A Bold Move to Attract Top Overseas Research Talent…Full Expansion of Settlement Support to 27 Universities

The government will fully expand the all-phase settlement support program that helps attract top overseas research talent to Korea, support their adjustment to life, and connect them to employment, to excellent four-year general universities. After pilot operations centered on the four major science and technology institutes and government-funded research institutes last year, the plan is to broaden the scope this year to include general research-oriented universities and begin in earnest the competition to secure global research talent.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said on the 2nd that it will significantly expand and operate the “Overseas Research Talent All-Phase Settlement Support Program” as part of the “Brain to Korea” project to attract excellent overseas talent. This program is a system that provides comprehensive support—from life-focused assistance to network building—so that excellent overseas researchers can enter Korea and settle stably, devoting themselves to research.

Expanded to 27 Universities with the K-Star Visa…Boosting Momentum for Globalization Strategy

The biggest change is the expansion of eligible recipients. Starting this year, the program has expanded significantly from the existing science and technology-focused national universities to 27 “K-Star Visa-designated universities”. With major universities such as Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University, as well as key national universities and regional research-oriented universities included in large numbers, there is a fresh sign for each university’s efforts to promote internationalization for foreign research talent.

New Tailored Support from English Psychological Counseling to Employment Internships

The expanded program is operated across three pillars: life-focused support, growth and networking support, and strengthened access to settlement information. A one-on-one consulting service with experts who help with administrative difficulties such as visas, taxes, legal matters, and real estate, as well as a translation accompaniment service called “Local Buddy,” are provided. In particular, English psychological counseling services have been newly introduced for those working in the science and technology field and their spouses to ease stress in unfamiliar overseas environments.

Support for career development of foreign talent who earned master’s or doctoral degrees in Korea’s science and engineering fields will also be strengthened. A new “Employment Competency Enhancement Internship” will be introduced to help them transition from their studies to industry in Korea, and education covering the entire process will be provided, including sharing employment know-how and conducting mock research projects.

Building a Dedicated Platform in the Second Half of the Year…Kicking Off the Push to Secure Global Talent

Along with networking programs for researcher-to-researcher exchanges, in the second half of this year a dedicated settlement support platform will also be built to integrate scattered settlement information. It will allow people to grasp, at a glance, everything from the life information needed right after arrival to academic and employment-connection information.

Individual researchers, universities, or research institutions that want to participate can apply either directly or at the institutional level to receive customized programs. In university communities, the expanded program is expected to greatly reduce the initial adaptation costs for international graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, making the competition to attract excellent overseas talent even fiercer.

Joon-bae Lee, Director of the Future Talent Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, “Amid intensifying competition to secure global talent, the importance of settling conditions that help research environments take root in Korea has grown. We will provide detailed, on-the-ground support so that excellent overseas talent can lessen their burdens and focus on research.”