AKS Graduate Fellowship 2025 (Apply Now)

The AKS Graduate Fellowship Program is a Non-degree research fellowship (6 months) at the Graduate School of Korean Studies (GSKS), Academy of Korean Studies (AKS). The Fellowship Period starts from 1 September 2025 to 28 February 2026.

AKS Fellowship 2025

• Who it’s for: International Master’s or Doctoral students in Korean Studies; Master’s ABD also eligible
• Duration: 6 months (full time, in Korea)
• Seats: Up to 5 fellows
• Funding: Monthly stipend, free dormitory, round-trip airfare (cap applies)
• Extras: Library/archives access, research guidance by GSKS faculty, free Korean language classes
• Re-applying: Past AKS Graduate Fellows cannot apply again

What Is the AKS Graduate Fellowship?

The AKS Graduate Fellowship brings selected international graduate students to Korea for six months of focused research in Korean Studies. Fellows are hosted at GSKS (AKS), get access to top libraries and archives, receive faculty guidance, and join a research community. It’s non-degree: you remain enrolled at your home university while conducting research at AKS.

Eligibility (Simple Checklist)

You should meet all of these:

1. Nationality/Education Route

• You are a foreign national, or you are Korean but educated entirely outside Korea (from primary school through university).

2. Academic Status (pick one)

• Enrolled in a Master’s program at an overseas university, or
• Enrolled in a Doctoral program at an overseas university, or
• ABD in a Master’s program at an overseas university Note: ABD in a doctoral program is not eligible for this fellowship.

3. Field/Topic

• Your topic is Korean-studies related (history, literature, linguistics, anthropology, sociology, religion, philosophy, politics, culture, etc.).
• Korean language skills are preferred (not strictly required).

4. Repeat Rule

• If you have already been an AKS Graduate Fellow, you cannot apply again.

Quick Yes/No Checker

Question	Yes	No
Are you foreign (or Korean educated entirely abroad)?	✅	❌
Are you enrolled in Master’s/Doctoral overseas, or Master’s ABD?	✅	❌
Is your research clearly Korean-studies related?	✅	❌
Have you never been an AKS Graduate Fellow before?	✅	❌
Can you commit to 1 Sep 2025 – 28 Feb 2026 in Korea?	✅	❌

If all are Yes, you’re a fit.

Benefits & Funding (What You Get)

• Monthly stipend (paid during the six-month period)
• Round-trip economy airfare (reimbursed up to the official cap; keep receipts)
• Free on-campus dormitory housing
• Research support: supervision by a GSKS professor, use of the AKS library and Jangseogak Archives
• Korean language classes (free)
• Academic environment: seminars, colloquia, and networking in the Korean-studies community

Tip: Airfare reimbursement is capped. Book early and keep all documents to claim reimbursement smoothly.

Key Dates

Stage	Date & Time
Online application window	10:00, 28 April 2025 → 17:00, 9 May 2025
Result announcement	17:00, 20 June 2025
Program period	1 Sep 2025 – 28 Feb 2026

Missed this round? Use this page to prepare early for the next call (timelines are usually similar year to year).

Required Documents (Upload as PDFs)

• Online Application (form on the official portal)
• CV / Resume (education, research, publications if any)
• Proof of Enrollment (Master’s/Doctoral) or Master’s ABD certificate
• Research Proposal (what you’ll do at AKS; goals, methods, sources, timeline)
• Academic Transcripts (latest, from current degree)
• Passport (valid through the fellowship period)
• Language Certificates (Korean/English, if available; helpful but not required)
• Any extra items requested in the call (follow file-naming rules)

Quality Tips

• Keep filenames short and consistent: Surname_DocumentType.pdf.
• Use English or Korean documents; if another language, add a certified translation.
• Make your proposal specific to AKS resources (archives, collections, faculty fit).

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

1. Read the call & plan
   • Confirm that your topic and timeline fit the 6-month period.
   • List the AKS resources (library, archives, collections) you’ll use.
2. Draft a 6-Month Research Plan
   • Show month-by-month steps: literature review, archive visits, field interviews, writing.
   • Add expected outputs: chapter draft, article draft, conference paper, or dataset.
3. Prepare Documents
   • Gather proof of enrollment or Master’s ABD certificate, transcripts, passport, CV.
   • Write a clear proposal (2–4 pages): question, significance, methods, sources, timeline.
4. Complete the Online Application
   • Fill all fields carefully (names as in passport).
   • Upload PDFs in the requested format and size.
5. Submit Before the Deadline
   • Do not wait for the final hour (portal traffic can spike).
   • Save a copy of your submission confirmation.
6. After Submission
   • Watch email for result day and any requests for clarification.
   • If selected, follow the onboarding steps for visa, travel, dorm, and registration.

Selection Criteria (What Reviewers Want to See)

• Fit to Korean Studies and AKS resources
• Feasible 6-month plan with realistic milestones
• Clarity and originality of your research question
• Academic readiness (your coursework, methods, prior work)
• Potential contribution to the field (and to your thesis/dissertation)
• Language readiness (Korean skills help but are not mandatory)

Make It Strong

• Name specific collections/archives at AKS you’ll consult.
• Show how the six months will produce a specific output (chapter, article, paper).
• Keep your plan practical (library hours, travel time, archive rules).

Life at AKS (What to Expect)

• Dormitory on campus (free), quiet and study-friendly.
• Faculty guidance: regular meetings with your assigned professor.
• Libraries & archives: extensive Korean studies materials.
• Language classes: free Korean lessons (helpful for research and daily life).
• Location: Seongnam/Bundang—easy access to Seoul for interviews and additional archives.

Common Mistakes (Avoid These)

• Wrong ABD: Submitting Doctoral ABD instead of Master’s ABD (not eligible).
• Vague proposal: No AKS resource plan, no timeline, no concrete outputs.
• Late submission: Missing the portal window by a few minutes = ineligible.
• File problems: Wrong file type, unreadable scans, or non-translated documents.
• Re-apply rule: Trying again after already being an AKS Graduate Fellow.

Visit the official website for official announcement

FAQs