One of the most prominent and generous Ph.D. funding programs in South Korea is the Seoul National University (SNU) President Fellowship (SPF). SPF offers a completely supported road to pursue doctoral studies at South Korea’s top-ranked university, and it is only available to teaching and instructional staff members, including lecturers, research professors, and teaching assistants, who are employed at accredited universities in developing nations.
The scholarship is giving exceptional academic professionals the opportunity to further their knowledge and research abilities by pursuing advanced PhD coursework at SNU in the spring of 2026. The SPF seeks to develop future academic and research leaders from poor countries by providing them with extensive financial support and access to top-notch facilities.
Host Country: South Korea
University: Seoul National University
Opportunity Type: Fellowship
Eligibility Country: International Students
Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
Eligibility Criteria:
- must currently work for a reputable institution in a developing nation as a teaching or instructional staff member (such as a lecturer, research faculty, or teaching assistant).
- must not be a Ph.D. holder already.
- A minimum of a master’s degree must have been earned.
- must be accepted into Seoul National University’s (SNU) PhD program for the spring 2026 intake.
- After completing the Ph.D., they must present a certificate of employment and a letter from their university confirming their continued work.
Benefits:
- For a maximum of six semesters, there is no tuition fee.
- KRW 1,500,000–2,000,000 per month (about $1,100–1,450 USD) for three to four years.
- Economy class airfare is offered round-trip.
- Coverage is provided by National Health Insurance.
- Support for childcare is available, if needed.
- Korean language lessons are offered for free in the evenings to promote linguistic and cultural integration.
Deadline: 31 August 2025
