The Korea Foundation

2024 KF Fellowship for Korean Language Training (KLT)

Since 1993, the Korea Foundation is offering 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 outside Korea. In accordance with the guidelines listed below, the Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2024 KLT program.

■ Program Outline

The KF Fellowship for Korean Language Training (KLT) provides an opportunity for students, Ph.D. candidates of Korean studies and Korean studies researchers to learn Korean in an intensive immersion program at a university in Korea for six months.

■ Number of Available Fellowship Awards

Approximately 30 per year

■ Eligible Applicants

Students and Ph.D. candidates who are majoring in Korean studies (humanities, social sciences, and arts & culture) and are currently involved in Korea-related research may apply for the KLT program. All those who apply must be able to understand and speak at least basic Korean.

1. M.A. Students/Ph.D. Candidates

Graduate students and Ph.D. candidates pursuing a major or minor in a Korea-related field with a detailed thesis/dissertation proposal on a Korea-related topic

2. Undergraduate Students

 ①  Undergraduate students whose major or minor is Korean Studies (or Korean Language & Literature) and who are at least in the third year of their respective courses.

 ②  Undergraduate students who are at least in the third year of their respective courses and have taken over eight Korean studies or Korean language classes at a university that does not offer any Korean studies or Korean language degrees.

Please note:

- Applicants must attach evidence that the university does not offer any Korean studies or Korean language degrees on (3) Grade Transcript of Coursework (e.g., a screenshot of offered degree courses on the respective schools’ websites).

- Applicants must submit detailed transcripts for all classes.

- If applicants’ schools offer Korea-related degrees, they are ineligible to apply even if they have previously taken more than eight Korea-related courses.

Please note that 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 that during the fellowship period, one may not register for a degree program at a Korean university.

- Individuals who have already received the KF Fellowship for Korean Language Training within the last 2 years (2022–2023).

■ Terms and Details of Program Support

1. Tuition and other fees for educational institution

2. Stipend to cover partial living expenses (paid on a monthly basis)

 ① Undergraduates, B.A. or M.A. degree holders: KRW 1,200,000

 ② Ph.D. candidates: KRW 1,400,000

3. Travel allowance (one-time benefit)

 ① Undergraduates, B.A. or M.A. degree holders: KRW 300,000

 ② Ph.D. candidates: KRW 500,000

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

Please note that airfare will not be provided.

■ Program Schedule

1. Application Period: July 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023 / 6:00 p.m. (Korean Standard Time)

2. Korean language proficiency verification interview: November 2023

Please note:

- Those who passed the document review stage will receive specific guidance via email.

- The purpose of this interview is not to evaluate applicants’ Korean language skills. It is to confirm whether the submitted Korean language proficiency certificates (e.g., TOPIK, KLPT, etc.) are consistent with applicants’ actual Korean proficiency.

3. Notification of Results: December 2023

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

4. Fellowship Period: 6 months

- Applicants may start their fellowship period in March or September 2024.

■ Required Documents

1. Online Application Form

 ① Applicant’s personal information

 ② Proposal (Within 400 words in English or 400 syllables in Korean, please explain your reasons and goal for undertaking Korean language training, the necessity for Korean language competency in your studies or current job, and your future plans.)

2. Copy of Applicant’s Highest Academic Degree

3. Evidence of Korean Language Proficiency

Submit at least one document which corresponds to the following certificates:

 ① Certificate proving Korean language proficiency, e.g., TOPIK or Korean Language Proficiency Test (KLPT)

Please note: Preference will be given to applicants with TOPIK Level 3 or 4 proficiency.

 ② University language program transcripts or other suitable documents

  ③   Official award that proves an applicant’s Korean proficiency, e.g., award from a Korean Speech Contest held by a Korean embassy

4. Two Letters of Reference

Please note: Each letter must come from a different referee.

 ① Head of affiliated institution, e.g., department head, thesis supervisor, etc.

 ② Korean language instructors (They must be authorized professors or lecturers specializing in Korean and be capable of evaluating the applicant’s level of Korean proficiency.)

5. Certificate of enrollment (Must have been issued after May 1, 2023)

6. Transcripts

Please note that Students who have not yet graduated must submit grades for the 2023 Spring semester as well.

 ① Undergraduate Students

Transcript of grades received for all undergraduate academic work

 ②  M.A./Ph.D. candidates

Transcript of grades received for all undergraduate and graduate academic work

▶ Important Reminders for submission

- 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.

- Only one PDF file may be uploaded per attachment category.

- Only scanned files (in PDF format) will be accepted, so please convert any jpg, png, or other image files to PDF files.

▶ Notes

- Those who are awarded the fellowship may be required to submit additional documents 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. No exceptions will be made.)

■ How to Apply

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

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

- Before applying, you must first register as member of the KF Online Application Portal (http://apply.kf.or.kr).

- The ‘Apply’ button is only activated during the application period from July 1 to August 31, 2023.

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

- 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 2024, 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 2024. 

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 information collected as part of your application will be used exclusively for the program, 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 2023 to those who passed the document review stage. 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 any further questions.

■ Contact

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

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

- Please note that we do not answer questions over the phone. Please carefully read the instructions before applying.

Date of Posting: July 1, 2023