary learned society established in 1952 that recognizes Korea's top 132 elected scholars, awards the annual NAS Award (100 million KRW per recipient), funds academic research, distributes outstanding academic books to universities, and engages the public via EBS documentary programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

National Science Academy

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAIAOAJ

Research Grants, Fellowships & Stipends (International)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Scholarships, Funding & Financial Aid for International Study

SECONDARYMPAGAGAD

Academic & Scientific Conferences

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Conventions & Conferences (Business Events)

SECONDARYEDAIABAB

Faculty & Staff Exchange Programs

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/University/College Exchange Programs & Partnerships

SECONDARYEDALAOAC

Major Gifts, Planned Giving & Endowment Development

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Alumni Relations, Development & Campus Community Engagement

SECONDARYEDAGABAD

Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Political Science)

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Higher Education Textbooks & Courseware

Keywords

• Academic research support
• Scholarly recognition programs
• International academic exchange
• Academic publication services
• National science academy

Headquarters

HQ city

Seocho

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Research Foundation Support: The Academy operates primarily through government funding from the Ministry of Education for its academic research support programs. The affiliated NAS Research Foundation (재학술원연구재단) manages endowment and foundation activities to support academic research, grants, seminar organization, academic conference hosting and sponsorship, and publication assistance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea is the senior national honor society of distinguished Korean scholars, operating honorary academic recognition programs, providing research grants and publication support to elected members, hosting academic seminars and conferences, facilitating international academic exchange, and producing public-facing media content in partnership with EBS. It does not sell commercial products or services; its programs are delivered at no charge to recipients under Ministry of Education funding and foundation endowment support.

Product overview

The National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea (대한민국학술원) operates as Korea's highest academic institution with a portfolio of programs and publications. Core offerings include the prestigious NAS Award (대한민국학술원상) honoring scholars in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences with 100 million KRW per recipient; the Outstanding Academic Books Program (우수학술도서) supporting basic science publications; the EBS 'Conversation with the Times' documentary series showcasing member achievements; and international academic exchange programs through partnerships with global academic bodies. The institution also publishes the monthly NAS Communication newsletter, annual NAS Report, biennial brochures, and video content. Research support includes grants for specialized academic activities, seminars, and colloquia for its members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NAS Award (대한민국학술원상) Annual prestigious academic recognition program honoring Korean scholars who have made significant contributions to academic development. Awards are presented across four categories (Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences Basic, Natural Sciences Applied), with up to 8 recipients per year (up to 2 per category). Each recipient receives a certificate, medal, and 100 million KRW prize. The program has run annually since 1955.
• Outstanding Academic Books Program (우수학술도서) Government-entrusted selection and support program that identifies outstanding domestic academic books in basic sciences and distributes them to universities nationwide. Administered by the Academy under the 2025 Comprehensive Plan for Humanities and Social Sciences Academic Research Support of the Ministry of Education, with a 2,076 million KRW budget for the 2026 cycle. Targets books published domestically from March of the previous year to February of the current year; program operating since 2002.
• EBS 'Conversation with the Times' Documentary Program (EBS 시대와의 대화) Public-facing documentary series co-produced with Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) since 2015 that showcases the academic achievements, scholarly work, and life stories of NAS members. Broadcast on EBS Channel 1 with the Academy selecting target members and planning the program while EBS produces and airs the content. Currently on its 34th episode.
• International Academic Exchange Program Global academic cooperation program that maintains Korea's institutional membership in six international academic bodies: Pacific Science Association (joined 1957), International Science Council (joined 1961/2010), Union Académique Internationale (joined 1977), Science Council of Asia (founding member since 2000), InterAcademy Partnership (joined 2000), and the International Community of Academies Koinon (joined 2025). Includes bilateral Korea–Japan Academic Forum and Foreign Academy Scholar Invitation Academic Conferences.
• Academic Research Projects (학술연구사업) Specialized academic activity program that provides research grants, hosts the academic research series (학술연구총서), conducts regular academic seminars (since May–June annually since 1985), and organizes special research colloquia for NAS elected members. Includes the 2025 Specific Research Project Academic Symposiums program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2025: 8 new members elected (4 humanities/social sciences, 4 natural sciences)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• International Community (Koinon) of AcademiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Korea joined in 2025 and hosted the founding general assembly in February 2026. The Koinon comprises 38 academies worldwide as honorary members.
• EBS (Educational Broadcasting System)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Since 2015, NAS and EBS collaborate on the 'Conversation with the Times' documentary program, producing and broadcasting episodes featuring NAS members' scholarly achievements and life stories. EBS produces and airs the content while NAS selects target members and plans the program.
• Science Council of Asia (SCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Korea is a founding member of SCA since 2000 and actively participates in annual meetings. In 2004, Korea hosted the 4th SCA meeting. In 2023, as chair, Korea co-hosted the 22nd General Assembly and Academic Conference in Seoul. SCA has 31 academic organizations from 18 countries.
• InterAcademy Partnership (IAP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Korea joined IAP in 2000. IAP holds triennial general assemblies and comprises 149 academic organizations worldwide.
• Union Académique Internationale (UAI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1977Korea joined UAI in 1977 and has continuously sent representatives to annual general assemblies. In 2018, Korea hosted the Standing Committee meeting in Seoul. UAI comprises approximately 100 academic institutions from 63 countries.
• International Science Council (ISC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1961Korea joined ICSU (International Science Council) in 1961 and ISSC (International Social Science Council) in 2010. In 2018, these merged to form ISC. ISC has 41 international academic organizations as full members, approximately 140 national academic institutions, and 44 associate organizations.
• Pacific Science Association (PSA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1957Korea joined PSA in 1957 and has consistently sent delegates to Pacific Science Congresses. The 16th Pacific Science Congress was hosted in Seoul (August 20-30, 1987). PSA comprises 19 academic institutions and universities from 17 countries.
• National Academies and Academic Institutions (15 partner academies)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner academies include: Ministry of Education (Korea), Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, French Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, US National Academy of Sciences, Royal Society (UK), British Academy, Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Royal Swedish Academy of Letters History and Antiquities, Mongolian Academy of Science, Japan Academy, Croatian Academy of Science and Arts, Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Australian Academy of Humanities.
• Ministry of Education (교육부)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Education entrusts NAS with the Outstanding Academic Books program. Under the 2025 Comprehensive Plan for Humanities and Social Sciences Academic Research Support, NAS implements the 2026 Outstanding Academic Books selection and support program with a budget of 2,076 million KRW.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• British Academy: UK's national academy for humanities and social sciences, with elected Fellows, research funding, and policy advisory work — directly comparable to Korean NAS's humanities/social sciences membership cohort and programs.
• Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities: Israel's national academy covering sciences and humanities, with elected membership and research/policy advisory roles. Listed explicitly as one of NAS's 15 partner academies, indicating close operational parity.
• Japan Academy: Japan's statutory national academy recognizing distinguished scholars, with comparable honorary membership structure, government mandate, and academic awards. Strongly comparable given geographic, cultural, and historical parallels.
• Royal Society (UK): The UK's national academy of sciences, with elected Fellows, prestigious medals/awards, government advisory role, and international academic exchange — directly comparable to Korean NAS in mission, governance, and program mix.
• Australian Academy of Humanities: Australia's national humanities academy, elected membership model, listed as a partner academy of Korean NAS. Closely aligned in scope and program format for humanities and social sciences.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS): China's flagship national academy combining honorary membership with a vast research institute system. Although much larger operationally, CAS is the most structurally similar peer in the East Asian national academy ecosystem.
• US National Academy of Sciences: The United States' premier honorary scientific academy, electing distinguished scholars and operating research, awards, and international exchange programs — the closest functional counterpart to Korea's NAS in terms of statutory mandate and membership model.
• Académie des sciences (French Academy of Sciences): France's national academy of sciences, with elected members, awards, international partnerships, and government advisory functions. Active partner in the recent Korea-France joint academic award pact, making it a direct counterpart.

Regional players

• Indian National Science Academy: India's premier national scientific academy, with elected Fellows, awards, and government partnership. Comparable in mission and statutory role though serving the Indian academic ecosystem rather than directly competing with Korean NAS.

Others

• Science Council of Asia (SCA): Regional consortium of Asian academies (31 member organizations from 18 countries), of which Korean NAS is a founding member and former chair. Comparable as an ecosystem/network orchestrator rather than a direct competitive academy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@user-iy9hz8up4v

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea