Ministry Of Science And ICT Launches Recruitment For 2,000 Students

Synopsis
South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT plans to recruit about 2,000 students for its online gifted science education program. The initiative aims to nurture young talent in STEM fields through virtual learning, advanced coursework, and mentoring, helping students develop problem-solving skills, scientific thinking, and future readiness in emerging technologies.

The Ministry of Science and ICT of South Korea, in collaboration with the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science & Creativity, has announced a nationwide recruitment drive for an advanced online gifted science education program aimed at strengthening youth capabilities in mathematics, science, and information technology (IT). The initiative will select 2,000 students from fifth-grade elementary students to first-year middle school students across the country, marking one of the largest structured digital gifted education programs in the nation.

According to the announcement made on the 12th, applications for the '2026 University-Affiliated Gifted Science Education Center Joint Online Advanced Education Program' will be accepted from the 15th to the 18th on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is designed to ensure early identification and nurturing of academically talented students while providing equal access to advanced learning opportunities regardless of geographic or socioeconomic background.

The online gifted education program is open to any student demonstrating interest or aptitude in science, mathematics, or IT-related fields. It is jointly developed and operated by 27 university-affiliated gifted science education centers designated by the Ministry of Science and ICT. These institutions have collaborated to design a standardized yet advanced curriculum that integrates academic rigor with interactive learning methodologies.

Selected students will undergo a structured training program consisting of 30 online learning sessions conducted between late June and early August during the summer vacation period. The curriculum includes video-based lectures, real-time interactive classes, assignments, quizzes, and one-on-one tutoring sessions. The program will be delivered by experienced educators, including university professors and subject-matter experts, ensuring a high level of academic quality and mentorship.

Upon successful completion of the course, all participants will receive an official certificate of completion, recognizing their participation in the advanced education program. In addition, approximately 180 high-performing students will be selected to participate in a special Creative Design Camp, a two-day, one-night science immersion program scheduled for September. This camp will allow students to apply their learning through collaborative problem-solving projects and hands-on scientific inquiry activities designed to strengthen creativity, innovation, and analytical thinking.

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The program is also closely linked with the admission systems of participating university-affiliated gifted science education centers. These institutions independently integrate performance in the online program into their selection criteria for future enrollment in their regular gifted education tracks, with outstanding students receiving additional evaluation points during admissions.

For the 2026 cycle, the program will maintain a total intake of 2,000 students, with an equal distribution of approximately 667 students per grade level. The application schedule is structured by grade, with first-year middle school students applying on the 15th, sixth-grade elementary students on the 16th, and fifth-grade elementary students on the 17th. If vacancies remain after the initial selection rounds, additional applications will be accepted on the 18th, ensuring full utilization of available seats.

Applications must be submitted through the official Gifted Education Database (GED) website, which serves as the centralized platform for registration and selection. To promote educational equity, students from island regions, remote areas, towns, and rural communities will receive priority consideration within up to 10 percent of the total available seats, ensuring broader access to advanced science education opportunities.

Officials from the Ministry of Science and ICT stated that the program is part of a broader national strategy to expand access to high-quality STEM education and cultivate future talent in science and technology fields. By leveraging online platforms and university-level academic expertise, the initiative aims to reduce regional disparities in education and provide equal opportunities for gifted students across South Korea.

The ministry further emphasized that the program is expected to play a key role in building a strong pipeline of future innovators, researchers, and technology professionals by offering early exposure to advanced scientific concepts and problem-solving methodologies. Through this initiative, South Korea continues its efforts to strengthen its global competitiveness in science education, digital learning, and innovation-driven talent development.