South Korea Launches Global AI, Tech Fellowship for 400 Researchers

• $222M InnoCORE program to support 400 postdoctoral researchers.
• Focus on AI, biomedicine, aerospace, clean energy & manufacturing.
• Industry-academia ties include Samsung, MIT, Stanford & Oxford.

South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT and the nation's four leading science and technology institutions have launched the $222 million InnoCORE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program to draw 400 postdoctoral researchers.

The program will focus on enhancing South Korea's competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI) and science and technology through postdoctoral research in four areas such as biomedicine, aerospace, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.

The program also aims to address global brain drain, or the emigration of educated human capital from a country, in addition to attracting global talent. InnoCORE will target early-career researchers, with a long-term vision of developing the next generation of leaders in AI and science and technology.

There is a five-year funding commitment of $222 million from the South Korean government, which will provide fellows with a base annual salary of $66,000 and additional funding opportunities for research and industry collaborations.

Participants will be provided with access to cutting-edge research facilities in South Korea and support from both local and global specialists.

A Ministry of Science and ICT official commented, "In the global competition for AI expertise, postdoctoral researchers are strategic assets for national innovation. Through the InnoCORE program, we are committed to creating a world-class research environment and fostering global partnerships that empower early-career scientists to lead transformative breakthroughs in South Korea."

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InnoCORE concentrates on various advanced research fields, such as AI-driven drug discovery, intelligent manufacturing, and large language models (LLMs).

It additionally examines aerospace transformed by AI, the convergence of AI and nanotechnology for identifying neurodegenerative diseases, and bio-embodied physical AI. Moreover, the center is involved in creating hydrogen technology powered by AI and space solar technologies enhanced by AI.

Partnerships with the industry for the fellowship involve Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, along with international institutions such as MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and Oxford.