Under 90 days Training Program
Under 90 days Training Program
Background
- Scientific exchange is taking on an increasingly important role in strengthening science, technology and innovation (STI) capacity and regional connectivity across APEC economies. As knowledge sharing and joint research become more active within such interactions, structured programs are needed to ensure that scientists can carry out their activities through substantive collaboration.
These programs can lead to sustained collaboration between research institutions, building on exchanges among participating scientists.
Objective
- The program provides researchers from APEC member economies with opportunities to participate in research activities at research institutes and university laboratories in Korea through fellowships of less than 90 days, while advancing regional researcher mobility and expanding research cooperation networks.
Program Overview
- •Fellowship Information
| Category | Details |
| Eligible Applicants | citizens of APEC member economies who hold a Ph.D. or hold a Master’s degree(with at least three years of research experience) |
| Fields of Training | Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science and Life Science |
| Fellowship Period | October 5 - December 29, 2026 |
| Number of Fellows | 35 |
- •Nomination Information
| Category | Details |
| Nomination Quota | Each economy may nominate up to two applicants and one alternate for each application code* |
| Application Deadline | September 8, 2026 |
* Application codes are listed in Appendix 1, “List of Research Institutes, Research Activities and Application Codes.
Fellowship Activities
- •Opening Program
- Orientation, sessions on S&T policies and Korea’s international cooperation framework, and presentations of individual activity plans.
- Period : October 5 - 8, 2026
- Venue : Novotel Ambassador Seoul Yongsan (Addr. 95 Cheongpa-ro 20-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul)
| Day | Main Activities |
| Day 1 (Oct. 5) |
·Arrival in Korea and registration ·Program orientation, including living and safety information ·Welcome reception and networking |
| Day 2 (Oct. 6) |
·Opening ceremony ·Sessions on Korea’s S&T policy, R&D investment and international cooperation ·Presentations by fellows on S&T policy priorities in participating economies |
| Day 3 (Oct. 7) |
·Presentations of activity plans by fellows ·Exchange session featuring experiences from the previous fellowship program ·Briefing on Korea’s international S&T cooperation programs ·Introduction to Korean research institutions |
| Day 4 (Oct. 8) |
·Move to host institutions |
- •Lab-Based Fellowship Activities
- Lab-based research at host institutions and interim monitoring of fellowship activities.
- Period : October 9 - December 26, 2026
- Venue : Assigned research institutes and university laboratories in Korea
| Day | Main Activities |
| Weeks 1-4 | ·Research activities at host institutions based on individual fellowship activity plans |
| Weeks 5-8 | ·Continued research activities and interim monitoring of fellowship activities |
| Weeks 9-12 | ·Completion of fellowship activities and preparation of final presentation materials |
- •Closing Program
- Presentations on fellowship activities and research pre-proposals, cultural activities and a closing session.
- Period : December 27 - 29, 2026
- Venue : Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas (Addr. 521 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)
| Day | Main Activities |
| Day 1 (Dec. 27) |
·Cultural activities |
| Day 2 (Dec. 28) |
·Presentations on fellowship activities and proposed research plans ·Closing session |
| Day 3 (Dec. 29) |
·Departure from Korea |
Program Conditions and Restrictions
- Fellowship activities must remain within the research fields and topics specified in Appendix 1 and the approved individual activity plan.
- The following must be excluded as outputs of the Program:
- •Develop new inventions or conduct scientific or medical trials.
- •Promote specific products, services, firms or individuals.
- •Facilitate or “matchmake” investment or business relationships.
- •Conduct standalone competitions.
- •Involve activities with minors under the age of 18.
- •Involve activities with animals.
- Fellowship activities must not involve human testing, hazardous chemicals or any activity that may cause bodily or physical harm.
Application and Selection Procedure
| Phase | Procedure |
| Nomination | Each participating economy nominates applicants and alternates in accordance with the nomination quota and submits the required documents through its designated authority. |
| Document Review | Submitted applications are reviewed based on the applicants’ qualifications, research backgrounds and proposed activities. |
| Matching | Applicants are considered for placement according to their research fields, preferred application codes and the availability of host researchers. |
| Final Selection | Final selections are made following the document review and matching process. |
| Notification and Follow-up Procedures | Selection results and subsequent procedures are communicated to the selected applicants through the relevant authorities. |
Required Documents
- •Application Form and Activity Plan (Appendix 2)
- •Certificate of Final Degree
- •Copy of a passport with at least one year of remaining validity
- ※Please name each file as follows:
1. ApplicationForm_ActivityPlan_Name
2. DegreeCertificate_Name
3. PassportCopy_Name - ※Additional Document after Final Selection
1. Proof of overseas insurance coverage (to be submitted by selected applicants upon request)
Financial Support for Fellows
- •Round-trip airfare (Economy class)
- •Accommodation during the fellowship period
- •Living expenses
- •Travel insurance during the stay in Korea
- ※Support is provided within program limits.
- ※Program-arranged accommodation is provided as part of the program’s financial support and may include private bedrooms with shared facilities. Support for independently arranged accommodation will be determined separately.
- ※Fellows are expected to participate in the fellowship without accompanying persons. Program-arranged accommodation is reserved exclusively for fellows, and accompanying persons are not permitted to stay. The program does not provide accommodation, airfare, insurance, financial assistance or administrative support for accompanying persons.
- ※The program provides limited travel insurance coverage. Selected fellows must obtain separate overseas travel insurance.
Contact Information
- For inquiries regarding the program and application procedures, please contact:
- •INITHiNK (Program Organizer)
- •Email : kimwhun@inithink.co.kr
- •Website : https://sipkorea2026.kr