Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), together with nine other universities in the Jeonbuk region (Gunsan University, Woosuk University, Wonkwang University, Jeonju University, Howon University, Gunjang University, Wonkwang Health Science College, Jeonju Kijeon College, Jeonju Vision College), will establish a shared and collaborative innovation platform through the LINC 3.0 Project Group (Leaders in INdustry-university Cooperation 3.0).

To this end, the ten universities agreed to cooperate to build the LINC 3.0 Project Group and to revitalize industry–university–research collaboration, and on the 8th they signed an official memorandum of understanding at JBNU.

The third-phase LINC initiative will be carried out over six years from this year through 2027, and will provide between KRW 2 billion and KRW 5.5 billion depending on each university's project type. The Ministry of Education will accept LINC 3.0 project proposals until March 3, and after selection evaluations by type will announce the selected universities in April, 2022.

Among the three project types, in the Jeonbuk region JBNU will apply for the Technology Innovation Leading type; Gunsan University, Woosuk University, Wonkwang University, and Jeonju University will apply for the Demand‑Customized Growth type; and Howon University will apply for the Collaboration Infrastructure Building type. In addition, Gunjang University, Wonkwang Health Science College, Jeonju Kijeon College, and Jeonju Vision College will apply under the vocational colleges' Demand‑Customized Growth and Collaboration Infrastructure Building types.

Through this agreement, the ten universities in the Jeonbuk region agreed to build a shared platform for "activation and sustainability of industry–university–research collaboration" through close cooperation. Through this platform, they will create a shared, collaborative ecosystem for joint growth by training talent for future industries, fostering entrepreneurial universities that generate high added value, strengthening the foundations to enhance the sustainability of industry–university–research collaboration, cultivating future‑leading innovative talent, and operating a joint network for global industry–university–research cooperation.

They also plan to strengthen sharing and cooperation in each university's specialized fields and to support the growth of later‑joining universities to this project through mutual consulting and other measures.

President Kim Dong‑won said, "To date, universities in the Jeonbuk region have led regional industry–university collaboration by participating in the second‑phase LINC+ program. If we link the LINC 3.0 initiative with the local community based on solidarity and cooperation among universities, it will greatly contribute not only to enhancing university competitiveness but also to the mutual growth of companies and local communities." He added, "Taking this agreement as an opportunity, we will work to establish a shared and collaborative innovation platform among industry, academia, research and government to maximize the operational efficiency of the LINC 3.0 initiative and to maximize its outcomes."