The fellowship aims to increase South Korea’s competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI) and science and technology, advancing research across four key areas: biomedicine, aerospace, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.
The program also aims to address brain drain, or the emigration of educate professionals out of a country, and attract global talent. It specifically targets researchers at the start of their careers, with a long-term aim of nurturing the next generation of leaders in AI and science and technology.
Supported by a five-year investment from the South Korean government of US$222 million, the program offers fellows an annual base salary of $66,000, with opportunities for additional funding through further research and industry partnerships.
Fellows will also be offered access to state-of-the-art research facilities in South Korea and guidance from domestic and international experts.
A Ministry of Science and ICT official comments: “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.”
Research areas covered by InnoCORE include:
AI-based drug discovery
Smart manufacturing
Large language models (LLMs)
AI-transformed Aerospace
AI-nano convergence for detection of Neurodegenerative diseases
Bio-Embodied Physical AI
AI-driven Hydrogen Technology
AI-driven space solar technologies
Industry partnerships for the fellowship include Samsung, Hyundai and LG as well as global institutions including MIT, Stanford, Harvard and Oxford.