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Science ministry triples foreign talent selection in government research program

Published: 12 Mar. 2026, 12:59

A sign for the Ministry of Science and ICT is pictured in this undated file photo. [YONHAP]

The science ministry said Thursday it has selected around 4,600 individual science researchers to revitalize basic science research activities that had been drastically curtailed under the previous administration.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said it has selected 4,628 researchers to carry out individual projects under a government funding program for the first half of 2026, marking a 25 percent increase from the previous year.

The ministry will allocate 643 billion won ($435 million) for the new projects.

The selected talent includes 114 foreign nationals, compared with just 36 a year earlier, after the ministry allowed applicants to submit research proposals in English this year.

"[We] will continue to support outstanding foreign researchers so they can focus on their studies in Korea," the ministry said in a release.

Around 2,150, or 47 percent of the newly selected researchers, are based outside the greater Seoul area, reflecting the government's push to bolster research activities in regional areas.

Yonhap