Support for Employment of Teaching Staff Program

The Korea Foundation is a public diplomacy organization established by the government of the Republic of Korea to promote mutual understanding and strengthen ties between Korea and the international community. Through a wide range of academic, cultural, and policy-oriented initiatives, the foundation supports institutions and individuals abroad in advancing Korean studies and Korean language education. This program is specifically designed to enhance the global presence and academic rigor of Korean studies by supporting universities outside Korea in building or expanding their instructional capacity. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide financial support to overseas universities that seek to hire new teaching staff dedicated to Korean language or Korean studies programs. The program aims to strengthen institutional capacity, foster long-term academic engagement with Korean studies, and promote sustainable development of Korean-focused curricula and research. Eligible institutions include universities that either currently operate or plan to establish educational and research programs related to Korean language or Korean studies. Funding under this program is structured as partial support toward the salary and employee benefits of newly hired teaching staff. The funding aligns with the recipient university’s existing salary scale, ensuring consistency with institutional standards. However, the grant strictly limits allowable expenses. It does not cover housing costs, administrative expenses, recruitment costs, or compensation for assistants or secretaries. Additionally, funding cannot be applied to existing faculty members, and only newly hired positions are eligible for support. The grant period ranges from one to three years. A key condition of the program is sustainability: recipient universities are required to maintain the teaching position for at least the same duration as the grant period after funding concludes. This requirement ensures that the program contributes to long-term institutional development rather than short-term staffing solutions. Applications must be submitted through the Korea Foundation Online Application System. Required components include an online application form and supplementary documents such as program curricula, curriculum vitae of the project director, and, if available, the CV of the prospective teaching staff member. Institutions must also provide documentation of their salary scale. All materials must be submitted in either Korean or English, and applicants are instructed to complete the process through the designated online portal. The evaluation process is based on several criteria, including the clarity and organization of the proposed plan, the institution’s commitment to developing Korean studies, and the feasibility of achieving stated goals. Reviewers also assess the applicant’s institutional capacity, prior experience, and the strength of the budget plan, including any matching fund efforts. Additional consideration is given to how the project contributes to the regional diversification of Korean studies and the overall impact of the program. The application period opens on July 1, 2026, and closes on September 11, 2026. Results are expected to be announced in December 2026, with funded projects beginning in the 2027 to 2028 or 2028 to 2029 academic year. During the grant period, recipients must submit annual reports accompanied by financial statements. The Korea Foundation reserves the right to request revisions to project plans, cancel funding decisions if agreements are not finalized, and require notification of any significant project changes. For inquiries, applicants may contact the program team via email or reach technical support for assistance with the application system.

Ensure a well structured plan with clear long term commitment to Korean studies, provide strong institutional background and detailed budget justification aligned with evaluation criteria