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Kyung Hee University has been selected for the Ministry of Science and ICT’s R&D Support Program for STEM Graduate Research Stipends, commonly referred to as the Korean Stipend Program. The national initiative integrates student support across R&D projects to provide stable funding for graduate researchers in science and engineering

The program aims to reduce the financial burden on STEM graduate students by providing basic research stipends so that they can fully focus on their work—not on how to afford it. President Jinsang Kim remarked, “This selection recognizes Kyung Hee’s longstanding commitment to student success through high-quality education and academic support. It is a meaningful step toward nurturing creative leaders for an era of transformation. Kyung Hee will continue to build a world-class research ecosystem.”

A sustainable growth ecosystem for future scholars
Under the vision of “Building a Sustainable Growth Ecosystem for Future Scholars,” Kyung Hee has set mid- to long-term goals in three areas: (1) establishing a fully immersive research environment, (2) strengthening research-driven growth support, and (3) building a sustainable funding structure. To realize these goals, the University has outlined a long-term roadmap through 2033 with three phases: foundation building, growth acceleration, and ecosystem completion. Each phase is designed to progressively expand both the scale and quality of support.

During the foundation-building phase, Kyung Hee will introduce the KHU Graduate Research Stipend, setting baseline stipend levels aligned with the national program and expanding eligibility to all graduate students in science and engineering. The University will also conduct a comprehensive review of current stipend distribution to create a more efficient and equitable support system. To secure stable funding, Kyung Hee will launch the Together Research Campaign, which aims to ensure realistic labor cost allocations for graduate student researchers in large-scale R&D projects. This initiative is designed to establish a consistent and sustainable framework for supporting graduate researchers.

In the growth acceleration phase, the University plans to expand the pool of stipend recipients and introduce Kyung Hee Stipend-Plus, a performance-based program for outstanding graduate researchers. Stipend-Plus will recognize achievements such as publications in leading academic journals, patent applications, entrepreneurial activity, and other forms of research-driven innovation. In doing so, Kyung Hee seeks not only to fund research, but also to create opportunities for graduate students to translate their work into tangible outcomes.

Completing the ecosystem: research immersion, growth support, and sustainable funding
In the final ecosystem completion phase, Kyung Hee will enhance the quality and continuity of support. The University will track and develop research performance both quantitatively and qualitatively; identify and reward exceptional researchers; and strengthen systems for student entrepreneurship, technology commercialization consulting, and post-graduation career development. At this stage, the goal is long-term stability. Kyung Hee aims to operate a diversified funding portfolio, improve financial self-sufficiency over time, and ensure that graduate researchers can grow in a secure and sustainable research environment—without being forced to choose between economic survival and academic achievement.

Director Een-Kee Hong of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation stated, “Kyung Hee is fully committed to making sure the next generation of scholars can focus on their research without financial anxiety. Being selected for this program reflects both the University’s research strengths and our determination to develop the next generation of researchers. We will use every resource available to help our students grow into the people shaping what comes next.”