Companies Propose Research Topics... Launch of the First Strategic Technology Postdoctoral Industry-Academia Project

13 Consortia Selected for AI, Semiconductors, Aerospace, and More

Up to 580 Million Won in Support Over Two Years

High Competition with 65 Applicants and a 5-to-1 Ratio

Full-Scale Joint Research Among Companies, Universities, and Research Institutes Begins

The government will, for the first time, introduce an industry-academia collaboration model in national strategic technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and aerospace. In this model, companies propose research topics, and postdoctoral researchers (Post-Doc) from universities and government-funded research institutes jointly conduct research. The aim is to change the research environment so that postdoctoral researchers, who have typically remained in laboratories, can gain experience in technology development and commercialization together with companies.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on July 12 that it has finalized the selection of 13 new consortia for the 'Strategic Technology Postdoctoral Researcher Industry-Academia Project' and will begin full-scale implementation of the initiative.

In this project, when companies propose technology needs in strategic technology fields, they form a consortium with universities and government-funded research institutes to carry out joint research. While postdoctoral researchers conduct research as members of universities or research institutes, they also participate in joint research with companies, thereby gaining experience in both technology development and commercialization.

This project, launched for the first time this year, attracted a total of 65 consortia, resulting in a competition ratio of 5 to 1. The Ministry of Science and ICT comprehensively evaluated the research capabilities of universities, research institutes and companies, the allocation of roles, commercialization potential, and plans for utilizing postdoctoral researchers, ultimately selecting 13 consortia.

Joint Research Begins in National Strategic Technologies Including AI and Aerospace

The selected consortia will conduct joint research in national strategic technology fields such as AI, advanced biotechnology, secondary batteries, semiconductors and displays, aerospace and marine technology, hydrogen, and next-generation communications. The consortia include research institutions not only in the Seoul metropolitan area, but also in the Chungcheong, Yeongnam, and Gangwon regions, which is expected to help foster regional hubs for strategic technology research.

The selected consortia will receive support of up to 580 million won over two years, including funding for postdoctoral researchers' salaries. In addition, the government plans to operate an 'Industry-Academia-Research One Team Council' to support the sharing of achievements and commercialization among participating institutions.

Lee Jun-bae, Director General of the Future Talent Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "The core of this initiative is to help young PhD researchers gain experience connecting research and industry, and to support them in growing into key talent in strategic technology fields." He added, "We will continue to expand a research environment where young researchers can focus on their work in a stable manner and drive innovation together with companies."

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