- Up to KRW 3.9 billion available upon advancement to Phase 2… Expected to leap forward as a leading university in technology commercialization

Incheon National University (President: In-jae Lee) achieved outstanding results in the 2026 Technology Management Promotion “IP Star Scientist Support Program,” a representative technology commercialization initiative in the field of science and technology, demonstrating its strong capabilities in IP-based research commercialization.

The university announced that a total of eight research teams applied for the program, which is organized by the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology Commercialization under the Ministry of Science and ICT, and four teams were ultimately selected, resulting in a 50% selection rate.

The selected research teams were led by ▲Professor Dong-gu Kang (Department of Chemistry) ▲Professor Won-jong Lee (Division of Biotechnology) ▲Professor Han-boram Lee (Department of Materials Science and Engineering) ▲Professor Hyun-gyu Choi (Department of Electrical Engineering). The achievement is regarded as national recognition not only of Incheon National University’s research excellence, but also of its competitiveness in technology commercialization based on intellectual property (IP).

Researchers selected for Phase 1 of the Technology Management Promotion (IP Star Scientist Support Program)

From left: Professor Dong-gu Kang, Professor Won-jong Lee, Professor Han-boram Lee, and Professor Hyun-gyu Choi

At a time when the industrial application of technologies held by universities and public research institutions is increasingly linked to national competitiveness, the program carries significant policy value in aiming to establish a full-cycle innovation system connecting “technology → patents → commercialization.”

If the selected teams advance to Phase 2 following future evaluations, each team may receive up to KRW 800 million in additional funding. This support will enable the active promotion of core technology advancement, prototype development, technology validation (TRL advancement), and technology transfer.

This is particularly meaningful because it expands beyond simply publishing research results and moves into the stage of practical commercialization, including real industrial applications and corporate collaboration.

Building on this achievement, Incheon National University plans to further accelerate the commercialization of the university’s intellectual property and strengthen a virtuous cycle in which research outcomes are directly connected to industry.

President In-jae Lee stated, “This achievement demonstrates national recognition that the research outcomes and intellectual property of Incheon National University possess real commercialization potential,” adding, “Based on future large-scale project funding, we will actively commercialize the university’s outstanding IP and grow into a leading university in technology commercialization.”

Dong-gu Kang, Head of the Industry–Academic Cooperation Foundation, also emphasized, “This selection proves not only research excellence, but also the university’s ability to connect intellectual property with industry,” adding, “We will strengthen full-cycle support ranging from discovering promising technologies and securing IP to technology transfer and startup creation.”

Meanwhile, Incheon National University continues to strengthen its industry–academic cooperation and technology commercialization capabilities, contributing to regional industrial innovation and national competitiveness.