The South Korean government announced on January 20, 2026, a new initiative to attract top-tier international researchers by committing $10 million per year in dedicated funding for elite scientists willing to relocate and lead cutting-edge research at Korean institutions. The program, dubbed “Global Brain Korea”, targets Nobel laureates, Fields Medalists, Turing Award winners, and other globally recognized leaders in AI, biotechnology, quantum computing, semiconductors, clean energy, and advanced materials.
Science and ICT Minister Lee Jong-ho stated: “Korea must compete for the world’s best minds to maintain our technological edge. Talent is now more mobile than ever—we need to make Korea the destination of choice for visionary scientists.”
The pledge comes amid intensifying global competition for STEM talent, with the US, China, Singapore, Canada, and European nations offering competing incentives. South Korea has struggled to attract senior foreign researchers due to language barriers, relatively lower salaries compared to US top institutions, and perceptions of a hierarchical academic culture.
The initiative will first begin with pilot recruitment in 2026, specifically targeting 5–10 world-class scientists in the initial wave. Subsequently, the program aims to expand, with the ultimate goal of scaling to 50+ scientists over the next decade.
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