POSCO TJ Park Foundation Awards Certificates to 30 POSCO Science Fellows

 

- 30 Early-Career Faculty Members in Basic and Applied Sciences Selected to Lead the Future of Korean Science
- Fellows Receive KRW 100 Million in Research Funding over Two Years, Along with Opportunities for Academic Exchange and Research Collaboration
- Over the Past 16 Years, 513 Fellows Selected and a Total of KRW 33.4 Billion in Research Grants Provided

 

The POSCO TJ Park Foundation (Chairperson: Sunwook Kim) has completed the selection of the 2025 POSCO Science Fellows and held a certificate award ceremony for the 30 newly selected fellows at POSCO Center on October 24.

 

Now in its 16th year, the POSCO Science Fellowship is one of the Foundation's flagship programs, dedicated to fostering promising early-career scientists conducting research in basic and applied sciences in Korea and supporting their growth into world-class researchers. Since its launch in 2009, the program has selected a total of 513 fellows and provided cumulative research grants amounting to KRW 33.4 billion.

 

The fellowship supports outstanding faculty members who have been appointed within the past three years at Korean universities and research institutes. Eligible research fields include four areas of basic science—mathematics, physics, chemistry, and life sciences—and two areas of applied science—metallurgy & advanced materials and energy materials. Each fellow receives research funding of KRW 100 million over a two-year period. In addition to financial support, the Foundation organizes annual academic exchange meetings by research field and provides opportunities for fellows to build professional networks and pursue collaborative research.

 

This year, the fellowship attracted 407 applications from early-career faculty members representing 62 universities across Korea, resulting in a highly competitive selection process with an acceptance ratio of more than 13 to 1. Notably, the number of applications from women scientists increased by approximately 70 percent compared to the previous year.

 

One member of the selection committee commented, "This year's applicants demonstrated exceptionally strong research capabilities compared to previous years. It was particularly impressive to see many early-career faculty members with publications in leading international journals such as Science and Nature, reflecting their tremendous potential for future scientific achievement."

 

Following the award ceremony, Professor Jeguen Park of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Seoul National University, recipient of the 2023 POSCO TJ Park Prize in Science, delivered a keynote lecture. This was followed by presentations from former POSCO Science Fellows, Professor Moonjung Park of the Department of Chemistry at POSTECH and Professor Young Seok Ju of the Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering at KAIST, as well as a talk concert under the theme, "Challenges and Growth as a Scientist."

 

The POSCO TJ Park Foundation will continue to encourage and support talented young scientists through the POSCO Science Fellowship, helping them establish and advance outstanding research careers in Korea.