Ministry of Science and ICT Selects 9 Leader Researchers and 18 Leading Research Centers

Among the basic research projects in the field of science, the selection of recipients for the ‘Global Leader Research’ and ‘Global Leading Research Center’ projects, which support the top researchers and research groups in Korea, has been finalized.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 25th that nine researchers were selected for the Leader Research, including Choi Won-sik of Korea University for high-resolution optical imaging, Ham Yoo-geun of Seoul National University for climate change research through deep learning-based integrated model development, and Ok Kang-min of Sogang University for non-centrosymmetric material design and implementation. They will receive approximately 800 million KRW annually for nine years. The total support amount is 61.6 billion KRW. By university, KAIST has four recipients, Korea University two, and Seoul National University, Catholic University, and Sogang University each have one.

A total of 18 centers were selected for the Leading Research Centers, which support research groups of about 10 researchers. In the natural sciences field, four centers were selected including Pohang University of Science and Technology’s (POSTECH) ‘Quantum Angular Momentum Dynamics Center.’ In engineering, four centers were selected including KAIST’s ‘Global Bio-Convergence Interfacing Materials Center.’ In basic medical sciences, four centers were selected including Sungkyunkwan University’s ‘Patient-Customized Immuno-Oncology Treatment Center.’ In regional innovation, two centers were selected including Jeju National University’s ‘Green Hydrogen Glocal Research Center.’ In the innovation field, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) and Pusan National University were selected in the advanced bio field, Hanyang University in the next-generation communications field, and Seoul National University in the quantum field.

For small-scale joint research groups of 3 to 4 researchers, 145 Basic Research Laboratories were selected. They will receive up to 500 million KRW annually for a maximum of three years, depending on the field. For the Leading Research Centers, a total of 345.3 billion KRW will be supported for up to 10 years.

Kwon Hyun-joon, Director of Basic and Fundamental Research Policy, stated, “We will actively support the selected researchers and research groups so that they can lead global science and technology,” adding, “Next year’s basic research projects will be organized with a record-high budget of 2.94 trillion KRW to do our best to support the growth of future generations.”