The Korea Foundation

Since 1992 the Korea Foundation has offered an annual fellowship program for field research on Korea related research.

In accordance with the guidelines listed below, the Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2021 Field Research Fellowship program.

Program Outline

For the purpose of promoting overseas research in Korean studies, the Korea Foundation offers program support for the Fellowship for Field Research to provide eminent overseas Korean studies scholars and experts in relevant fields with the opportunity to conduct onsite field research in Korea and access relevant resource materials.

Number of Selected Fellows

Approximately 30 per year

Eligible Applicants

Overseas researchers who are conducting comparative or case studies in the field of Korean studies or in Korea-related areas in the fields of humanities or social sciences, or are focusing on research topics that are closely related to Korea and recognized as important new areas of study, and fall under one of the following criteria: Type A or B.

Details of Program Support

Program Schedule

1. Application Period: July 1, 2020 (Wednesday) 12:00 p.m. – August 31, 2020 (Monday) 18:00 p.m. (Korea Standard Time)

Please note: As obtaining reference letters takes time and system errors may occur at the end of the application period due to traffic overload, please submit your application as soon as possible.

2. Notification of Results: December 2020

3. Fellowship Period: The field research should take place between January 1 and December 31, 2021.

Duration: 1 month (minimum) to 12 months (maximum)

Please note: The start date of the fellowship period should be no later than November 30, 2021.

Required Documents

Obligations of Fellows

Please note: The Korea Foundation will monitor fellows’ research progress by requesting annual updates on their academic achievements for three years following the conclusion of the fellowship period. Fellows who do not fulfill their responsibilities may not be eligible for future support from the Korea Foundation.

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted via the KF Online Application Portal

(http://apply.kf.or.kr)

Important Reminders on Fellowship

1. Applicants must be able to conduct their research in Korean or English.

2. For Korean nationals, only those who have acquired citizenship or permanent residency status in a foreign country are eligible to apply.

3. One PDF file may be uploaded per attachment category.

4. Only scanned files (in PDF format) are valid. Image files will not be counted toward the application. (Please do not upload pictures taken with your mobile phone.)

5. 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 verbatim translation.

6. Individuals under the following circumstances are NOT eligible for consideration:

① Those who currently study or conduct research in Korea

② Those who seek to improve their Korean language ability or to become a regular student at a university in Korea

③ Those who received KF Field Research Fellowship or research grants for field research from other Korean public institutions within the past three years

7. The fellowship period approved by the KF’s review committee may differ from applicants’ proposed schedule.

8. Accommodations and research facilities should be arranged by the fellows in cooperation with their affiliated research institute.

(Please note: The KF does not provide any accommodation.)

9. Applicants must have an affiliate scholar/institution in Korea.

(Please note: The KF does not provide any recommendation or information regarding Korean scholars.)

10. Fellows may not receive concurrent support from other organizations in Korea during the fellowship period. Should it become known that a fellow is receiving concurrent support; the Korea Foundation’s support will be cancelled immediately.

11. Letters of reference: The link where one can download the reference form and upload the completed form will be sent to referees when the applicant presses the sending button.

Please note: Letters of reference can be submitted via fellowship email within a week, even after the deadline for applications has passed.

12. All personal information contained in the application form will only be used for the program’s purposes. By submitting your application you agree to the collection of your personal information by the KF.

13. The notification date of the results is subject to change without prior notice.

Further Inquiries

KF Help Desk

E-mail: helpdesk@kf.or.kr

For questions regarding the online application system or any system errors, please select ‘Help Desk’ from the top menu on the KF Online Application Portal or contact helpdesk@kf.or.kr.

Program Inquiries: fellow@kf.or.kr

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

Posted on July 1, 2020