IBS

About IBS

The IBS was established in November 2011 as Korea’s first dedicated basic science research institute. By studying the fundamental principles of Nature, basic science is essential in creating new knowledge from which significant societal transformations are derived. The IBS promotes the highest quality of research and aims to increase the national basic science capacity while generating new opportunities for Korea.


The IBS specializes in long-term projects that require large groups of researchers. As research in the 21st century requires more interdisciplinary collaborations from larger groups of people, scientists at the IBS work together in the same laboratory base with a long-term perspective on research. We promote autonomy in research. The IBS believes scientists unleash their creative potential most effectively when they conduct research in an autonomous environment with world-class research infrastructures, to enable major scientific advances. By developing strong synergies with outstanding talents, autonomous research support systems, and world-class infrastructure, the IBS is steadily growing into a major basic research institute that meets the global standards of excellence.