Jeonbuk National University (JBNU)'s nationally leading research competitiveness has been clearly demonstrated in its research funding awards.

On the 27th, according to data released on the University Information Disclosure website by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Korean Council for University Education, JBNU ranked first among major national universities both in total research funding and in research funding per faculty member. This marks the second consecutive year at No. 1.

In total research funding, JBNU secured approximately KRW 124.4 billion over the past year, ranking first among regional comprehensive universities and demonstrating the nation's top research competitiveness. This amount exceeded that of other major national universities with more than 200 additional faculty members by KRW 10–20 billion or more.

In the announced figures for research funding per full-time faculty member, JBNU obtained KRW 121.5 million per faculty member, placing it first among major national universities. Only JBNU and Mokpo National University had research funding per faculty member exceeding KRW 100 million.

Being at the top nationwide in both total research funding and research funding per faculty member is a clear indicator that the university is actively conducting research. JBNU secured research funding of KRW 35.9 billion in 2007, KRW 43.6 billion in 2008, KRW 98.8 billion in 2009, KRW 117.5 billion in 2010, and KRW 124.4 billion in 2011, representing more than a threefold increase in research funding over the past five years.

Indeed, JBNU continues to uphold its reputation as a university with outstanding research competitiveness. It ranked fifth nationwide in the Leiden Ranking for the proportion of papers in the top 10% and ninth nationwide in a leading daily newspaper's survey of papers in the world's top 1%.

JBNU's top national results on indicators of research competitiveness stem from strong synergies created by support systems that enable high-quality research, such as doubling promotion requirements and dramatically increasing incentives.

Analysts also point to JBNU's establishment and implementation since 2007 of a variety of programs to promote research and scholarly activities, and its operation of a faculty performance evaluation system that assesses research quality for high-quality publications, as reasons for the high level of research funding awards.

President Seo Geoseok said, "Because faculty research competitiveness is the driving force behind university development, the university headquarters' active support for quality research and the faculty's passionate efforts have combined to produce strong results. We will continue to strive to enable research that can change the world."