How to Apply For AKS Graduate Fellowship 2025 (Step-by-Step)

Program period: 1 Sep 2025 to 28 Feb 2026 (6 months). Up to 5 fellows are selected.

Who should use this guide (quick check)

You’re a good fit if you are:

• A foreign national, or a Korean educated entirely outside Korea through university;
• Enrolled in a Master’s or Doctoral program overseas, or ABD in a Master’s program overseas;
• Your topic is Korean Studies; previous AKS Graduate Fellows cannot re-apply.

Key dates (KST)

Stage	Date & Time
Online application window	10:00 Mon 28 Apr 2025 → 17:00 Fri 9 May 2025
Results announced	17:00 Fri 20 Jun 2025
Fellowship period	1 Sep 2025 – 28 Feb 2026

Tip: Don’t wait for the last day. Application portals often get busy near deadlines.

How to Apply for AKS Fellowship

Step 0: Plan your 6 months (before you start the form)

• Define your question: What exact Korean-studies topic will you work on?
• Name the sources at AKS: Library collections, archives, or data you will use.
• Map your months: See the sample timeline below.
• Decide your outputs: For example one thesis chapter, a journal article draft or a conference paper.

Sample 6-month timeline (edit as needed)

• Month 1: Onboarding, improving your research and question first literature review.
• Month 2: Archive visits and data collection (list target collections).
• Month 3: Continue data collection, start coding or analysis.
• Month 4: Draft core sections (2,500–4,000 words).
• Month 5: Complete draft; advisor feedback; revise.
• Month 6: Finalize output; presentation to faculty/peers; submission plan.

Step 1: Gather documents (PDFs)

Prepare clean scans in English or Korean; add certified translations if needed.

• CV / Resume
• Proof of enrollment (Master’s/Doctoral) or Master’s ABD certificate
• Academic transcripts (current degree)
• Research proposal (2–4 pages: question, significance, methods, sources, timeline, expected output)
• Passport (valid through the entire stay)
• Language certificate(s) (if you have them; Korean preferred but not required)
• Any extra items requested in the call (respect file-naming/size rules in the portal).

Check the complete guide about AKS Fellowship Required Documents.

Quality tips

• Use short filenames: Surname_Proposal.pdf
• Keep PDFs readable (no shadows/blur); combine pages in order.

Step 2: Create your account & start the form (during the window)

• Go to the official online application portal and create an account.
• Fill personal info exactly as on your passport.
• Add your current university program and advisor details.
• Paste a concise research summary (you’ll also upload the full proposal).
• Save as draft; re-check later with fresh eyes.

Step 3: Upload documents & review

• Upload each PDF in the correct slot.
• If a document is not in English/Korean then attach a certified translation.
• Make sure ABD means Master ABD (Doctoral ABD is not allowed for this fellowship).
• Read your proposal again: does it clearly use AKS resources and fit a 6 month plan?

Step 4: Submit before the deadline

• Hit Submit well before 17:00 Fri 9 May 2025 (KST).
• Download or screenshot your submission confirmation for your records.

Step 5: After submission: what happens

• Screening: the school reviews eligibility, fit to Korean Studies, and feasibility.
• Result day: check your email/portal on Fri 20 Jun 2025 (KST).
• If selected: you’ll receive instructions for acceptance, visa, travel, and dorm. (Monthly stipend, airfare reimbursement cap, and free dorm details are confirmed in the 2025 call.)

What reviewers look for?

• Clear fit to Korean Studies and to AKS resources
• Realistic 6-month timeline with milestones and outputs
• Methodology that matches your question and sources
• Academic readiness (coursework, skills, prior work)
• Language preparedness (Korean helps; not mandatory)
• Clean, complete file (no missing items; correct ABD category).

Common mistakes that cause rejections

• Submitting Doctoral ABD instead of Master’s ABD (not eligible)
• Vague proposal (no sources at AKS, no monthly plan, no clear output)
• Late submissions (missing the portal deadline by minutes still counts as late)
• Untranslated documents (when not in English/Korean)

Go to official AKS Fellowship announcement page for more details.

FAQs