Jeonbuk National University Institute for Southeast Asian Studies(JISEAS) has been selected for the "2025 Institute Programs in Humanities and Social Sciences," sponsored by the National Research Foundation of Korea.

This year, 38 projects were selected from a total of 259 applicants.

JISEAS was included, which is a big deal. It was chosen from a group of many competitors, and the ratio was about 7 to 1. This is important for the Korean Southeast Asian studies community. It is the only project chosen that focuses on Southeast Asia. It is estimated that, as a result of this new project, JISEAS will receive a total of KRW 1.8695 billion (including indirect costs) in research funding over a six-year period, from September 2025 to August 2031.

The new research project, "Critical Regional Research on Southeast Asia's Development Model in Transition," aims to explore how Southeast Asia can develop in the face of crises, including international instability and climate change. This research uses "critical regional studies" as a methodological framework to address the limitations of existing development studies. Historically, development studies have focused on Western regions and Northeast Asia while  overlooking the historical experiences and regional context of Southeast Asia.  In this regard, the present research can contribute to "critical development studies," a field that demands a propound understanding of the Southeast Asian region.

This new initiative aims to broaden the scope of research by incorporating the concept of "nature" into the current "people-centered" research model. This integration aims to clarify how to achieve a harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

This new project selection will allow us to continue operating various existing programs, including the Southeast Asian Language Camp.

JISEAS is a research institute at Jeonbuk National University. It is the only research institute in Southeast Asia outside of Seoul and Busan. JISEAS aims to connect Southeast Asian development with global agendas. It also aims to suggest desirable paths for Korea-ASEAN cooperation.

We ask for your continued interest and support for the research and activities of JISEAS.