The South Korean government is launching a large-scale initiative to support the next generation of scholars, aimed at cultivating interdisciplinary talent to lead future key industries and enhance the competitiveness of regional universities.
On June 24, the Ministry of Education and the Korea Research Foundation announced the results of expert evaluations for the 'Fourth Phase Brain Korea (BK) 21 2026 New Pilot Project.' This new pilot program will receive a total budget of 15.68 billion won (approximately $12 million) until the end of the fourth phase next year.
The initiative is divided into three categories: 'AI Convergence (AI+X) Education Research Groups,' 'Regional University Alliance Education Research Groups,' and 'Support for the Growth Path of Outstanding STEM Talent.'
In the AI Convergence category, four research groups were selected after a competitive evaluation process. The chosen groups are: ▲ Seoul City University (Data Science Convergence Major) ▲ Incheon University (AI Convergence Bio-Manufacturing Major) ▲ Chung-Ang University (AI Convergence Major) ▲ Hanyang University (Department of Convergence Mechanical Engineering).
These four universities will receive a total of 4.2 billion won (approximately $3.2 million) by August 2027, which will be used for graduate student research scholarships, industry-academia cooperation program development, and international collaborative research expenses.
To address the regional extinction crisis, the 'Regional University Alliance Education Research Group' project will support three research groups from three regions with a total of 3 billion won (approximately $2.3 million).
In the Southeast and Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, Kyungpook National University (in alliance with Gumi College) will focus on cultivating talent for the global energy new industry. In the Central and Gangwon region, Chungbuk National University (in alliance with Hanbat National University, Daejeon University, and Cheongju University) will lead research on citizen-centered smart cities. In the Honam and Jeju region, Chonnam National University (in alliance with Chosun University, Suncheon University, and Wonkwang University) will establish a collaborative research network for future drug development.
A new initiative to support the early identification and development of outstanding STEM talent from the undergraduate level has selected a total of ten universities nationwide and regionally. These universities will receive 8.48 billion won (approximately $6.4 million) by February next year for undergraduate research scholarships and mentoring professor incentives.
Nationally, the selected universities include Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, Chung-Ang University, and POSTECH. Regionally, the selected institutions are Pukyong National University, Busan National University, Yonsei University (Future Campus), Chonnam National University, and Chungnam National University.
The Ministry of Education and the Korea Research Foundation plan to finalize the selected universities in July after a review process that concludes on July 6. Additionally, the successful outcomes of this pilot project will be partially reflected in the upcoming Fifth Phase Brain Korea (BK) 21 project, set to begin in September 2027, ensuring policy continuity.
Lee Hae-sook, Director of the Higher Education Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Education, stated, "In the context of the AI transformation and intensifying global technological competition, national competitiveness hinges on securing outstanding talent. Through this initiative, we aim to systematically cultivate AI convergence talent, regional innovation talent, and future science and technology talent, thereby creating world-class research-oriented universities and innovation ecosystems."
On June 24, the Ministry of Education and the Korea Research Foundation announced the results of expert evaluations for the 'Fourth Phase Brain Korea (BK) 21 2026 New Pilot Project.' This new pilot program will receive a total budget of 15.68 billion won (approximately $12 million) until the end of the fourth phase next year.
The initiative is divided into three categories: 'AI Convergence (AI+X) Education Research Groups,' 'Regional University Alliance Education Research Groups,' and 'Support for the Growth Path of Outstanding STEM Talent.'
In the AI Convergence category, four research groups were selected after a competitive evaluation process. The chosen groups are: ▲ Seoul City University (Data Science Convergence Major) ▲ Incheon University (AI Convergence Bio-Manufacturing Major) ▲ Chung-Ang University (AI Convergence Major) ▲ Hanyang University (Department of Convergence Mechanical Engineering).
These four universities will receive a total of 4.2 billion won (approximately $3.2 million) by August 2027, which will be used for graduate student research scholarships, industry-academia cooperation program development, and international collaborative research expenses.
To address the regional extinction crisis, the 'Regional University Alliance Education Research Group' project will support three research groups from three regions with a total of 3 billion won (approximately $2.3 million).
In the Southeast and Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, Kyungpook National University (in alliance with Gumi College) will focus on cultivating talent for the global energy new industry. In the Central and Gangwon region, Chungbuk National University (in alliance with Hanbat National University, Daejeon University, and Cheongju University) will lead research on citizen-centered smart cities. In the Honam and Jeju region, Chonnam National University (in alliance with Chosun University, Suncheon University, and Wonkwang University) will establish a collaborative research network for future drug development.
A new initiative to support the early identification and development of outstanding STEM talent from the undergraduate level has selected a total of ten universities nationwide and regionally. These universities will receive 8.48 billion won (approximately $6.4 million) by February next year for undergraduate research scholarships and mentoring professor incentives.
Nationally, the selected universities include Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, Chung-Ang University, and POSTECH. Regionally, the selected institutions are Pukyong National University, Busan National University, Yonsei University (Future Campus), Chonnam National University, and Chungnam National University.
The Ministry of Education and the Korea Research Foundation plan to finalize the selected universities in July after a review process that concludes on July 6. Additionally, the successful outcomes of this pilot project will be partially reflected in the upcoming Fifth Phase Brain Korea (BK) 21 project, set to begin in September 2027, ensuring policy continuity.
Lee Hae-sook, Director of the Higher Education Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Education, stated, "In the context of the AI transformation and intensifying global technological competition, national competitiveness hinges on securing outstanding talent. Through this initiative, we aim to systematically cultivate AI convergence talent, regional innovation talent, and future science and technology talent, thereby creating world-class research-oriented universities and innovation ecosystems."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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