KF Scholarship 2023 | Korea Foundation Scholarship 2023

About KF Scholarship

The KF Scholarship 2023, also known as Korea Foundation Scholarship, for Graduate Studies (GS) program, aims to cultivate a fresh cohort of scholars in Korean studies.

The program achieves this by awarding scholarship aid to students pursuing an M.A. or Ph.D. in Korean studies.

No. of Available Scholarships

150 scholars from all over the world will be selected

Grant Period

1 year (starting from the 2023 fall semester)

Scholarship Amount

*Varies depending on the region

Click the link below to find out the scholarship grant amount for your region

KF Scholarship 2023 Grant Amount

How to apply for KF Scholarship 2023

Click on the “Apply” button at the bottom of the program’s official announcement page and complete the online application form.

The “Apply” button is only activated during the application period from March 15, 2023, to April 25, 2023 (18:00 KST).

–     The application form and all other required documentation must be submitted in Korean or English.

–     As system errors may occur at the end of the application period due to heavy web traffic, please submit your application as soon as possible.

   If you cannot submit your application by the due date, even if caused by a system error, the KF cannot guarantee that it will be accepted.

Application Schedule

? Application submission period for KF Scholarship 2023: March 15 to April 25, 2023 (18:00KST)

   – Please be aware that the deadline for reference submissions is 18:00 KST on April 28, 2023.

     After that, letters of reference can no longer be submitted.  

? Notification of acceptance: By the end of June, 2023

   – Please note that the notification date is subject to change without prior notice.

Eligibility

Below is the eligibility criteria for the Korea Foundation Scholarship 2023:

? M.A. or Ph.D. students currently enrolled in graduate programs at a university located outside Korea (as of September 2023) and focusing on a Korea-related topic in the humanities, social sciences, arts, or cultural studies, and who do not already hold a doctorate.

* Excluded programs: natural sciences, medicine, engineering, MBA, law school, translation and interpretation. 

? Hold citizenship or permanent residency status in a country outside Korea

*  Applicants must already have obtained permanent residency status as of March 2023.

Required Documents

1. Online application for KF Scholarship 2023 (https://apply.kf.or.kr/)

2. Supplemental materials (uploaded together with the online application):

•  Research proposal (must not exceed 3 pages)

          –  Download and fill out the Foundation’s research proposal form (attached) and then upload the completed form to the Online Application

             Portal. Please attach a separate bibliography.

          –  Applicants who are applying for a second or third scholarship period should describe the progress made during the previous scholarship

             period, and include a thesis abstract.

• Academic transcript

• Master’s level: Academic transcript of undergraduate degree.

         – Applicants who are applying for a second scholarship period are only required to submit the academic transcripts of the previous

           scholarship period.

• Doctoral level: Academic transcripts of master’s degree and undergraduate degree.

         –   Applicants who are applying for a second or third scholarship period are only required to submit their doctoral transcripts.

• Curriculum vitae

• Information about educational experience (including the title of scholarship recipients’ thesis), professional experience,

     previously awarded scholarships and grants, and a list of research accomplishments and publications.

• Three (3) letters of reference

• Dissertation/Thesis supervisor: 1 reference

• A professor who is qualified to assess your research proposal: 1 reference 

• An individual who is able to verify your Korean language competency: 1 reference

     * Applicants should contact their referees before completing the application process. The KF Online Application Portal will automatically

       send an email to the referees provided in the application. The email will request that the referees write a letter of reference, and upload it

       onto the KF Online Application Portal.

    * Please be aware that the deadline for reference submissions is Friday, April 28, 2023 (18:00 KST).

    * Applicants who are applying for a second or third scholarship period are only required to submit one reference from their

      dissertation/thesis supervisor.

• Proof of nationality(citizenship) or permanent residency

• Passport, picture ID indicating nationality, residency permit, etc.

Important Notes about KF Scholarship 2023

• M.A. students can receive funding for up to two years through the GS program, while Ph.D. students can receive funding for up to three years.

• Applicants must reside in the country where the university they are registered at is located.

• Scholarship recipients cannot hold concurrent scholarships from the Foundation or any other Korean third-party institution.

• Enrollment cannot be deferred to the following year.

• Scholarship recipients must enroll in the program they applied for in the semester specified in the application. If recipients leave the university during the scholarship period, they must immediately return the scholarship grant to the Foundation.

• Scholarships are awarded in two installments. The first installment of 80% of the total grant is disbursed when all required documents are submitted, and enrollment at the university is confirmed. The remaining 20% of the total grant is disbursed when the final report is appropriately submitted and reviewed by the KF.

• The university’s scholarship administrator will be informed of the final selection results through the email address specified in the application form.

• All personal information provided in the application form will only be used for the program’s purposes. By submitting your application, you consent to the collection of your personal information by the KF.

Responsibilities of Scholarship Recipients

1. Submission of a report:

Scholarship recipients are required to submit a report within one month of the end of the scholarship period, detailing the progress made during this period. The report must be drafted and submitted using the KF’s report form.

2. Further reporting requirements:

Scholarship recipients, upon obtaining their degree, are required to submit a copy of their MA thesis or PhD dissertation to the Foundation.

• The Korea Foundation will monitor research progress annually for three years following the conclusion of the fellowship period. recipients who do not fulfill their responsibilities will not be eligible for future support from the Korea Foundation.

Further Inquiries about Korea Foundation Scholarship 2023

• Contact information: [email protected]

• Questions regarding the KF Online Application Portal: [email protected]

You can find out more about the Korea Foundation Scholarship from the official website of the Korea Foundation. Here is the link:

Korea Foundation Scholarship Official Notice

If you are looking for more scholarships to study in South Korea for free, don’t forget to visit the following links:

GKS Scholarship 2023

Dream Together Scholarship 2023

AMA Arts Scholarship 2023