2027 Korea Foundation Support Program for Establishing Professorships in Korean Studies and Korean Language

<div id="qKZ6hwZEeN5KmBDkuNjyC-content-0"> <p>The Korea Foundation (KF) has announced its <strong>2027 Support for Establishment of Professorship</strong> program, designed to strengthen Korean Studies and Korean Language education at universities around the world. This initiative provides substantial financial assistance to institutions seeking to create new professorships, ensuring long-term academic growth and global engagement with Korea-related scholarship.</p> </div> <div id="qKZ6hwZEeN5KmBDkuNjyC-content-2"> <p>Position (TTP)** The KF covers <strong>up to 70%</strong> of the total salary and employee benefits for a newly hired professor in Korean Studies or Korean Language.</p> <ul role="list"> <li><strong>Salary</strong>: Based on the university’s existing salary scale.</li> <li><strong>Employee benefits</strong>: Includes legally required non-wage payments such as social welfare contributions and fringe benefits.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>2. Endowed Chair Position</strong></h3> <p>The KF provides annual endowment funding during the grant period to establish a <strong>permanent professorship</strong>. The university must contribute a <strong>50% matching fund</strong>, dollar-for-dollar.</p> <div></div> <h2><strong>Grant Duration</strong></h2> <ul role="list"> <li><strong>Three to five years</strong></li> </ul> <div></div> <h2><strong>Eligible Applicants</strong></h2> <ul role="list"> <li>Universities outside Korea planning to establish new professorships in Korean Studies or Korean Language.</li> </ul> <div></div> <h2><strong>Prerequisites for KF Support</strong></h2> <p>Universities must demonstrate the ability to sustain the professorship after KF support ends, either through internal funding or a jointly created endowment. Additionally, the appointed professor must undergo fair and rigorous evaluation according to the university’s standard procedures for appointment, promotion, and tenure.</p> <div></div> <h2><strong>Program Timeline</strong></h2> <ol role="list" start="1"> <li><strong>Application Period</strong>: July 1, 2026 – September 11, 2026 <strong>Deadline: September 11, 2026 at 18:00 KST</strong></li> <li><strong>Notification of Results</strong>: December 2026</li> <li><strong>Grant Start</strong>: 2027–28 or 2028–29 academic year</li> </ol> <div></div> <h2><strong>Required Documents</strong></h2> <h3><strong>1. Online Application Form</strong></h3> <p>Must include detailed information on the university’s current Korean Studies status (faculty, courses, library holdings, academic activities).</p> <h3><strong>2. Supplementary Materials</strong></h3> <p>The following documents must be uploaded:</p> <ol role="list" start="1"> <li>Curriculum for B.A./M.A. programs in Korean Studies or Korean Language (if applicable)</li> <li>University’s salary scale for professors</li> <li>CV of the proposed professor (if a candidate is already identified)</li> <li>CV of the project director</li> <li>Letter from the Dean supporting the establishment of the professorship</li> </ol> <div></div> <h2><strong>Evaluation Criteria</strong></h2> <ol role="list" start="1"> <li><strong>Program Planning &amp; Commitment</strong> <ul role="list"> <li>Clarity and organization of the proposal</li> <li>Long-term plans for Korean Studies development</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Institutional Capacity</strong> <ul role="list"> <li>University reputation and prior achievements in Korean Studies</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Budget Soundness</strong> <ul role="list"> <li>Specificity and feasibility of the financial plan</li> <li>Matching fund efforts</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Expected Outcomes</strong> <ul role="list"> <li>Contribution to regional diversification of Korean Studies</li> <li>Practicality and impact of proposed goals</li> </ul> </li> </ol> <div></div> <h2><strong>Important Reminders</strong></h2> <ol role="list" start="1"> <li><strong>Cancellation of Support</strong> KF may cancel support if an agreement cannot be finalized with the university.</li> <li><strong>Eligibility Requirements for Appointed Professors</strong> <ul role="list"> <li>At least 50% of teaching and research must focus on Korea</li> <li>Research must use Korean-language primary sources</li> <li>Publications must be in English, and preferably also in Korean</li> <li>Korean language proficiency is required</li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Notification of Changes</strong> Universities must promptly inform KF of any project changes.</li> <li><strong>Revision Requests</strong> KF may request modifications or additions to the project plan.</li> <li><strong>Grant Disbursement</strong> Funds are released after the grant agreement is signed and a qualified professor is hired.</li> <li><strong>Annual Reporting</strong> Universities must submit yearly project reports with signed financial statements.</li> </ol> <div> <p>Apply <a href="http://apply.kf.or.kr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></p> <p>For more information about this opportunity visit <a href="https://apply.kf.or.kr/selectNoticeAndApplicationView.nkf?anucNo=A1G0000998&amp;pageIndex=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></p> <p>Discover more grant opportunities <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=grant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here </a></div> </div> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/07/10/2027-korea-foundation-support-program-for-establishing-professorships-in-korean-studies-and-korean-language/">2027 Korea Foundation Support Program for Establishing Professorships in Korean Studies and Korean Language</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>