A total of 230 researchers were selected for the overseas training and return and recruitment tracks of the Sejong Science Fellowship, which aims to build the capabilities of young researchers and attract top overseas talent to South Korea.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said on Sunday it had finalised the selection of new projects for the 2026 Sejong Science Fellowship overseas training and return and recruitment tracks.

Launched in 2021, the Sejong Science Fellowship is a talent development programme that supports postdoctoral researchers and non-tenured faculty by ensuring a stable research environment and helping them grow into independent researchers.

Under the latest selection, 30 new projects were confirmed for the overseas training track and 200 for the return and recruitment track, following the selection of 300 projects for the domestic track in March. Researchers chosen for the overseas training track will have the opportunity to acquire advanced technologies at world-leading research institutions.

Through the return and recruitment track introduced for the first time this year, 107 Korean researchers who completed degrees at leading overseas universities will settle in South Korea and continue their research. It also includes 93 foreign researchers from 29 countries who chose South Korea as their research base.

Yoon Kyung-sook (윤경숙), director general for basic and fundamental research policy at the ministry, said the Sejong Science Fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers so they can fully demonstrate their capabilities as principal investigators. She said the ministry would continue to provide all-round support so outstanding young researchers at home and abroad can achieve world-class results.