Background

• Although Jeonbuk State produces a high number of STEM doctoral graduates, regional settlement rates remain low, resulting in a shortage of local researchers.
• The Jeonbuk R&D Special Zone is expanding from materials and agro-bio fields into bio-industries to foster new growth engines.

Objectives

• To foster university-led research institutes supporting regional innovation and SME growth.
• To strengthen demand-driven research capacity through industry–academia collaboration.
• To develop technologies and cultivate researchers that contribute to commercialization and revenue growth.

Key Initiatives

Operation of Joint Research Institutes among Universities, Companies, and Regional Innovation Institutions

• Establishment of a Jeonbuk State–based industry–academia–research collaboration system among Jeonbuk anchor companies(leading SMEs in the growth ladder program and globally competitive hidden champions), corporate research institutes, regional innovation institutions, and regional universities
• Development and commercialization of innovative products through demand- and investment-driven R&D collaboration, jointly conducted by universities, government-funded research institutes, and local governments in response to the needs of Jeonbuk anchor companies

Project Development and Support among Universities, Companies, Regional Innovation Institutions, and Local Governments, and R&D Talent Development

• Implementation of commercialization-oriented R&D projects aligned with regional industries and Jeonbuk State–based companies
• Support for research and development projects centered on each university’s specialized fields, along with the cultivation of R&D professionals
• Identification of R&D projects to strengthen the regional industrial innovation ecosystem and technological innovation in Jeonbuk State
• Promotion of R&D activities and research talent development in linkage with special zones, clusters, and industrial complexes within Jeonbuk State

  * (example) Jeonbuk Research and Development Special Zone, Opportunity Development Special Zone, National Food Cluster, Saemangeum Secondary Battery Specialized Complex, Hydrogen Specialized National Industrial Complex, Agro-Life Industry District, Cultural Industry Promotion District, among others

  ※ Consortium participation with companies or innovation institutions outside Jeonbuk State is permitted, provided that concrete contribution plans for regional industrial development and enhancement of university competitiveness are presented.

Annual Implementation Plan (Example)