Transfer of IRIS Operations to KISTI

[Financial News] The operation of the Integrated R&D Information System (IRIS) will be transferred to the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI).
The Ministry of Science and ICT said on the 27th that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP) and KISTI on the transfer of the Integrated R&D Information System (IRIS) project and operations organization. Going forward, KISTI will take the lead in operating and upgrading IRIS.
The ministry plans to fully push ahead from next year with integrating the four research support systems — IRIS, Ezbaro, RCMS and NTIS — and introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based research administration support services so that IRIS can establish itself as a comprehensive research support platform useful to researchers. Before that, the agreement was pursued to consolidate and transfer the IRIS service operator to KISTI, a government-funded research institute specializing in IT and data.
Drawing on its experience operating science and technology information systems such as NTIS, as well as its own capabilities in AI, big data and other technologies suited to the era of Sovereign AI, KISTI plans to strengthen IRIS service stability and expand support functions. It will also bolster its response capabilities against external threats such as cyberattacks and fires.
The agreement includes the roles and scope of cooperation between KISTEP and KISTI to ensure a stable and seamless transfer of the IRIS system, including the comprehensive succession of personnel and staffing, the transfer of tangible and intangible assets and data such as systems and computer equipment, the succession of service contracts, and preparation for future projects.
The transfer of duties between KISTEP and KISTI will be carried out in stages so that users do not experience delays or disruptions in IRIS services due to the change in operating agency,
Starting with the transfer of the operations team office into KISTI in October and the formation of a task force to prepare next year’s project, the plan calls for the transfer of personnel, organization and contracts in the second half of the year, followed by the relocation of large-scale infrastructure hardware and software in mid-next year. The infrastructure transfer will proceed quickly after prior notice to IRIS users, including researchers and specialized institutions.

[email protected] Youn Ji-an Reporter