SNU President Fellowship Program (SPF)

Overview

The SNU President Fellowship Program (SPF) is a fully-funded PhD scholarship from Seoul National University, Korea's top-ranked research university. It targets a specific group: people who already teach at a university in a developing country, hold a master's degree or higher, but do not yet have a doctorate. The idea is to bring promising academics to SNU, let them earn a PhD with full support, and send them home to strengthen higher education in their own country.

Because the SPF is aimed at faculty rather than the general applicant pool, it is selective and small. SNU admits roughly eight fellows per semester. If you are a junior lecturer or instructor abroad who wants a doctorate but cannot afford to fund one yourself, this is one of the few schemes designed precisely for your situation.

What makes the SPF stand out is the combination of full tuition, a real living stipend, round-trip airfare, and Korean language classes, all packaged into a single award tied to your PhD admission. You apply once, for both admission and the fellowship, through the SNU Office of Admissions.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

You must hold a master's degree or higher and be newly admitted as a PhD student at SNU. You cannot already hold a doctorate. Your academic record and research plan need to be strong enough to win a regular SNU PhD admission, since the fellowship rides on top of that admission.

Professional Requirements

This is the defining condition. You must be teaching or instructional staff at a major university in a developing country. The SPF is built for faculty development, so applicants without a current university teaching role are not the target group.

Nationality Requirements

You should be a citizen of a developing country. The record does not list a fixed country list, and the official call confirms eligibility based on your institution and nationality, so check the current notice for your country's status.

Language Requirements

Most SPF-relevant PhD programs at SNU are taught in English or Korean depending on the department. You will need to meet your program's language proficiency standard, and the fellowship adds free Korean evening classes so you can function in daily life.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Full tuition exemption for up to 6 semesters
• Monthly stipend of KRW 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 for 3 to 4 years
• Round-trip economy airfare to and from Korea
• Korean language evening classes during regular semesters
• National health insurance reimbursement
• Childcare support where applicable

How to Apply

1. Confirm your eligibility: Make sure you are current teaching staff at a university in a developing country, hold a master's or higher, and have no PhD.
2. Choose a program and adviser: Identify the SNU PhD program and, ideally, a prospective supervisor whose research matches your plan.
3. Apply for admission and tick the scholarship box: Submit your PhD admission application through the SNU Office of Admissions and select 'Application for Scholarship' so you are considered for the SPF.
4. Send supporting documents: Provide the documents listed in the official call, including proof of your teaching position, to SNU's Office of Global Affairs.
5. Attend the interview: Shortlisted applicants proceed through interviews after admission results are released.
6. Receive the decision: Final fellows (about eight per semester) are confirmed and begin with their PhD enrollment.

Required Documents

• Completed SNU graduate admission and scholarship application
• Official transcripts and degree certificates from prior study
• Proof of current university teaching or instructional employment
• Research proposal or study plan
• Letters of recommendation
• Passport copy
• Proof of language proficiency required by your program
• Any country-specific documents named in the official call

Key Dates & Deadlines

The SPF runs twice a year alongside SNU's international graduate admission cycles. For a Spring 2027 start, applications were submitted around 6–9 July 2026 through the Office of Admissions, with interviews following admission results and enrollment in the spring semester. A Fall cycle runs on the opposite half of the year. Confirm exact dates on the official notice, since they shift slightly each cycle.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Make your teaching role obvious and well documented, since that is what sets SPF applicants apart
• Write a research plan that connects to a specific SNU lab or professor
• Explain how a PhD will help you contribute to your home university and country
• Contact a potential supervisor early to gauge fit

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting to tick 'Application for Scholarship' on the admission form
• Submitting a vague research proposal with no link to SNU faculty
• Leaving out clear proof of your university employment
• Missing the document deadline at the Office of Global Affairs

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the SNU President Fellowship Program (SPF)?

University teaching or instructional staff from developing countries who hold a master's degree or higher, do not yet have a PhD, and are newly admitted as SNU doctoral students.

Is the SNU President Fellowship Program (SPF) fully funded?

Yes. It covers full tuition for up to six semesters plus a monthly stipend, airfare, health insurance, and Korean language classes.

How much is the SNU President Fellowship Program (SPF) stipend?

The monthly stipend is KRW 1,500,000 to 2,000,000, paid for three to four years.

How many SPF fellows does SNU select?

Approximately eight fellows are selected each semester.

What is the deadline for the SNU President Fellowship Program (SPF)?

Applications open twice a year with admission. For example, Spring 2027 applications were submitted around early July 2026. Check the official notice for the exact window.

Do I apply separately for the SPF?

No. You apply through the regular SNU PhD admission process and select the scholarship option on the application form.

Does the SPF cover airfare?

Yes, round-trip economy airfare is included.

Can I apply for the SPF if I already have a doctorate?

No. The program is specifically for applicants who do not yet hold a PhD.

Does the SPF require Korean language ability?

You must meet your program's language requirement, but the fellowship provides free Korean evening classes to help with daily life.

How long does SPF funding last?

Tuition support runs up to six semesters and the stipend covers three to four years of doctoral study.