Building a University-Centered Innovation Ecosystem... 2023 Campus Innovation Park Project Call for Proposals

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The Ministry of Education announced on the 25th that it will hold a public contest for the ‘2023 Campus Innovation Park Project’ in collaboration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to establish universities as innovation hubs within their regions.

This project is a joint initiative aimed at building a university-centered innovation ecosystem by transforming universities’ idle land into urban high-tech industrial complexes and creating industry-academia-research innovation hubs (spaces for company occupancy) to be linked and utilized with corporate capacity-building projects.

The government has selected a total of seven universities as project targets through three previous contests, including Kangwon National University, Hannam University, Hanyang University (ERICA), Kyungpook National University, Chonnam National University, Jeonbuk National University, and Changwon National University. To expand the project model, a fourth contest will be held this year to newly select two universities.

Aerial view of Campus Innovation Parks at Kangwon National University, Hannam University, Hanyang University (ERICA), Kyungpook National University, Chonnam National University, Jeonbuk National University, and Changwon National University (from top left in order). [Image provided by the Ministry of Education]

The selected universities will proceed with projects such as the creation of industrial complexes, and can receive national funding to cover part of the construction costs for the urban high-tech industrial complexes and the industry-academia-research innovation hubs that will be used as company occupancy spaces.

Applicants are the same as in previous contests: universities and industrial universities (excluding campuses located in Seoul), and must meet application conditions such as having a project site area of at least 10,000 square meters.

The evaluation criteria include four categories: feasibility of development as an urban high-tech industrial complex (35 points), the university’s project implementation capability and willingness (30 points), possibility of participation by companies and corporate support organizations (25 points), and the local government’s administrative and financial support willingness (10 points). Additionally, to ensure smooth project progress and early achievement of results, detailed evaluation items regarding the commitment and plans of universities and local governments will be strengthened compared to before.

Applications will be accepted from the 27th until March 7th. Applicants must submit an official application letter (electronic document) within the deadline and separately submit the original application documents by mail or in person. Detailed contest plans and submission forms can be found on the websites of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Ministry of SMEs and Startups starting from the 26th.

The three ministries will conduct written evaluations, on-site inspections, and comprehensive evaluations through an evaluation committee composed of private experts, and announce the final selection results in April.

A Ministry of Education official stated, “Universities selected for the Campus Innovation Park are steadily advancing their projects, and it is expected that the industrial ecosystem within the region will be promoted with universities as hubs.” He added, “We hope that excellent local universities will participate in this contest as well, establishing spaces for industry-academia cooperation, startups, and corporate growth.”