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Women’s Bioscience Forum (WBF) President Yim Hyung-shin, left, and Lee Woo-kyun, chairman of the Moonsook Science Foundation, pose after extending their memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the foundation’s office in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of WBF
The Women’s Bioscience Forum (WBF) and the Moonsook Science Foundation have reaffirmed their partnership to support and foster outstanding women scientists through the Moonsook Saebyul Award.
On Friday, the two organizations extended their memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the foundation’s office in Seoul, confirming their commitment to jointly operate the award and maintain a broader framework of cooperation. The renewed agreement builds on the original MOU signed in 2024, which aims at strengthening support for women in the life sciences.
Established in 2005, the award recognizes and encourages exceptional researchers in the domestic life sciences field, including doctoral students, research assistants with master’s degrees and postdoctoral researchers. Since its inception, 66 women have received the award. Since 2024, Moonsook has sponsored the program, granting 1 million won ($700) each to three doctoral researchers and 2 million won each to two postdoctoral researchers.
Founded in 2001, WBF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening national competitiveness in life sciences by supporting women through career-building programs, academic exchanges and professional networking. WBF’s initiatives aim to create a sustainable growth ecosystem for women in science.
“This continued partnership will help ensure that the research achievements of women scientists receive broader recognition beyond academic evaluation alone,” said WBF President Yim Hyung-shin, a professor at Hanyang University. “It is particularly meaningful to continue collaborating with Moonsook Science Foundation, which has long been committed to scholarship support.”
Moonsook Science Foundation, established in 2012 through a donation from its late patron Moon Sook, has contributed to scientific advancement and talent cultivation in fields ranging from biomedical sciences to agriculture, the environment and livestock industries.
Moon, born in 1924 in North Pyongan Province, North Korea, moved to South Korea in 1947 and devoted herself to societal development through business and rural development initiatives. After recovering from Stage 4 pulmonary tuberculosis in her 20s, she became a strong supporter of medical and scientific advancement. In 2012, she funded the Moonsook Medical Building at Korea University as well as the foundation bearing her name. She was awarded the Mogryeon (Magnolia) Medal of the Order of Civil Merit in 2014.
Lee Woo-kyun, the foundation chairman, emphasized the importance of investing in early-career women scientists.
“Supporting the stable growth of talented women scientists is an important investment in the future of science and technology,” he said.
Under the renewed MOU, WBF and Moonsook Science Foundation will collaborate closely on the full awards process, including candidate identification and recommendation, award selection, ceremony organization, and external communications, to ensure credibility and sustainability.
This year’s award ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 11 at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Seoul, where five awardees will be honored.
