AKS Graduate Fellowship 2026 in South Korea (Fully Funded)

The Academy of Korean Studies has officially opened applications for the AKS Graduate Fellowship 2026, a fully funded research program in South Korea designed for international graduate students specializing in Korean studies. The fellowship provides selected researchers with financial support, accommodation, airfare assistance, and direct academic mentorship while conducting research in Korea.

The six-month fellowship aims to help graduate students strengthen their thesis or dissertation research through direct access to Korean archives, academic resources, and field-based learning opportunities.

Fellowship Overview

• Host Country: South Korea
• Host Institution: Academy of Korean Studies
• Program Type: Fully Funded Research Fellowship
• Fellowship Duration: 6 Months
• Fellowship Period: September 2026 – February 2027
• Degree Level: Master’s and PhD
• Number of Fellowships: 5
• Application Deadline: 8 May 2026 (17:00 Korean Standard Time)

Selected fellows will receive the following benefits:

• Monthly stipend of 750,000 KRW
• Round-trip economy airfare support
• Free on-campus accommodation
• Free Korean language training
• Access to research archives and academic libraries
• One-on-one mentorship from an AKS professor
• Academic networking opportunities in Korea

The fellowship is designed to allow students to focus fully on their research without major financial burdens.

The AKS Graduate Fellowship 2026 is open to:

• Master’s students
• Doctoral students

Applicants must currently be enrolled in graduate programs at overseas universities.

The fellowship supports research related to Korean studies, including fields such as:

• Korean History
• Korean Politics
• Sociology
• Korean Language and Linguistics
• Cultural Studies
• Literature
• International Relations
• Anthropology
• East Asian Studies

Applicants must propose research topics directly connected to Korean studies.

The fellowship is open to:

• International students from all countries
• Korean nationals who completed their education entirely outside Korea

To apply for the AKS Graduate Fellowship 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at an overseas university
• Research topic must relate directly to Korean studies
• Master’s applicants should have completed coursework requirements
• Doctoral applicants must still be actively engaged in coursework or dissertation research
• Applicants must select an academic supervisor from the Graduate School of Korean Studies
• Applicants should demonstrate strong academic and research potential

Korean language proficiency is beneficial but not mandatory.

Required Documents

Applicants generally need to prepare the following documents:

• Completed online application form
• Personal statement
• Research proposal or study plan
• Academic transcripts
• Proof of current enrollment
• Recommendation letter from academic supervisor
• Language proficiency scores (optional but recommended)

Incomplete applications may be disqualified.

Selection Process

The AKS Graduate Fellowship is highly competitive, with only five fellows selected globally for the 2026 intake.

Selection is based on:

• Quality and clarity of the research proposal
• Relevance to Korean studies
• Academic background and research potential
• Compatibility with the selected AKS faculty supervisor

Choosing a supervisor whose expertise closely matches the research topic is considered essential.

Application Process

Students interested in applying for the AKS Graduate Fellowship 2026 should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official AKS application portal.
2. Complete the online application form.
3. Prepare all required academic and research documents.
4. Select an appropriate academic supervisor from the Graduate School of Korean Studies.
5. Upload all required materials before the deadline.
6. Ensure recommendation letters are submitted properly.

Applications submitted after 8 May 2026 (17:00 KST) will not be considered.

Why Apply for the AKS Graduate Fellowship?

The Academy of Korean Studies is one of the leading institutions dedicated to Korean studies research and education. The fellowship offers international researchers a rare opportunity to conduct academic work directly within Korea while gaining access to specialized archives, faculty mentorship, and language training.

For graduate students needing primary research access, fieldwork opportunities, and academic immersion in Korean studies, the AKS Graduate Fellowship provides a focused and highly valuable experience.