ACADEMY OF KOREAN STUDIES (AKS)
AKS Graduate Fellowship for International Students
full · masters, phd
- ~KRW 750,000 / month (est.)Monthly stipend
- Up to KRW 2,060,000Round-trip economy airfare
- 6 monthsFellowship duration (Sept-Feb)
- Free accommodationOn-campus housing
- Master's / PhDEligible enrolment level
- South KoreaWhere you research
At a glance
full
Funding
€5k
Max amount
May 9, 2027
Deadline
Open to non-Korean citizens worldwide (and overseas Koreans educated outside Korea)
Country
Academy of Korean Studies (AKS)
Provider
The AKS Graduate Fellowship, offered by the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS), is a fully funded six-month, non-degree research fellowship in South Korea for international graduate students working on Korean Studies. It is a visiting-research programme rather than a degree, designed for students enrolled in (or who have completed coursework in) a master's or doctoral programme at a university outside Korea. Selected fellows receive a monthly stipend of KRW 750,000, free on-campus accommodation, round-trip economy airfare up to KRW 2,060,000 depending on departure city, access to the AKS libraries and the Jangseogak Archives, free Korean language classes and a dedicated academic advisor. The fellowship runs from September 2026 to February 2027. Fellows must reside in South Korea for the whole period, enrol in at least 1 academic course or independent study plan, and submit a final research report of at least 5,000 words in English plus a seminar presentation. Founded in 1978, the AKS is affiliated with the Korean Ministry of Education. Stipend amounts, airfare caps and exact dates are set each cycle, so confirm the current-cycle figures and deadline on the official AKS page before you apply.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend — A monthly stipend of KRW 750,000 (est.) for living expenses throughout the six-month fellowship.
- Accommodation — Free on-campus accommodation for the duration of the programme.
- Airfare — Round-trip economy-class airfare of up to KRW 2,060,000, depending on the fellow's departure city.
- Research resources — Access to the AKS libraries and the Jangseogak Archives, with guidance from a dedicated academic advisor.
- Language training — Free Korean language classes provided during the fellowship.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the official AKS online application portal, with supporting documents uploaded in English or Korean.
- Confirm eligibility — Check that you are a non-Korean citizen (or eligible overseas Korean), enrolled in a master's or doctoral programme abroad, with a Korean Studies research topic and no prior AKS Graduate Fellowship.
- Prepare your documents — Assemble a personal statement, a research proposal of about 3 pages, transcripts and certificates, a recommendation letter, a passport copy and an ID photo.
- Complete the online application — Register and complete the online application form on the AKS recruitment portal (gradaks.recruiter.co.kr).
- Submit before the deadline — Upload all documents and submit before the closing date (Korean Standard Time).
- Await results and prepare to travel — Check for the results announcement, and if selected, obtain your Certificate of Entry and Exit and arrange travel for the September start.
Eligibility
NationalityMust be a non-Korean citizen, or an overseas Korean who completed their education outside Korea.
EnrolmentCurrently enrolled in, or have completed coursework in, a master's or doctoral programme at a non-Korean university.
Research topicMust have a research topic related to Korean Studies.
LanguageProficiency in English or Korean is preferred but not mandatory.
Prior awardsMust not have previously received the AKS Graduate Fellowship.
All documents must be in English or Korean; documents in another language must be notarised and translated. A Certificate of Entry and Exit is required before departure, and fellows must reside in South Korea for the full programme.
Eligible countries
Open to non-Korean citizens worldwide (and overseas Koreans educated outside Korea)
Deadlines
2026/2027 cycle (September start)~9 May 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applicants are assessed on the relevance and quality of their Korean Studies research proposal, their academic record and enrolment status, the strength of the recommendation letter, and the feasibility of completing the research and final report within six months. Selected fellows are notified in the results announcement and must comply with the programme's residency, coursework and reporting requirements.
Verified sources
- Academy of Korean Studies - Internationalintl.aks.ac.krofficial
- AKS Graduate Fellowship application portalgradaks.recruiter.co.krofficial
About the provider
The Academy of Korean Studies (AKS), founded in 1978, is a research and education institution affiliated with the Korean Ministry of Education. It advances global Korean Studies through research, graduate education and international collaboration, and maintains major resources including the Jangseogak Archives.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the AKS Graduate Fellowship?
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Non-Korean citizens (or overseas Koreans educated outside Korea) enrolled in or having completed coursework in a master's or doctoral programme abroad, with a Korean Studies research topic and no prior AKS Graduate Fellowship.
Is this a degree programme?
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No. It is a non-degree, six-month visiting research fellowship in South Korea, not a degree-granting programme.
How long is the fellowship?
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6 months, running from around 1 September 2026 to 28 February 2027 (est.).
How much is the stipend?
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A monthly stipend of KRW 750,000 (est.). Confirm the exact current-cycle amount on the official AKS page.
Is accommodation provided?
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Yes. Fellows receive free on-campus accommodation for the duration of the programme.
Is airfare covered?
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Yes. Round-trip economy airfare of up to KRW 2,060,000 is covered, depending on your departure city.
What research areas are eligible?
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Topics within Korean Studies, including Korean history, culture, language, politics and literature.
Do I need to speak Korean?
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Proficiency in English or Korean is preferred but not mandatory, and free Korean language classes are provided.
What are the fellows' obligations?
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Reside in South Korea for the whole programme, enrol in at least one course or independent study, work with an advisor and submit a final research report of at least 5,000 words plus a seminar presentation.
How do I apply?
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Through the official AKS online application portal at gradaks.recruiter.co.kr, uploading a personal statement, research proposal, transcripts, recommendation letter, passport copy and ID photo.
Can I apply if I already held this fellowship?
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No. Applicants must not have previously received the AKS Graduate Fellowship.
What is the application deadline?
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Around 9 May 2026 (est.), at the end of the application period, with results announced about 20 June 2026. Confirm exact dates on the official AKS page.