- Building on existing partnerships in AI (Carnegie Mellon, University of Toronto) and cybersecurity (University of Oxford), Korea will launch a new global training track in the AI semiconductor field, sending graduate students to top-tier universities.
- Korean institutions to be selected for curriculum design and trainee selection between April 10 and May 21.

The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister: Yoo Sang-im, hereinafter referred to as “MSIT”) announced that from April 10 (Wednesday) to May 21 (Tuesday), it will open a call for applications to select Korean institutions to lead a new overseas training track in artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors, as part of the “Short-Term Intensive Training Program for Digital Talent”, which supports sending Korean graduate students to top global universities for ICT-related research and training.

Launched in 2019 with an advanced AI curriculum at Carnegie Mellon University, the program has since expanded to include the University of Toronto (AI convergence, 2023–) and the University of Oxford (cybersecurity, 2025–). Each year, around 30 master’s and doctoral students per track receive support for a six-month program that includes theoretical coursework and hands-on research, aimed at strengthening their global research capabilities.

The newly established training track focuses on AI semiconductors, a field considered central to both AI development and commercialization. As major advanced economies compete to lead in this technology, the new track will be implemented in line with Korea’s “AI-Semiconductor Initiative” (April 2024), which outlines national plans for infrastructure development, talent cultivation, and global cooperation in this area.

To date, a total of 218 students have completed the program (188 in the advanced AI track, 30 in the AI convergence track). Program graduates have published five papers in SCI-level journals and contributed 31 papers to international conferences. Some have gone on to join leading Korean companies, where they are working on AI model development and the enhancement of AI-driven manufacturing processes—demonstrating a growing presence across both academia and industry.

With the addition of the new track, the program will now offer four specialized training courses. Each year, approximately 120 outstanding young researchers will be sent to leading global universities for advanced education, practical training, and international collaboration.

Before issuing the call, MSIT collected feedback from AI semiconductor experts across industry, academia, and research institutes to identify the competencies required for graduate-level students, as well as the types of training that should be prioritized for intensive development through overseas dispatch. Based on this input, the ministry plans to manage and guide the selected programs to focus on AI semiconductor architecture design and development.

The purpose of this call is to select domestic institutions that will be responsible for developing the curriculum and managing the student selection process. Applicants must independently identify a foreign partner university and submit a comprehensive proposal outlining their plans for program implementation. Selected projects may receive up to KRW 2 billion per year—KRW 500 million in 2025 as the initial year—for a period of up to six years (3+3).

Once the call closes, submitted proposals will be reviewed in June, and the selected institutions will begin preparing their programs in July. After working with overseas universities to finalize curriculum and operational details, the first cohort of students is expected to begin overseas training in 2026.

Park Tae-wan, Director General of the ICT Industry Policy at MSIT, stated, “Korea’s AI semiconductor sector holds significant growth potential. To take the lead in developing high-performance, low-power, and energy-efficient AI semiconductors, it is essential to provide next-generation experts with comprehensive and advanced training opportunities.”

He added, “Through this international training initiative, we will continue to support young Koreans in gaining the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the global AI semiconductor industry.”

Details of the call can be found on the official websites of the Ministry of Science and ICT (www.msit.go.kr), the Integrated R&D Information System (www.iris.go.kr), and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (www.iitp.kr).

※A program briefing session will take place on Tuesday, April 22 at 2:00 PM at the 12th floor conference room of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), designated as the IITP conference room.

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.


Please refer to the attached PDF.