The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) held the IBS Forum on October12, 2018. Forum participants, including Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) members, directors, and IBS president, gathered together to discuss the future direction of IBS.

IBS pursues core values of autonomy, excellence, creativity, and openness in order to perform challenging basic science research that explores fundamentals of natural phenomena. At the IBS Forum, we confirmed that the four core values have been a firm foundation for IBS to become a global research institute and should continue to serve as unwavering guiding principles for another leap forward.

Today we declare our commitments and hopes for a future where we grow into a world leading research institute by taking up bold challenges.

First, IBS will continue to drive the advancement of national basic science in cooperation with domestic and international basic science communities. We aim for the progress of science as a whole, going beyond the interests of certain research organizations or institutions.

Second, IBS regards excellence as an uncompromising prime value as well as a basic responsibility. Strict Center Review and research ethics are the starting point in pursuing excellence.

Third, IBS believes that it is our important mission to provide young scientists with research opportunities where they can take up challenges. We vow to make our utmost efforts to nurture and attract future research leaders.

Fourth, basic science cannot advance without the support and empathy of civil society. We will keep striving to communicate with society in order for science to be loved by the public.

Fifth, basic science can flourish only when we dream about and look forward to the future. We hope predictable and stable research support can be ensured through unchanging policies.

Sixth, research autonomy is a minimum requirement to generate creative knowledge. We hope the researcher-oriented philosophy of “support without interference” can be realized completely.

IBS will continue to endeavor ceaselessly in order to encourage curiosity and assist attempts of scientists to contribute to the nation, society, and welfare of mankind.