2021 KF Fellowship for Korean Language Training
Since 1993, the Korea Foundation has offered 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 overseas. In accordance with the guidelines listed below, the Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2021 KLT program.
Program Outline
The KF Fellowship for Korean Language Training (KLT) program provides an opportunity for graduate students of Korean studies, Korean studies researchers and those working in Korea-related fields overseas to learn Korean in an intensive immersion program at a university in Korea for at least six months.
Number of Available Fellowship Awards
Approximately 40 per year
Eligible Applicants
Those who are majoring in Korean studies (humanities, social sciences, and arts & culture), are currently involved in Korea-related research, or are working in a Korea-related field and correspond to one of the following profiles may apply for the KLT program. All those who apply must be able to understand and speak at least basic Korean.
Type
Details
MA/PhD candidates
Graduate students pursuing a major or minor in a Korea-related field with a detailed thesis proposal on a Korea-related topic
University professors, university lecturers and researchers
Professors or lecturers who are currently teaching Korea-related or Korean language courses or researchers who are conducting Korea-related research at a university or research institute (non-profit, government-funded, university-affiliated, etc.).
Professionals
Professionals engaged in Korea-related activities (e.g. curators of a museum’s Korean gallery, Korean studies librarians at a university, journalists who mainly deal with current affairs in Korea)
Undergraduate students
① Undergraduate students whose major or minor is Korean studies (or Korean language) and who are at least in the 3rd year of their respective course
② Undergraduate students who are at least in the 3rd year of their respective courses and have taken over 8 classes regarding Korean studies (or Korean language) at a university that does not offer any Korean studies or Korean language degrees.
※ Applicants must submit the detailed transcripts for all classes.
Former Diplomat Fellows
Former fellows who have completed the KF Korean Language and Culture Program for Diplomats and wish to take more courses focused on language training (applicant pool determined separately)
Please note: 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: During the fellowship period, one may not register for a
degree program at a Korean university.)
- Individuals who have received the KF Fellowship for Korean Language Training within the last 2 years (2019-2020).
Terms and Details of Program Support
1. Living expenses (paid on a monthly basis)
① Undergraduates, BA or MA degree holders or individuals with less than three years of related career experience: KRW 1,000,000
② PhD candidates and those with at least three years of related career experience: KRW 1,200,000
2. Travel allowance: KRW 300,000 (one-time benefit)
3. Tuition and fees for learning institution
4. Health insurance (accident insurance and medical care insurance provided by a Korean insurance company)
Language Education Institute
Korean Language Education Center at Sogang University
Program Schedule
1. Application Period: July 1, 2020 12:00 p.m. to August 31, 2020 18:00 p.m. (Korean Standard Time)
2. Notification of Results: December 2020
Please note: The notification date is subject to change without prior notice. Applicants will be notified individually via e-mail.
3. Fellowship Period: 6 months (minimum) to 1 year (maximum)
- Applicants may start their fellowship period in March or September 2021.
- If fellowship recipients demonstrate outstanding results, their fellowship period may be extended for up to two three-month periods, adding up to a maximum total period of 12 months.
- Applicants should participate in the fellowship program for at least 6 months.
Required Documents
Type
By Type
Common
Undergraduate students
1. Certificate of Enrollment
(Must have been issued after May 1, 2020)
2. Transcripts
- Transcript of grades received for all undergraduate academic work
(Students who have not yet graduated must submit their grades for the spring 2020 semester as well.)
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 future plans.)
2. A copy of the applicant’s highest academic degree
3. Evidence of Korean language proficiency
(Submit at least one documents which corresponds to the below certificates)
- Certificate proving Korean language proficiency
e.g. TOPIK or KLPT (Korean Language Proficiency Test)
(Appplicants with TOPIK Level 3 proficiency preferred)
- University language program transcripts (only as a supplement), etc.
- Official award that could prove Korean proficiency
e.g. award from Korean Speech Contest held by a Korean embassy
4. Two letters of reference (Each letter must come from a different referee.)
- Head of affiliated institution
‧ Undergraduate and graduate students: department head, thesis supervisor, etc.
‧ Professors, lecturers or other professionals: head of applicant’s affiliated institution (e.g. the affiliated university’s dean or higher authority, director or higher authority of the affiliated division, etc.)
- Korean language instructors: must be authorized professors or lecturers specializing in Korean and be capable of evaluating the applicant’s level of Korean proficiency.
MA/PhD
candidates
1. Certificate of Enrollment
(Must have been issued after May 1, 2020)
2. Transcripts
- Transcript of grades received for all undergraduate and graduate academic work
(Students who have not yet graduated must submit grades for the spring 2020 semester as well.)
University professors, university lecturers and researchers
1. Certificate of employment
(Must have been issued after May 1, 2020)
2. Transcripts
- only the transcript of the applicant’s highest degree
Professionals
Former Diplomat Fellows
Important Reminders for submission (If you fail to submit any of the following, your application will be regarded as invalid.)
- One PDF file may be uploaded per attachment category.
- 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.)
- 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.
- Those who are selected as fellowship awardees may be requested by the KF to submit additional documentation.
- After applicants submit their online application, the online application system will automatically send e-mails to the referees whose e-mail 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)
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted via the KF Online Application Portal (http://apply.kf.or.kr).
Click on the ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of this program announcement and complete the online application form.
Important Reminders for the Online Application
- You must first register as member before applying.
- The ‘Apply’ button is only activated during the application period from July 1 to August 31, 2020.
- The application form must be completed in English or Korean. All supporting documents must be in English or Korean or be accompanied by verbatim translations.
- Bibliographies or citations in any publications or dissertations included with the application must follow APA or MLA style.
- Click the ‘Temporary Save’ button whenever you make any changes to the application, particularly when attaching supplemental documents.
- For supplementary documents, one PDF file may be uploaded per category.
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 2021, the institution at which fellowship recipients will take course is the Korean Language Education Center at Sogang University. Recipients cannot choose another institution.
2. Recipients must begin their fellowship periods in March or September 2021.
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 informations collected as part of your application will be used for the program ONLY 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.
Contact
Inquiries about the program: fellow@kf.or.kr
For questions regarding the online application portal, please contact: helpdesk@kf.or.kr
Please note: We do not answer questions via phone. Please read the instructions carefully before applying.
