Korea Awaits
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    Projects

    Brain Pool(BP/BP+)

    01 Program Overview

    1. 1) Purpose

      • Strengthen R&D capabilities and promote innovative growth in Korea by inviting outstanding overseas scientiststhrough various research activities in R&D fields.
      • Through full-scale support for salary, stay, travel, and research collaboration

    2. 2) Supported Areas

      • All fields in Science and Technology
      • Preference fields: 12 National Strategic Technology Fields

    3. 3) Details of Support

      • Personnel Costs based on the annual salary of the original affiliation of BP fellow.
      • Research Activities Costs including housing allowance, airfare, insurance premiums, relocation costs, subsidies for children's education, etc.
      • Others such as Research Material Expenses, Indirect Costs, etc.
      • Every fund is executed by BP Fellow's host institution in Koreaincluding his/her salary.

    02 Program Structure

    1. 1) Eligibility for BP Program

      • Ph.D. holders who are living overseas (outside of South Korea) as of the application date
      • In case of corporate and corporate-affiliated research institute being the host organization, scientist with five-year or more of on-site R&D experience overseas(outside of South Korea) regardless of his/her possession of a doctoral degree

    2. 2) Types and Supporting Period

      • BP(Individual Type)
        • Individual Type: up to 3 years(at least 1 year)
        • Institution Type: up to 5 years
        • 1:1 Joint Research between Korean PI and Overseas Scientist
        • Support: Personnel · Living Allowance· Travel/Relocation · Research Costs · Indirect Costs
        • The application is jointly prepared and submitted
      • BP+(Integrated Institutional Type)
        • up to 10(4+6) years(~2025)
          ※ It will shift to the institutional format in 2026
        • Korean Institution-led Global Scientist Recruitment
        • Integrated package support for talent invitation, Personnel · Living Allowance· Travel/Relocation · Research Costs · Indirect Costs
        • Project-awarded institutions can freely recruit global researchers

    03 Support System and Infrastructure

    1. 1) Individual level: Support Staff

      • Each invited scientist is assigned a dedicated support staff member
        • from research administration to daily-life needs to the Korean research environment.

    2. 2) Program level: BP Support Team

      • NRF operates a Researcher Support Unit(Brain Pool Support Team), partnering with professional relocation agencies to provide end-to-end assistance

    3. 3) Comprehensive level: Full-Cycle Settlement Support

      • KIRD offers R&D lifecycle-based, customized support services
        • Gain a quick understanding of Korea's R&D system and funding opportunities
        • Build research networks early and settle smoothly in Korea
        • Pursue long-term career development and sustainable collaboration

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