KHIDI

The Korean ARPA-H project was initiated in recognition of the limitations of conventional research and development approaches in addressing the major health and medical challenges facing the nation—such as the next pandemic, super-aging population, and the crisis in essential healthcare services. Aiming to ensure the health security of the Korean people, the project benchmarks the ARPA model, an innovative governance framework from the United States, to pursue high-risk, high-reward, challenge-driven, and innovative research.

The project has identified five key missions aimed at solving critical health and medical challenges. Its most significant distinction from conventional R&D programs lies in its project manager (PM)-driven approach, where highly skilled and capable PMs lead every stage—from project planning and selection to evaluation and management. Key supporting strategies include big data-driven project planning, flexible milestone management, customized performance evaluation systems, PM training, and the establishment of global networking platforms.

As we take on grand challenges, we believe that turning the impossible into the possible—and ultimately into reality—requires someone’s failure along the way. If there are researchers who build upon those failures to take on new challenges, we believe that the potential for Korea’s health security, industry, and the future health of its people will grow ever stronger.