The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the process and outcomes of large-scale R&D programs, which is regarded as big science such as aerospace program, nuclear fusion energy program. In addition, case evaluation of nuclear fusion energy development R&D program is presented in this report.
 

Large-scale R&D program has been a controversial issue for many years due to the future fiscal burden and the effect of investment. In the face of this issue, it is needed to evaluate large-scale R&D program in terms of long term oriented science and technology capabilities, the efficiency of national R&D investment.

Nuclear fusion energy development program is one of the most representative large-scale R&D program in Korea, which aims to construct Korea's Nuclear fusion energy production facilities. This program is to invest total 569 billion won for the period from 1995 to 2009 fiscal year. It is scheduled to invest 700 billion won as for domestic R&D from 2008 to 2025 fiscal year, and 1.6 trillion won from 2007 to 2040 fiscal year as for the share of ITER.

The evaluation results are as follows. Firstly, the increase in total cost is happened frequently in large-scale R&D programs. Therefore, it is necessary to control total cost of program in an efficient manner. Secondly, in the case of nuclear fusion energy development program, it is short to acquire core capability in diverse field due to focusing on the mission of facilities constructing. Finally, it is analyzed that Korea's share of ITER is excessive, compared to domestic nuclear fusion energy development investment and the share of ITER should be coordinated with our R&D condition.