Since 1993, the Korea Foundation has offered an annual fellowship program for Korean language training(KLT) for the general promotion and dissemination of the Korean language, which is the basis of promoting Korean studies and Korea-related activities overseas. In accordance with the guidelines listed below, the Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2022 KLT program.

Program Outline

The KF Fellowship for Korean Language Training (KLT) program provides an opportunity for graduate students of Korean studies, Korean studies researchers and those working in Korea-related fields overseas to learn Korean in an intensive immersion program at a university in Korea for at least six months.

Number of Available Fellowship Awards

Approximately 40 per year 

Eligible Applicants

Those who are majoring in Korean studies (humanities, social sciences, and arts & culture), are currently involved in Korea-related research, or are working in a Korea-related field and correspond to one of the following profiles may apply for the KLT program. All those who apply must be able to understand and speak at least basic Korean.

※Persons corresponding to any of the following profiles will NOT be considered for the fellowship: 

 - Korean citizens 

 - Individuals already studying or conducting research in Korea 

 - Individuals planning to enroll in a degree program at a higher educational institution in Korea 

   (Please note: During the fellowship period, one may not register for a degree program at a Korean university.)

 - Individuals who have received the KF Fellowship for Korean Language Training within the last 2 years (2020-2021).

Terms and Details of Program Support

1. Tuition and fees for educational institution

2. Living expenses (paid on a monthly basis)

① Undergraduates, BA or MA degree holders or individuals with less than three years of related career experience: KRW 1,000,000

② PhD candidates and those with at least three years of related career experience: KRW 1,200,000

3. Travel allowance: KRW 300,000 (one-time benefit) 

4. Health insurance (accident and medical insurance provided by a Korean insurance company)

Please note: Airfare is not supported

Program Schedule

1. Application Period: July 1, 2021 / 12:00 p.m. to August 31, 2021 / 6:00 p.m. (Korean Standard Time)

2. Korean language proficiency verification interview: November 2021

Please note: Those who passed the document review will receive specific guidance via email. The purpose of this interview is to confirm whether the submitted Korean language proficiency certificates are consistent with applicants' actual Korean proficiency.

3. Notification of Results: December 2021

Please note: The notification date is subject to change without prior notice. Applicants will be notified individually via email.

4. Fellowship Period: 6 months (minimum) to 1 year (maximum)

- Applicants should participate in the fellowship program for at least 6 months.

- Applicants may start their fellowship period in March or September 2022.

- If fellowship recipients satisfy both conditions-(scores over 80 and a 90% attendance rate on average for 2 semesters)- their fellowship period may be extended for up to two three-month periods, adding up to a maximum total period of 12 months.

Required Documents

<Important Reminders for submission>

- One PDF file may be uploaded per attachment category.

- Only scanned files (in PDF format) are valid. (Please convert any jpg, png, or other image files into PDF files)

- The application form and all documents must be submitted in English or Korean. If documents are submitted in other languages, please submit both the original file and a notarized translation.

<Notes>

- Those who are selected as fellowship awardees may be required to submit additional documentation to the KF.

- After applicants submit their online application, the online application system will automatically send emails to the referees whose email addresses applicants have provided. Therefore, applicants should inform their referees about their request for a letter of recommendation before applying. (Both recommendations must be received during the application submission period in order for the application to be processed.)

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted via the KF Online Application Portal (http://apply.kf.or.kr).

Click on the ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of this program announcement and complete the online application form. 

<Important Reminders for the Online Application>

- You must first register as member of KF Online Application Portal (http://apply.kf.or.kr) before applying.

- The ‘Apply’ button is only activated during the application period from July 1 to August 31, 2021.

- Bibliographies or citations in any publications or dissertations included with the application must follow APA or MLA style.

- Click the ‘Temporary Save’ button whenever you make any changes to the application, particularly when attaching supplemental documents.  

Responsibilities

Fellowship recipients must progress to the next-higher language level for each term of study. After the fellowship period has ended, recipients must submit a final report of their results to the Foundation in accordance with a format provided by the KF.

Important Reminders for the Fellowship

1. In 2022, the institution at which fellowship recipients will take courses is a university in Korea selected by the KF. Recipients cannot choose another institution.

2. Recipients must begin their fellowship periods in March or September 2022. 

3. Recipients may not defer enrollment to the following year.

4. During the fellowship period, fellowship recipients may not receive support from another KF program or another institution.

5. During the fellowship period, recipients may not engage in any type of profit generating or remunerative activity.

6. All personal informations collected as part of your application will be used for the program ONLY and submitting the application will be regarded as your consent for the collection of your personal information.

7. The number of fellowship recipients is subject to change due to budgetary considerations.

8. An email with guidance regarding the interview will be sent in November 2021 for those who passed the document review. Those who fail to take the interview for any personal reasons, including not checking their email accounts, will not be selected.

9. Please refer to the attached FAQ for further inquiries.

Contact

Inquiries about the program: fellow@kf.or.kr

For questions regarding the online application portal, please contact: helpdesk@kf.or.kr

Please note: We do not answer questions via phone. Please read the instructions carefully before applying.

Date of Posting: July 1, 2021