The government plans to allow wider access to an Internet site for information on state research and development projects next year in an effort to promote collaborative study and innovation, the science ministry said Wednesday.

Starting Jan. 1, the public will be allowed to download information on state R&D projects from the National Science & Technology Information Service, which is reserved for universities, state-funded think tanks and business members.

Currently, the general public is permitted to conduct only inquiries and searches on the site that provides some 5 million pieces of information on state R&D projects, tasks, personnel, research facilities, equipment and performances.

The ministry said a state R&D information management committee held a meeting the previous day to finalize a plan to expand the disclosure of government-financed R&D projects.

"The government will develop the NTIS into a portal that can effectively help researchers collaborate with one another and promote corporate innovation by providing businesses with information on necessary researchers and technologies," said Hong Nam-ki, vice minister of science, ICT and future planning.

In addition to allowing wider access, the ministry said it will make it shorter to download information from the site by automating the authorization process.

According to the latest ministry tally, the government's R&D spending came to 18.8 trillion won ($17.2 billion) in 2015, up 7 percent from the previous year. The government invested in 54,433 projects last year, with the science ministry receiving the largest 6.5 trillion won. (Yonhap)