Purchase-linked R&D in Korea: what to agree before the purchase document

Ⅰ Separate application documents from working agreements

The 2026 second-half Korean domestic-buyer call referred to SMEs holding a purchase consent document or purchase contract. Its application period, 15–29 June 2026, has ended. This is a preparation example, not an open-call announcement; check the applicable call, amendments and forms before applying.^[1]

Use the document names in the relevant call. The checklist below is IRUMJAE’s working proposal and does not replace official application forms.

Ⅱ Define the product and its operating environment

Clarify whether the buyer wants prototype evaluation, a replacement component or production-line deployment. Record the product and model, installation location, operating hours, temperature or load, and functions outside the development scope.

Identify the end user, test lead and purchasing approver. Distinguish an individual contact’s interest from an organizational purchasing decision. Assign an owner and confirmation date to each unresolved requirement.

Ⅲ Define development targets and acceptance testing together

Replace “better performance” with a baseline product, target, unit, test conditions, samples, repetitions and decision method. Where laboratory and on-site conditions differ, specify what will be verified at each stage. Discuss responsibilities and time for failure analysis, retesting and design changes.

For a hypothetical pump component, align the fluid, pressure, operating duration and baseline comparison before selecting a flow-rate target. This is an illustrative example, not a product-specific acceptance standard or a completed client engagement.

Ⅳ Make purchasing assumptions and costs visible

List development completion, field evaluation, purchase approval, order and delivery separately. Check expected quantity, price, lead time, production capacity, installation and maintenance scope. Do not present forecast sales as confirmed orders. Discuss who pays for prototypes and tests and which records must change when specifications change.

Start with five fields: requirement, current evidence, unresolved issue, responsible person and confirmation date. Match model names, dates and versions across specifications, test plans, meeting records and purchase documents. Ownership, confidentiality and contractual obligations require the relevant original documents and separate professional review.

Prepare for a discussion with IRUMJAE

Share a public product outline, the stage of buyer discussions, target performance and your preferred schedule. We can review how requirements connect to development and testing preparation. Selection or purchasing is not guaranteed. Agree on a transfer method before sending confidential technology or contract documents.