Korean researchers affiliated with overseas institutions, faculty members, and previous grant recipients are now eligible to apply
KRW 35 million to be awarded to 16 researchers; applications close August 7, with an award ceremony scheduled for October in Seoul
Editage, the flagship brand of technology company Cactus Communications (CACTUS), has expanded eligibility for the 2026 Editage Grant Program in South Korea and is now accepting applications for its third annual cycle.
The Editage Grant Program was launched in South Korea in 2024 to support early-career researchers with strong scientific potential who face challenges in securing funding and resources needed to advance their work and publish their findings. This year, Editage has expanded eligibility by easing restrictions related to institutional affiliation, location, career stage, and previous research funding. The changes are intended to place greater emphasis on the quality and potential of each applicant’s research.
Until last year, eligibility was limited to researchers affiliated with institutions in Korea. The 2026 program now welcomes Korean researchers working at universities and research institutions overseas. Editage has also opened the program to full time professors and eliminated the requirement that applicants must have received their PhD within the past seven years. Researchers who have previously received funding from other institutions or programs will be evaluated on equal footing during the selection process.
The revised criteria will allow Korean researchers based overseas, as well as faculty members, and researchers who received their doctoral degrees more than seven years ago to apply. By expanding eligibility, Editage aims to provide opportunities to a broader range of researchers who may not have qualified under previous criteria.
The program is open to Korean researchers aged 39 or younger, born on or after August 8, 1986. Eligible applicants include postdoctoral researchers, faculty members, researchers at government-funded research institutes, medical and clinical researchers affiliated with institutions in Korea and abroad. Graduate students pursuing a master’s degree or higher who are seeking independent research funding may also apply. Current master’s students will have to demonstrate research experience equivalent to that of a master’s degree holder or provide evidence of verifiable research achievements. All applicants, including those residing overseas, must be able to attend the award ceremony in Seoul in October.
Editage will award a total of KRW 35 million to 16 researchers. The Distinguished Research Award winner will receive KRW 10 million, five recipients of the Outstanding Research Award will each receive KRW 3 million, and 10 recipients of the Research Merit Award will each receive KRW 1 million.
“Breakthrough research can emerge from anywhere, but access to funding and support is not always distributed equally,” said Akhilesh Ayer, CEO of Cactus Communications. “As research becomes more global and interdisciplinary, it is critical to provide opportunities that enable talented researchers to pursue promising ideas irrespective of their career stage, institutional affiliation, or location. Through the Editage Grant Program, we aim to support the next generation of researchers and help accelerate the impact of their work.”
Makoto Yuasa, Chief Growth Officer, Research Solutions, Cactus Communications, added, “Since its launch in 2024, the Editage Grant Program has supported promising Korean researchers in advancing their work and contributing to scientific progress. By expanding the eligibility criteria this year, we hope to extend this opportunity to a broader pool of talent and enable more researchers to pursue their research ideas. We remain committed to supporting Korean researchers in communicating their findings and increasing their visibility within the international academic community.”
Applications will be accepted through August 7, 2026, and the award ceremony will be held in Seoul in October. More information on eligibility criteria and the application process is available on the official Editage Grant Program website.
