Kyung Hee University (KHU) has been selected as the 2025 Global-Learning & Academic research institution for Master’s & Ph. D students and Postdocs (G-LAMP) in the space science category. Starting from August 31, the University will be receiving up to 5 years of funding for a maximum amount of 25 billion won. Building upon this support, the university aims to further research on astronomy, space, and particle science by re-organizing campus research centers as well as establishing its own key theme research institution, the Next-generation Exploration of Universe and Space (NEXUS).

G-LAMP and its implications for KHU

G-LAMP is a national initiative launched in 2023 to encourage universities to conduct research in the basic sciences. Funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Ministry of Education, it directly supports universities all around the country in renovating and restructuring existing research institutions. Through this support, it aims to promote large scale, multidisciplinary convergence research as well as global joint research across campuses.

Of the 12 basic science categories that G-LAMP supports, KHU was selected in the astronomy, space, and particle science area. As a result, the University will receive funding of 5 billion won per year over a three-year period. This support can be extended for two more years if KHU passes a project achievement evaluation scheduled in 2028, for a maximum 25 billion won.

KHU has been preparing for the G-LAMP project since 2024. It has already conducted a comprehensive survey throughout on-campus research centers and laboratories that ended earlier this year. Based on the results, the University is planning to combine and re-structure 30 of its natural science, engineering, medical, and pharmaceutical laboratories into 15 research centers. Through this effort, KHU plans on nurturing internationalized, interdisciplinary research institutions competitive on a global scale.

KHU’s Key Theme Research Center, NEXUS

In addition to this restructuring, another key aspect of the G-LAMP project is the establishment of a “key theme research center.” For this, KHU is on track to create the Next-generation Exploration of Universe and Space (NEXUS) research center.

NEXUS is an integrated research institute for the development of space exploration that will cover three key areas: space exploration technology, space artificial intelligence (space AI), and fundamental space medicine. Professor Seon Jong-ho of the Dept. of Astronomy and Space Science will lead the institution, with professors Song Young-joo and Moon Yong-jae from the same department taking upon the key research tasks of essential space exploration technology and space AI, respectively. School of Medicine assistant professor Kim Man-seok will be leading fundamental space medicine research.

As research and development on space exploration requires vast resources and international cooperation, NEXUS plans on establishing global joint research ties for all three of its key academic areas. KHU has already finalized a collaborative research agreement with the University of California, Berkeley, and plans to expand connections to more world-leading universities and institutions in the U.S., Europe, and China.

According to NEXUS director Prof. Seon, the center is a new milestone for space exploration research at KHU. “We are the only South Korean university actively participating in domestic and global ventures into space. The newly established research center is an opportunity to heighten KHU’s contributions in space research and development,” he said. Prof. Seon also invited global scholars to join, emphasizing that “We plan to recruit master's and postdoctoral academics for specialized faculty and research positions at NEXUS. We are looking forward to working with aspiring and talented researchers across the globe.”

The start of the G-LAMP project sets a new milestone for the University’s academic endeavors into space. Through improving on-campus research structures and establishing NEXUS, KHU is on course to make greater contributions towards Korean and global advances in space science and exploration. It is hoped that the cohesive work of KHU’s faculty, staff, and student community will improve university research, attract talented academics, and produce valuable work in the upcoming years.