The Korea Foundation

The Korea Foundation provides financial support to universities abroad seeking to hire new teaching staff with the goal of creating or expanding their Korean language or Korean studies program.

Universities abroad which currently operate or plan to launch an educational and research program in Korean language or Korean studies.

Korean studies and Korean language

The KF provides partial funding for the salary and employee benefits of a new teaching staff member in accordance with the recipient university’s existing salary scale.

• - Housing expenses, salaries/compensation for assistants or secretaries, recruitment expenses, administrative expenses, and other indirect or overhead expenses are not covered by this grant.
• - This program does not support expenses for existing faculty members.

One to three years

- Following the conclusion of the KF’s support, recipient universities must maintain the teaching staff position for at least the duration of the KF grant period.

1. Application Period: July 1 to September 11, 2026

(Deadline: September 11, 18:00 KST)

2. Notification of Results: December 2026

3. The grant period starts in the 2027-28 or 2028-29 academic year.

1. Online application

2. Supplementary materials (to be uploaded with the online application)

• ① Curriculum for Korean language/Korean studies program (Only applicable if the university offers degree programs in Korean Studies or Korean Language)
• ② Curriculum vitae of the project director
• ③ Curriculum vitae of the teaching staff member to be hired (only if the university has a specific candidate under consideration at the time of application)
• ④ The university’s salary scale

All required documents must be submitted in Korean or English via the KF Online Application System (http://apply.kf.or.kr).

※ Click on the “Apply” button at the bottom of this program announcement and complete the online application form.

1. Is the plan well-organized enough to achieve its stated objective? Is the applicant institution committed to fostering the development of the Korean studies or Korean language program? Does the applicant institution have a long-term plan for enhancing education/research on Korean studies or Korean language at the university?

2. Considering the applicant institution's reputation and its prior accomplishments/experience in the field of Korean studies, how adequate is the applicant institution’s ability to implement the program?

3. How sound and specifically-written is the budget plan? Is there a matching fund effort for the program?

4. How feasible are the expected outcomes/goals, and to what extent will the program contribute to the regional diversification of Korean studies?

1. Cancellation of Support:The KF can cancel its decision of support if the KF and the support recipient university cannot conclude an agreement.

2. Notification of Changes to the Project: After an application has been submitted, applicant universities must notify the KF of any changes to the project plan, including postponement and/or cancellation.

3. Revision of the Project Plan: When deemed necessary, the KF may request an applicant university to revise or supplement its project plan.

4. Disbursement of the Grant: Before grant funds are made available to recipient universities, the KF and each recipient university will enter into a grant agreement, the details of which (including regarding the project and budget) will be determined through mutual discussion.

5. Submission of Report: Recipient universities are required to submit an annual project report to the KF during the term of the agreement. The report must be accompanied by a financial statement drafted and signed by the recipient university’s accounting officer. The KF’s report format will be provided.

• Regarding the Program: studies@kf.or.kr

• Regarding the KF Online Application System: tech-support@kf.or.kr