Korea Foundation Scholarship

The KF Scholarship for Graduate Studies (GS) is designed to provide scholarship support to graduate students majoring in a Korea-related field or focusing on a Korea- related research topic at a university located outside of Korea.

Scholarship Period

1 year

-Applicants from Asia (excluding Japan), Eurasia, Middle and South America, Africa, Middle East, and others: from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025.

-Applicants from Oceania: from March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026.

M.A. students or Ph.D. candidates in the humanities, social sciences, arts & cultural studies, or any other relevant field with a Korea-related research topic who fulfill the following criteria:

- Have enrolled (or are about to enroll) as a full-time student at a university located outside of Korea*

*Please note that students who have enrolled (or are about to enroll) at graduate schools aimed at training professionals in specific fields, such as MBA schools, law schools, or interpretation and translation schools, are ineligible for this program.

- Have not previously obtained a Ph.D. degree

- Hold citizenship or permanent residency status in a country outside of Korea*

*Applicants who are Korean citizens must have already obtained permanent residency status in a country outside of Korea as of August 2024.

- Financial Assistance: Receive up to $1,200 (M.A.) or $2,000 (Ph.D.) to support tuition and living expenses, with amounts varying by region.

- Academic Recognition: Get recognized by the Korea Foundation, boosting your academic profile.

- Global Networking: Connect with fellow scholars and professionals in Korean studies, expanding your network worldwide.

Sign in to the portal as an individual member and submit online application form by clicking on the “Apply” button at the bottom of this announcement.

- If you are inactive for more than 30 minutes, you will be automatically logged out for safety reasons, so please use the "Temporary Save" button frequently.

- The application and all required documents should be submitted in either Korean or English. Any documents that are in another language must be accompanied by translations in either Korean or English attached to the original copy.

1. Online application (https://apply.kf.or.kr/)

2. Supplemental documents (to be uploaded together with the online application, except for reference letters, which are to be submitted directly by referees)

① Study/research proposal

- Complete the form available on the online application portal.

- Include all required information and a separate bibliography.

- If the application is for a renewal for a second or third scholarship period, applicants must submit a progress report describing their research progress and related activities during the previous scholarship period.

② Reference letters

- Three (3) letters of recommendation* (one from the applicant’s thesis/dissertation supervisor, one from a professor who is qualified to assess the applicant’s research proposal, and one from a professor or lecturer who is able to assess the applicant’s Korean language competency)

*If the application is for a renewal for a second or third scholarship period, only one (1) reference letter is required, and should be from the applicant’s thesis/dissertation supervisor.

③ Copy of academic transcripts

- Applicants enrolled in M.A. degree courses must submit academic transcripts for their undergraduate degree(s) and the previous year(s) of their M.A. degree (if in their second year or above).*

*For applicants applying for a renewal of the scholarship period, only academic transcripts for the previous year(s) of their M.A. degree are required.

- Applicants enrolled in Ph.D. degree courses must submit academic transcripts for their undergraduate and M.A. degrees, and the previous year(s) of their Ph.D. degree (if they are in their second year or above).*

*For applicants applying for a renewal of the scholarship period, only academic transcripts for the previous year(s) of their Ph.D. degree is required.

④ Curriculum vitae

- Information about applicants’ educational experience, including the title of applicants’ thesis/dissertation and the date(s) on which they obtained their degree(s), professional experience, scholarship and grant award history, research accomplishments, and publications.

⑤ Proof of nationality or permanent residency status

- Copy of picture ID indicating nationality, residency permit, or any other relevant details

*Please note that any "Unique Identifiable Information (UII)" in the copy, such as Passport No., Social Security No., shall be masked or covered according to the Personal Information Protection Act. Even if the application is submitted, applications containing UII may be rejected.