SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Seoul National University President Fellowship (SPF)
full · phd
- ~$1,100–$1,450 / month (est.)Monthly stipend
- Up to 6 semestersTuition coverage
- Round-trip airfareTravel support
- All disciplines eligibleField coverage
- Developing-country staffTarget applicants
- Free Korean classesLanguage support
At a glance
full
Funding
€1k
Max amount
Aug 31, 2026
Deadline
All developing countries (as recognised by international development organisations)
Country
Seoul National University
Provider
The Seoul National University President Fellowship (SPF) is a fully funded PhD programme for teaching and instructional staff from developing countries who do not yet hold a doctorate. It enables academics to complete a PhD at Seoul National University, one of South Korea's top-ranked universities, and return to strengthen their home institutions. The fellowship covers full tuition for up to 6 semesters and pays a monthly stipend of between 1,500,000 and 2,000,000 Korean won (about USD 1,100 to 1,450, roughly 1,000 to 1,350 euros). It also provides round-trip economy airfare, National Health Insurance, childcare support where applicable, and free evening Korean-language classes, so no prior Korean is needed. Eligibility is restricted to currently employed university staff who hold at least a master's degree and are admitted to an SNU PhD programme for the relevant intake. Applicants must supply a certificate of employment and a commitment letter from their home university confirming their return. All academic disciplines offered at SNU are eligible. Because the stipend range, the application window, and the intake dates are set each cycle, confirm the exact current-cycle figures and the 2026/2027 deadline on the official Seoul National University scholarship page before you apply.
What's covered
- Tuition — Full tuition coverage for up to six semesters of PhD study at Seoul National University.
- Monthly stipend — A monthly stipend of ~₩1,500,000–₩2,000,000 (about ~$1,100–$1,450 (est.)) for living costs.
- Airfare — Round-trip economy-class airfare between the home country and South Korea.
- Health insurance — Enrolment in Korea's National Health Insurance for the duration of the fellowship.
- Additional support — Childcare support where applicable and free evening Korean-language classes after arrival.
How to apply
Applicants must be admitted to an SNU PhD programme and then apply for the SPF by emailing and posting the required documents.
- Apply for SNU PhD admission — Complete the SNU graduate school application through the official admissions portal and select the SPF checkbox.
- Gather your documents — Collect your employment certificate, transcripts and graduation certificates, and a recommendation letter from your Dean or University President.
- Email scanned documents — Send scanned PDF copies of all required documents to intlscholarship@snu.ac.kr by the document deadline.
- Post the original documents — Mail the original copies to the Office of International Affairs, Seoul National University, Bldg. 152, Gwanak-gu, Seoul.
- Await screening and interview — The SPF committee screens documents and shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview before the final decision.
Eligibility
EmploymentCurrently employed as teaching or instructional staff at a recognised university in a developing country.
Degree statusMust not already hold a PhD and must possess at least a master's degree.
AdmissionMust be admitted to a PhD programme at SNU for the relevant intake.
CommitmentMust submit a certificate of employment and a commitment letter from the home university confirming return after graduation.
Korean-language proficiency is not required; selected fellows receive free Korean classes after arrival. Admission to an SNU PhD programme is a precondition for the fellowship.
Eligible countries
All developing countries (as recognised by international development organisations)
Deadlines
Spring 2027 PhD intake~31 August 2026 (est.)
Selection
The SPF committee first screens submitted documents, then SNU graduate admission results are released; shortlisted candidates are notified for an interview, after which a final selection is announced. Selection weighs academic record, institutional commitment to the applicant's return, and the interview.
Verified sources
- Seoul National University Graduate Scholarships (official)en.snu.ac.krofficial
About the provider
Seoul National University (SNU) is one of South Korea's top-ranked universities, located in Seoul. Its Office of International Affairs runs the President Fellowship (SPF) to support PhD study by university teaching staff from developing countries who commit to returning home.
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 is eligible to apply for the SPF Fellowship?
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Teaching or instructional staff at recognised universities in developing countries who do not hold a PhD and have at least a master's degree are eligible.
Can I apply if I'm not currently teaching at a university?
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No. The SPF is exclusively for individuals currently employed as academic staff at a university in a developing country.
Is this fellowship available for master's programmes?
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No. The SPF is specifically for PhD programmes at Seoul National University.
Do I need Korean language skills to be eligible?
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No. Korean proficiency is not required; selected fellows receive free Korean-language classes after arrival.
Do I need to be admitted before applying for the SPF?
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Yes. You must apply for and be admitted to an SNU PhD programme for the relevant intake to be considered.
How much is the monthly stipend?
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The stipend ranges from ₩1,500,000 to ₩2,000,000 per month, approximately USD 1,100 to 1,450.
How long is tuition covered?
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Full tuition is covered for up to six semesters of PhD study.
Does the fellowship cover airfare and health insurance?
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Yes. It includes round-trip economy airfare and enrolment in Korea's National Health Insurance, plus childcare support where applicable.
Which fields can I study?
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All academic disciplines offered at Seoul National University are eligible under this fellowship.
What commitment do I have to make?
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You must provide a commitment letter from your home university confirming you will return to contribute to academic development after your PhD.
How do I submit my application?
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Apply for SNU PhD admission online, select the SPF checkbox, then email scanned documents to intlscholarship@snu.ac.kr and post the originals to the Office of International Affairs.
Where can I confirm the exact deadline and stipend?
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Confirm the current-cycle deadline, stipend range, and intake on the official Seoul National University scholarship page before applying.