To promote high-technology development and increase research-and-development (R&D) competitiveness of technology industries in Taiwan, NTU has been actively participating in the fostering, training, and utilization of talent under the Research and Development Substitute Services System (formerly known as the Defense Industry Reserve Duty System).

R&D substitute services draftees mainly assist principal investigators in academic research projects under the National Science Council’s 16 Programs for Promoting Academic Excellence of Universities, the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ 10 Technology Development Programs for Academia, and the projects of 7 research centers under the Aim for the Top University Project. According to their areas of expertise, the draftees are assigned to different research teams, where they improve their professional knowledge and skills by executing research projects, preparing progress reports, and presenting research outcomes. In addition, the draftees are encouraged to attend professional training courses and seminars in Taiwan and overseas to gain knowledge, exchange wisdom on research, and hone their research presentation skills. Upon completion of their substitute services, the University would offer draftees the opportunity to continue their employment at NTU as research fellows, or assist them in applying for research positions in academia or industries to utilize their research experience in the work field. Draftees' individual career plans and objective considerations such as their service performance will be taken into account by the University.

By leveraging the professional R&D talents fostered under the Research and Development Substitute Services System, NTU is envisioned to strengthen its R&D capacity, thereby unlocking its maximum R&D potential across various academic research disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, biology, medicine, agriculture, and engineering.