UK semiconductor stakeholder forum delegation to the Republic of Korea
Published 13 December 2024
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The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is inviting ambitious semiconductor researchers and organisations to participate in a mission to the Republic of Korea (RoK).
Successful candidates will build networks with Korean semiconductor researchers and companies for joint R&D collaboration, and support DSIT to identify collaborative semiconductor research and innovation (R&I) opportunities between the UK and RoK.
Visit dates
The visit will:
- take place in week commencing 17 February 2025
- be a 3-day tailored programme to support innovative UK and Korean semiconductor collaboration
The programme will be personalised based on the attendees, but it will include visits to Korean semiconductor organisations, networking opportunities with Korean stakeholders and policymakers, presentations from experts and industry leaders, and workshops a roundtable with Korean experts and government representatives on collaboration opportunities.
We welcome applications from all stakeholders that would benefit from collaboration with the Republic of Korea. We are particularly interested in applicants interested in collaborating with Korea in the following areas of semiconductor research:
- Heterogeneous integration and advanced packaging (including AI hardware)
- Wide band gap materials and packaging for power electronics
- Future telecoms
- Advanced technologies for smart networks
- RF wireless and photonics
Visit objectives
The programme offers the opportunity to create connections, develop joint UK and ROK R&I collaboration proposals and provide suggestions to DSIT to support this.
The programme will support UK and ROK stakeholders to take advantage of jointly funded R&I programmes – which could include the Horizon Europe, Eureka, and any future bilateral programmes.
Eligibility
All UK-registered stakeholders with a focus on semiconductors, that are interested in R&I collaboration and commercialisation are eligible to apply.
We want to include a variety of stakeholders, for example across different focus areas and UK geographical locations.
Some stakeholders, including SMEs, may be eligible for funding to cover the costs of the trip. Further detail will be provided to successful applicants. Further funding will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Application and deadline
Eligible stakeholders that are interesting in participating are invited to submit the following competitive application form.
DSIT is looking to attract stakeholders that are likely to successfully engage in collaborative R&I projects with the Republic of Korea in the future.
The application window opened on Friday 13 December 2024.
Applications from eligible stakeholders must be received by 9am on Friday 3 January 2025. We expect to announce the successful applicants during the week commencing Monday 13 January 2025.
Expected timeline
| Date | Stage |
|---|---|
| Friday 13 December 2024 | Application window opens |
| Friday 3 January 2025 | Application window closes |
| Week commencing Monday 13 January 2025 | Successful organisations announced |
| Week commencing 7 February 2025 | Pre-visit virtual workshop |
| Week commencing 17 February 2025 | Visit to the Republic of Korea |
The timeline above may be subject to change.
Background
The UK’s recent association to Horizon Europe alongside continued participation in the Eureka programme, enables impactful new opportunities for R&I research with the Republic of Korea, who have also become associated with these programmes.
To unlock these benefits, UK organisations with an interest in R&I need to be integrated into the Korean semiconductor ecosystem to identify potential partners for joint innovation projects. enables impactful new opportunities for R&I research with the Republic of Korea, who have also become associated with these programmes. To unlock these benefits, UK organisations with an interest in R&I need to be integrated into the Korean semiconductor ecosystem to identify potential partners for joint innovation projects.
The Republic of Korea is a natural partner for semiconductor collaboration due to its strong position in the international semiconductor ecosystem. The UK and Republic of Korea signed the UK-RoK Framework for Semiconductor Cooperation in November 2023 and have had many positive bilateral conversations since.
More broadly, the Republic of Korea is a world leader in science, research, innovation and critical tech. In recent years, the South Korean semiconductor industry has seen significant growth, with major players like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix driving advancements. This strength in manufacturing is supported by a strong R&D ecosystem led by institutions such as the Inter-University Semiconductor Research Centre at Seoul National University and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT).
The UK also has particular semiconductor strengths in chip design/architectures, compound/new material semiconductors, silicon photonics and advanced packaging techniques. The Innovate UK Global Expert Mission to the Republic of Korea outcome report that was published earlier this year suggested the following areas for collaboration between the UK and RoK:
- Heterogeneous integration and advanced packaging (including AI hardware)
- Wide band gap materials and packaging for Power Electronics
- Future telecoms
- Advanced technologies for smart networks
- RF Wireless and Photonics
SME defined as any organisation that has fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of less than £41.4 million or a balance sheet total less than £35.6 million. A breakdown of the different organisation sizes is in the below table.
Breakdown of the different organisation sizes
| Turnover or balance sheet total | Headcount | Business size |
|---|---|---|
| Turnover less than £41.4 million, or balance sheet total less than £35.6 million | Fewer than 250 | Medium sized |
| Turnover less than £8.3 million, or balance sheet total less than £8.3 million | Fewer than 50 | Small |
| Turnover less than £1.7 million, or balance sheet total less than £1.7 million | Fewer than 10 | Micro |