The South Korean government is launching a large-scale initiative to foster interdisciplinary talent in key future 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 "Phase 4 Brain Korea (BK) 21 2026 New Pilot Project." This initiative will allocate a budget of 15.68 billion won (approximately $13.5 million) until the conclusion of the fourth phase next year.
The project will support universities through three main 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 institutions are Seoul City University (Data Science Convergence Major), Incheon University (AI Convergence Bio-Manufacturing Major), Chung-Ang University (AI Convergence Major), and Hanyang University (Department of Converging Mechanical Engineering). These universities will receive a total of 4.2 billion won by August 2027, which will be used for graduate research scholarships, industry-academia collaboration program development, and international joint research expenses.
To address the regional extinction crisis, the "Regional University Alliance Education Research Group" initiative will support three research groups across three regions with a total of 3 billion won. In the Southeast and Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, Kyungpook National University (in collaboration with the National Kumi University) will focus on training talent for the global energy new industry. In the Central and Gangwon region, Chungbuk National University (in collaboration with Hanbat University, Daejeon University, and Chungju University) will lead research on citizen-centered smart cities. In the Honam and Jeju region, Chonnam National University (in collaboration with Chosun University, Suncheon University, and Wonkwang University) will establish a 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 institutions will receive 8.48 billion won 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 Phase 5 Brain Korea (BK) 21 project, which is set to begin in September 2027.
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 project, 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."
The project will support universities through three main 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 institutions are Seoul City University (Data Science Convergence Major), Incheon University (AI Convergence Bio-Manufacturing Major), Chung-Ang University (AI Convergence Major), and Hanyang University (Department of Converging Mechanical Engineering). These universities will receive a total of 4.2 billion won by August 2027, which will be used for graduate research scholarships, industry-academia collaboration program development, and international joint research expenses.
To address the regional extinction crisis, the "Regional University Alliance Education Research Group" initiative will support three research groups across three regions with a total of 3 billion won. In the Southeast and Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, Kyungpook National University (in collaboration with the National Kumi University) will focus on training talent for the global energy new industry. In the Central and Gangwon region, Chungbuk National University (in collaboration with Hanbat University, Daejeon University, and Chungju University) will lead research on citizen-centered smart cities. In the Honam and Jeju region, Chonnam National University (in collaboration with Chosun University, Suncheon University, and Wonkwang University) will establish a 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 institutions will receive 8.48 billion won 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 Phase 5 Brain Korea (BK) 21 project, which is set to begin in September 2027.
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 project, 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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