The S-Oil Science Prodigy and Culture Foundation, a nonprofit foundation established by S-Oil, conferred Monday “Dissertation of the Year Awards” to five Korean scientists to support their academic research and foster young talents.

“These young scientists who gained worldwide recognition for publishing excellent dissertations in basic science fields with academic passion and perseverance are the force that will propel the nation forward,” said an official of the foundation.

The foundation granted 145 million won ($130,500) in fellowships to five award winners in the categories of mathematics, biology, and earth science at the award ceremony held at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul.

“The SSPCF will continue to make active efforts to expand support for those scientists so that they can dedicate themselves fully to research with financial stability,” the official said.

Yoo Min-ha from Seoul National University and Won Hye-jung from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology were awarded the grand prize of 50 million won each in the categories of mathematics and biology.

Encouragement prizes went to Park Jin-hyung of KAIST, Cho Hyun-woo of Pohang University of Science and Technology and Choi Jin-hyuk from Pukyong National University along with a certificate of commendation and a fellowship of 15 million won each.

The awards were established in 2011 in a bid to foster academic research in the five basic sciences of physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and earth science. The SSPCF selects the top researchers on the recommendation of the Korea Academy of Science and Technology and the Korean University Presidents Association to offer them study fellowships.

The SSPCF runs a variety of programs such as the S-Oil Frontier Scientist Fellowship to support research in the science fields and cultivate talented scientists.

By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)