Ministry of Science and ICT selects province for 'Top-tier International Joint Research' program to advance regional green biotech ecosystem
South Chungcheong Province has secured a major opportunity to advance its green biotech research capabilities by partnering with world-class institutions including KAIST.
The provincial government announced Tuesday it has been selected for the Ministry of Science and ICT's "Top-tier International Joint Research" program.
The program supports strategic collaboration between domestic and leading overseas research institutions, covering joint research, personnel exchanges, information sharing and the establishment of cooperative hubs.
The consortium includes KAIST, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), which holds world-leading expertise in natural product synthesis and advanced analytical technology and equipment.
The primary focus is developing and securing core upcycling technologies to convert chemical industry byproducts into high-value materials. The consortium will receive 2.3 billion won ($1.63 million) in annual research and development funding for up to 10 years.
Participating institutions plan to generate world-class research outcomes through regular seminars, joint R&D project development and researcher exchanges.
The province intends to link the program with the KAIST Green Biotech Research Institute as a springboard for upgrading the regional green biotech research and industry ecosystem.
Set to begin operations in 2027 within the Naepohang Agri-Bio Cluster, the KAIST Green Biotech Research Institute will combine KAIST's advanced R&D capabilities with the province's agricultural, life sciences and biotech industrial infrastructure. It will serve as a core hub supporting everything from research and development through to commercialization.
The province plans to share foundational technologies and research outcomes from global joint research with local green biotech companies and research institutions, building a cycle of innovation that leads from technology transfer and joint R&D to commercialization.
"We will spare no effort in ensuring that world-class research outcomes centered on the KAIST Green Biotech Research Institute translate into growth for local companies and industries," a provincial official said.
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
