Seoul RISE

Introduction to the Seoul RISE Project

  • RISE (Regional Innovation System & Education) is a government project that empowers local governments to manage university funding programs, promoting the co-growth of regions and universities.
  • Seoul RISE Project aims to strategically drive Seoul’s economic and industrial development in collaboration with universities, leading future innovation and growth.
  • A key focus of the project is the development of the AI industry and AI talent, positioning Seoul as a global hub for artificial intelligence.

Vision and Goals

Table Caption
목적 서울시 RISE 체계는 市의 경제산업 발전과 연계한 전략적 대학지원으로 서울시와 대학의 동반성장을 추진하여 대학과 함께
서울의 미래혁신을 성장시키도록 함
비전 대학과 함께하는 글로벌 미래혁신 성장도시 서울
목표 글로벌 대학 경쟁력 강화, 서울 전략산업 성장 선도, 대학의 지역기여 활성화

Project Duration

  • Total Project Period: May 2025~February 2030 (5 years) 
    - Initial 3 years (May 2025~February 2028) + Extension of 2 years (March 2028~February 2030)
  • Universities ranked within the top 70% based on the interim evaluation in the 3rd year will be granted a 2-year extension.
  • 1st Year Project Period: May 2025~February 2026 (10 months)

Project Details

  • In 2025, four major projects comprising 11 unit programs will be announced, selected, and supported. Refer to the Seoul RISE Center for the official Seoul RISE Project announcement.
  • Each university will establish autonomous goals and implementation plans that align with the Seoul RISE Project and unit programs, reflecting their unique conditions and strengths.
  • Six existing Ministry of Education university support programs (covering 28 universities with a total budget of approximately 79 billion KRW) will be transferred to the Seoul RISE Center and integrated into project operations.
Table Caption
Category Project Unit Project
Seoul RISE Project

1. Strengthening Global
Competitiveness of Universities

① Leading Global Industry-Academia Collaboration
② Attracting Global Talent for Advanced and Future Industries
③ Enhancing Global Competencies of Future Talent
2. Enhancing the Foundation
of Seoul’s Strategic Industries
④ Strengthening the Industry-Academia Collaboration Ecosystem
⑤ Expanding the Innovation Ecosystem for AI and Bio Clusters
⑥ Cultivating Talent for Creative Industries
3. Promoting Co-Growth
with the Local Community
⑦ Solving Regional Issues
⑧ Promoting Seoul-Regional Sharing and Cooperation
⑨ Building the Seoul Future Talent Education Ecosystem
4. Advancing Lifelong
and Vocational Education
⑩ Advancing Seoul’s Lifelong Education System
⑪ Nurturing Highly Skilled Technical Professionals
5. Fostering
University-Based Startups
⑫ Seoul Campus Town Development
Transition Programs Ministry of Education
University Support Programs
  • Innovative Convergence University Program for Advanced Fields
  • Leading University Program for Early Employment-Based Contract Departments
  • Leading College Program for Early Employment-Based Contract Departments (for Junior Colleges)
  • University Support Program for Commercialization of Creative Assets
  • University Startup Education System Development Program
  • Specialized Leading College Program for Emerging Industries

Introduction to the Seoul RISE Project

  • RISE (Regional Innovation System & Education) is a government project that empowers local governments to manage university funding programs, promoting the co-growth of regions and universities.
  • Seoul RISE Project aims to strategically drive Seoul’s economic and industrial development in collaboration with universities, leading future innovation and growth.
  • A key focus of the project is the development of the AI industry and AI talent, positioning Seoul as a global hub for artificial intelligence.

Vision and Goals

Seoul RISE Project Framework
    Seoul’s RISE Project promotes the co-growth of the city and its universities through strategic university support aligned with the                    city's economic and industrial development, driving future innovation and growth together with universities.

■ Vision
    Seoul, a Global City of Future Innovation, Growing Together with Universities

Goals
    Seoul, a Global City of Future Innovation, Growing Together with Universities

  • Strengthen the global competitiveness of universities
  • Lead the growth of Seoul’s strategic industries
  • Enhance universities’ contributions to the local community
     

Quantitative Targets

  • 10 Seoul universities ranked in the global top 500
  • 20% workforce growth in AI, Bio, and Creative Industries
  • 500 research projects benefiting local communities
     

Performance Targets

  • Foster 8 Leading Universities: 40 born global startups, 500 international talents, 500 global competency talents
  • Foster 20 Industry-Academia Universities: 1,200 industry-academia talents, 500 creative industry talents
  • Cultivate 500 Regional Talents: 500 Seoul-regional talents, 100 Neulbom programs
  • Engage 2,500 Citizens: 800 highly skilled professionals
  • Support 1,000 University Startup Teams Annually
     

Implementation Foundation

  • Project operation and performance management
  • Enactment of related ordinances
  • Establishment of governance structures
  • Establishment of the Seoul RISE Center

Project Duration

  • Total Project Period: May 2025~February 2030 (5 years) 
    - Initial 3 years (May 2025~February 2028) + Extension of 2 years (March 2028~February 2030)
  • Universities ranked within the top 70% based on the interim evaluation in the 3rd year will be granted a 2-year extension.
  • 1st Year Project Period: May 2025~February 2026 (10 months)

Project Details

  • In 2025, four major projects comprising 11 unit programs will be announced, selected, and supported. Refer to the Seoul RISE Center for the official Seoul RISE Project announcement.
  • Each university will establish autonomous goals and implementation plans that align with the Seoul RISE Project and unit programs, reflecting their unique conditions and strengths.
  • Six existing Ministry of Education university support programs (covering 28 universities with a total budget of approximately 79 billion KRW) will be transferred to the Seoul RISE Center and integrated into project operations.
Table Caption
Category Project Unit Project
Seoul RISE Project

1. Strengthening Global
Competitiveness of Universities

① Leading Global Industry-Academia Collaboration
② Attracting Global Talent for Advanced and Future Industries
③ Enhancing Global Competencies of Future Talent
2. Enhancing the Foundation
of Seoul’s Strategic Industries
④ Strengthening the Industry-Academia Collaboration Ecosystem
⑤ Expanding the Innovation Ecosystem for AI and Bio Clusters
⑥ Cultivating Talent for Creative Industries
3. Promoting Co-Growth
with the Local Community
⑦ Solving Regional Issues
⑧ Promoting Seoul-Regional Sharing and Cooperation
⑨ Building the Seoul Future Talent Education Ecosystem
4. Advancing Lifelong
and Vocational Education
⑩ Advancing Seoul’s Lifelong Education System
⑪ Nurturing Highly Skilled Technical Professionals
5. Fostering
University-Based Startups
⑫ Seoul Campus Town Development
Transition Programs Ministry of Education
University Support Programs
  • Innovative Convergence University Program for Advanced Fields
  • Leading University Program for Early Employment-Based Contract Departments
  • Leading College Program for Early Employment-Based Contract Departments (for Junior Colleges)
  • University Support Program for Commercialization of Creative Assets
  • University Startup Education System Development Program
  • Specialized Leading College Program for Emerging Industries
  • Explore Seoul RISE at the Seoul RISE Center. 

  • Address: 416 Gaepo-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 06324
  • Website: https://www.seoulrise.or.kr/
  • Email: seoulrise@si.re.kr