Expansion of Research Stipends for Science and Engineering Graduate Students... Master's Guaranteed 800,000 Won per Month, Doctoral 1.1 Million Won

Ministry of Science and ICT Launches Second-Half Recruitment for New Participating Universities
Expansion Planned to Around 50 Institutions

52,000 Graduate Students Benefit from Program

Average Student Support Fund Increases by 20%

The government is expanding the eligibility for research activity encouragement stipends to support stable research activities for graduate students in science and engineering fields. Graduate students at participating universities are guaranteed at least 800,000 won per month for master's programs and at least 1.1 million won per month for doctoral programs.

On June 11, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it will hold an open call for new participating universities for the "Science and Engineering Graduate Student Research Living Allowance Support Program" for the second half of 2026, from June 12 to July 20.

Photo for reference to help understand the article. A university laboratory. The Asia Business Daily DB

This program ensures that master's students receive at least 800,000 won per month and doctoral students at least 1.1 million won per month by linking government support to student support funds provided by universities through government research and development (R&D) projects, among others. The program also supports the establishment of university-level management systems for student researcher support funds.

The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to expand the number of participating universities to around 50 through this open call.

Since the program's introduction, 43 universities have participated, and approximately 52,000 graduate students in science and engineering have been guaranteed student support funds at or above the standard amount.

In particular, support levels for graduate students have generally improved since joining the program. An analysis of 35 participating universities in 2025 showed that the average monthly student support fund for master's students increased from 1.32 million won to 1.57 million won, while for doctoral students, it rose from 1.88 million won to 2.29 million won. The overall payment level increased by about 20.5% compared to the previous year.

The government provides support to participating universities to cover shortfalls in the standard amount, assists in expanding university funding resources, and supports the establishment and operation of computer systems.

The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to complete the selection of new universities for the first phase of the project (2025-2027) with this call for the second half of the year. In the second phase (2028-2030), the ministry aims to further enhance the program by raising support levels, strengthening payment stability, and expanding university autonomy.

Lee Junbae, Director General for Future Talent Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "The Science and Engineering Graduate Student Research Living Allowance Support Program is designed to ensure stable research activities for graduate students and to establish a university-level management system for student support funds. We hope that this open call will further expand the foundation for supporting graduate students in science and engineering."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.