10-12students
Global High School Track
For international high school students living outside Korea who want to participate in an iGEM-focused project guided by Korean mentors.
Build an 
Project
with Korean Research Mentors.
Join a globally connected, mentor-guided synthetic biology project. Develop your ideas through live Zoom sessions, then travel to Korea during summer break for supervised, hands-on laboratory work.
22–29 Openings
Track 1: 10–12 · Track 2: 10–12 · Track 3: 2–5
Live Online Guidance
Project classes and mentoring delivered via Zoom
Apgujeong Laboratory
8F Apgujeong B/D, 842 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Participant-Funded
Project and participation expenses are self-funded
One project journey. Three ways to join.
Every track is guided by Korean research mentors. Choose the pathway that best matches your nationality, residence, and role in the project.
10-12students
Korean High School Track
For Korean high school students living in Korea or overseas who want to build an iGEM-focused project with guidance from Korean mentors.
2-5undergraduate mentors
Undergraduate Mentor Track
For university students currently based in Korea who want to support project planning, student communication, research documentation, and team operations as junior mentors.
Connect online. Experiment in Korea. Build globally.
The program combines remote collaboration with concentrated, in-person laboratory work, allowing students in different countries to develop one shared project with consistent mentor guidance.
Start your application →01
Apply to the Right Track
Share your background, location, interests, experience, and motivation for joining the 2027 project.
02
Form the Team Online
Meet your Korean mentors and teammates, align expectations, and establish roles for effective cross-border collaboration.
03
Develop the Project via Zoom
Define the problem, review scientific literature, refine the concept, plan experiments, and prepare for laboratory execution.
04
Conduct Summer Lab Work in Seoul
Travel to Korea during summer break and perform supervised experiments at our Apgujeong laboratory in Gangnam-gu.
05
Analyze, Document, and Present
Interpret results, improve the project through iteration, and contribute to scientific communication and final team deliverables.
More than an online class.
Participants contribute to a real team process — from the first question to experimental results and scientific communication.
A mentor-guided pathway from idea to evidence.
Work with Korean research mentors to turn a real-world challenge into a testable synthetic biology project, then bring the plan into the laboratory in Korea.
Research Mentoring
Structured guidance for literature review, project design, experimental planning, and problem solving.
Global Collaboration
Build communication and teamwork skills across countries, schools, and cultural backgrounds.
Hands-On Laboratory Work
Translate the online project plan into supervised experiments at our Apgujeong laboratory in Seoul.
Scientific Communication
Develop experience in data interpretation, documentation, visual communication, and presentation.
Hands-on research in Apgujeong, Seoul.
After developing the project through Zoom, participants will visit Korea during summer break for supervised laboratory work guided by Korean research mentors.
Important cost information
This is a fully self-funded participation program.
Each participant is responsible for all applicable expenses related to the program and project. Depending on the final team plan, these may include mentoring or program fees, laboratory materials, team or competition-related fees, travel to Korea, accommodation, insurance, meals, local transportation, and personal expenses.
A detailed cost estimate and payment schedule will be shared before enrollment. Applicants under 18 should review the expected commitment and expenses with a parent or legal guardian.
Your iGEM journey can start here.
Tell us who you are, which track fits you, and what fields of synthetic biology interest you. Selected applicants will receive detailed information on project themes, schedule, roles, selection criteria, and expected costs.
- 22–29 openings across three recruitment tracks
- Guidance from Korean research mentors
- Online development through Zoom
- Summer laboratory program in Apgujeong, Seoul