This study attempts to calculate R&D efficiency of patent applications and patent grants by analyzing 18 government-supported research institutes in Korea. Then, we focus on evaluating which external socioeconomic factors affect R&D efficiency. We analyzed efficiency determinants by ruling out inputs directly affecting the efficiency of patent application and patent grants using the Tobit regression method. The results showed that the important determinants affecting the efficiency of patent applications and grants positively are those belonging to the Research Council of Industry Technology, and a higher number of patent grants for the past five years. But the number of years of service for CEOs and the number of years since establishment did not derive statistically significant results for the efficiency of patent applications and grants. A higher number of part-time employees in total full-time workers did not exhibit statistically significant results in efficiency of patent grants, even though it had a positive impact on efficiency of patent applications.