Deadline: 02-Sep-2026
The Support for Policy-Oriented Research Program funds institutions conducting Korea-related research on political, economic, social, and global policy issues. It supports projects on foreign policy, security, economic diplomacy, climate change, AI, and global cooperation while also promoting education for future Korea-focused experts. Eligible applicants are U.S.-based research institutions, think tanks, and university-affiliated organizations applying at the institutional level.
Program Overview: Policy-Oriented Korea Research Funding
The Support for Policy-Oriented Research Program is a research funding initiative designed to strengthen academic and policy understanding of Korea-related issues in global affairs.
It supports both:
- Research projects on Korea’s international role
- Educational programs for future policy experts
The program encourages evidence-based research and capacity building in Korea-focused policy studies.
Key Objectives of the Program
- Promote Korea-related policy research globally
- Strengthen understanding of Korea among future experts
- Support interdisciplinary research on global challenges
- Encourage academic-policy collaboration
- Develop next-generation Korea specialists
Core Research Themes
- Foreign policy and security studies
- Economic diplomacy and trade relations
- Democracy and governance
- Climate change and environmental policy
- Artificial intelligence (AI) governance
- Space cooperation and emerging technologies
Funding Coverage and Eligible Costs
Eligible Costs
The grant covers:
- Research project expenses
- Salaries for researchers and support staff
- Honoraria for contributors
- Travel expenses related to research
- Publication and dissemination costs
- Indirect costs (up to 10% of direct costs)
Non-Eligible Costs
The program does NOT fund:
- General operating expenses (rent, utilities)
- Administrative salaries unrelated to the project
- Major equipment purchases unrelated to research objectives
Who is Eligible?
Eligible Institutions
Applications must be submitted by:
- Overseas research institutions
- Think tanks
- University-affiliated research centers
📍 Location requirement: Institutions must be based in the United States.
Application Requirement
- Applications must be submitted at the institutional level, not by individuals
Ineligible Applicants
- Projects already funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea
- Projects supported by Korean public institutions under the Act on Management of Public Institutions
- Non-institutional (individual) applications
Project Leadership and Participant Structure
Project Director Requirements
- Provides overall academic leadership
- Preferred: Ph.D. or terminal degree
- Strong preference for Korea-related expertise
- Teaching or research experience in relevant fields
Participant Profile
- Graduate students
- Post-doctoral researchers
- Early-career faculty members
- Trainees in policy research programs
Participation Requirement
- At least 50% of participants must have:
- Korea-related research/work experience, or
- Demonstrated academic or policy interest in Korea
Educational and Capacity-Building Components
The program also supports training and academic development activities such as:
- Seminars and academic workshops
- Mentoring programs
- Korea Chair or Korea Fellow positions
- Policy training initiatives
Expected Outputs
Participants must contribute to final deliverables such as:
- Research papers
- Policy memos
- Journal articles
- Videos or podcasts
- Academic reports
How the Program Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Institutional Application
Eligible institutions submit a structured research proposal.
Step 2: Project Design
Applicants define:
- Research themes
- Policy relevance
- Participant structure
- Expected outputs
Step 3: Review and Evaluation
Projects are evaluated based on:
- Academic quality
- Policy relevance
- Korea-related expertise
- Participant composition
Step 4: Funding Allocation
Selected institutions receive financial support for approved project components.
Step 5: Implementation and Reporting
- Conduct research and training activities
- Produce academic and policy outputs
- Submit final project report
Importance of the Program (Why It Matters)
This funding initiative strengthens global policy understanding of Korea by:
- Supporting high-quality academic research
- Developing future policy experts
- Enhancing international policy dialogue
- Addressing global challenges through Korea-focused analysis
- Strengthening knowledge exchange between institutions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Individual (non-institutional) applications
- Including ineligible operating costs
- Weak Korea-related research focus
- Insufficient participant expertise alignment
- Lack of policy relevance in research design
- Not meeting participant experience requirements
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define Korea-related policy relevance
- Include strong academic leadership (Ph.D. preferred)
- Ensure 50%+ participants have Korea-related experience
- Align outputs with policy impact (not only academic results)
- Design multi-format deliverables (reports, media, policy briefs)
- Strengthen interdisciplinary research scope
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can apply for this program?
U.S.-based research institutions, think tanks, and university-affiliated research centers.
2. Can individuals apply?
No. Applications must be submitted by institutions only.
3. What topics are supported?
Foreign policy, security, economic diplomacy, climate change, AI, democracy, and global cooperation.
4. What costs are covered?
Research expenses, salaries, travel, honoraria, publication fees, and limited indirect costs.
5. Are general operating costs allowed?
No. Rent, utilities, and unrelated administrative costs are not covered.
6. What are required outputs?
Policy papers, research publications, media outputs, and final reports.
7. Who should lead the project?
A qualified academic leader, preferably with a Ph.D. and Korea-related expertise.
Conclusion
The Support for Policy-Oriented Research Program is a strategic funding initiative designed to strengthen Korea-focused academic research and policy expertise in the United States. By supporting institutional research, training programs, and interdisciplinary policy studies, it enhances global understanding of Korea while developing the next generation of policy experts.
For more information, visit The Korea Foundation.