The AKS Graduate Fellowship 2026 supports international and overseas Korean Master’s and PhD students with ₩750,000 monthly, return airfare and free dormitory accommodation in South Korea.
The Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) Graduate Fellowship 2026 is a six-month non-degree research support programme in South Korea for international and overseas Korean graduate students conducting research related to Korean Studies.
The programme provides a monthly research grant of ₩750,000, return airfare and free accommodation in the AKS dormitory. The 2026 fellowship period runs from 1 September 2026 to 28 February 2027.
Application status: The application deadline listed for the 2026 intake was 8 May 2026. This intake is therefore closed. The information below is provided as a reference for applicants watching for future AKS fellowship calls.
Fellowship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Institution | Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) |
| Programme | AKS Graduate Fellowship / Next Generation Korean Studies Scholars |
| Location | South Korea |
| Programme type | Non-degree research programme |
| Duration | 6 months |
| 2026 fellowship period | 1 September 2026 – 28 February 2027 |
| Monthly research grant | ₩750,000 |
| Travel support | Round-trip airfare |
| Accommodation | Free AKS dormitory accommodation |
| Maximum awardees | 5 |
| Eligible applicants | Foreign nationals and overseas Koreans |
| Study level | Master’s and PhD |
| Research field | Korean Studies |
| Language | Korean proficiency given preference |
| 2026 application deadline | 8 May 2026 |
What Is the AKS Graduate Fellowship?
The AKS Graduate Fellowship is a non-degree programme that invites international and overseas Korean students from overseas educational institutions to conduct Korean Studies-related research at the Academy of Korean Studies.
The 2026 programme provides research and educational support for six months, allowing selected scholars to undertake their research in South Korea.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows receive several forms of financial and practical support.
Monthly Research Grant
Recipients receive:
₩750,000 per month
Round-Trip Airfare
The programme provides round-trip airfare.
Free Accommodation
Fellows receive free accommodation in the research institute’s dormitory.
Fellowship Duration
The support period lasts six months, from:
1 September 2026 to 28 February 2027
Who Can Apply?
The 2026 call states that applicants must meet all of the following conditions as of 1 September 2026, the start date of the research support.
Applicants must be:
- Foreign nationals or overseas Koreans.
- Currently enrolled in or have completed a Master’s programme, or currently enrolled in a PhD programme before completion.
- Conducting research on a topic related to Korean Studies.
The programme gives preference to applicants with strong Korean-language proficiency.
Previous recipients of the fellowship are not eligible to apply.
What Is Considered an Overseas Korean?
The supplied AKS announcement specifies that an overseas Korean applicant is someone who has completed all education corresponding to elementary, middle and high school and university education outside Korea.
Number of Fellowships
The maximum number of successful applicants for the 2026 programme is:
5 fellows
This makes the programme a highly limited opportunity, with only five places available for the intake described in the source.
Fellowship Schedule
The 2026 research support period is:
1 September 2026 – 28 February 2027
Applicants for this intake were required to submit their applications between:
27 April 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and 8 May 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Korea Standard Time.
The final successful candidates were scheduled to be announced on:
26 June 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Korea Standard Time.
The announcement notes that the schedule could be changed depending on circumstances.
Application Process
Applications for the 2026 intake were submitted online through the designated recruitment system.
Visit the official Academy of Korean Studies website
The fellowship announcement also provided a dedicated online application portal for the intake.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the 2026 AKS Graduate Fellowship was:
8 May 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Korea Standard Time
Since the deadline has passed, applicants interested in this opportunity should watch for a future AKS Graduate Fellowship announcement.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The AKS Graduate Fellowship is particularly relevant to Master’s students and PhD researchers working in Korean Studies at institutions outside Korea.
The combination of a ₩750,000 monthly research grant, return airfare and free accommodation makes the fellowship attractive for eligible international researchers, although the 2026 call offered only five places.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AKS Graduate Fellowship?
It is a six-month, non-degree research support programme for international and overseas Korean graduate students conducting research related to Korean Studies.
How much is the AKS Graduate Fellowship stipend?
Selected fellows receive ₩750,000 per month.
Does the fellowship cover airfare?
Yes. The 2026 programme provides round-trip airfare.
Is accommodation provided?
Yes. Fellows receive free accommodation in the AKS dormitory.
How long does the fellowship last?
The fellowship lasts six months.
Who is eligible?
Foreign nationals and overseas Koreans studying at the Master’s or PhD level may qualify, provided their research is related to Korean Studies and they meet the other requirements.
Can previous AKS fellowship recipients apply again?
No. The supplied announcement states that previous recipients are not eligible.
Does Korean-language ability matter?
Yes. Strong Korean-language proficiency is preferred, according to the announcement.
How many applicants are selected?
The maximum number of fellows for the 2026 call was five.
When was the 2026 application deadline?
The deadline was 8 May 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Korea Standard Time.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed is sharing this fellowship for informational and educational purposes. We are not affiliated with the Academy of Korean Studies and do not select or recruit fellowship recipients.
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