RFAs: 2027 KF Support for Policy-Oriented Research Program (U.S.)

The Support for Policy-Oriented Research Program funds institutional research and education projects focused on Korea-related policy issues, including foreign policy, security, economic diplomacy, and global challenges. It supports U.S.-based research institutions, think tanks, and university-affiliated centers, covering salaries, research costs, travel, publications, and Korea Chair/Fellow positions, while excluding projects already funded by Korean government sources.

What is the Support for Policy-Oriented Research Program?

The Support for Policy-Oriented Research Program is a funding initiative designed to strengthen global academic and policy understanding of Korea’s political, economic, social, and strategic issues.

It supports institutions that develop:

• Evidence-based policy research on Korea
• Educational programs for future Korea experts
• Academic capacity building in Korea studies
• Institutional research leadership such as Korea Chairs and Korea Fellows

The program prioritizes research that contributes to policy development, international cooperation, and global understanding of Korea.

Key Focus Areas

Korea-Related Policy Research

The program supports research in:

• Foreign policy and international security
• Economic diplomacy and trade relations
• Global governance and international challenges involving Korea

Education and Training Programs

It funds initiatives that build the next generation of experts through:

• Academic seminars and workshops
• Mentoring and training programs
• Graduate and postdoctoral research engagement
• Early-career faculty development

Institutional Academic Positions

The program supports long-term academic leadership structures such as:

• Korea Chair positions (long-term research leadership roles)
• Korea Fellow positions (specialized research appointments)

What the Program Funds

Eligible costs include:

• Researcher and staff salaries
• Honoraria for experts and speakers
• Travel and field research expenses
• Publication and dissemination costs
• Indirect costs up to 10% of direct project costs

What is NOT Funded

The program excludes:

• Rent and utility costs
• General administrative salaries unrelated to the project
• Major equipment purchases not directly tied to research
• General institutional operating expenses

Who is Eligible?

Eligible Institutions

Applications must be submitted by institutions located in the United States:

• Overseas research institutions
• Policy think tanks
• University-affiliated research centers

Application Requirement

• Applications must be submitted in the institution’s name (individual applications are not allowed)

Project Leadership Requirements

• Project directors should provide academic leadership
• Preference for PhD or equivalent terminal degree holders
• Strong background in Korea-related research or teaching

Participant Eligibility (Education Programs)

• Graduate students
• Postdoctoral researchers
• Early-career faculty
• Trainees in Korea-related studies

At least 50% of participants must have:

• Prior Korea-related experience, OR
• Demonstrated strong interest in Korea studies

Eligibility Restrictions

Projects are not eligible if they:

• Receive funding from the Government of the Republic of Korea
• Are supported by Korean public institutions under national law
• Duplicate existing Korean government-funded programs

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Funded projects must produce measurable outcomes such as:

• Policy research reports
• Academic journal articles
• Policy briefs and memos
• Educational outputs (seminars, workshops)
• Multimedia outputs (videos, podcasts)
• Final project reports documenting results

All projects must demonstrate clear academic or policy impact.

Korea Chair and Korea Fellow Positions

Korea Chair

• Long-term academic leadership role
• Minimum duration: 3 years or more
• Focus on sustained institutional research development
• Supports strategic Korea studies programs

Korea Fellow

• Specialized research appointment
• Supports focused or thematic Korea-related research
• Enhances institutional expertise in Korea studies

How the Program Works

Step 1: Institutional Application

Eligible organizations submit proposals under institutional authority.

Step 2: Proposal Design

Applicants define:

• Research objectives and policy relevance
• Education and training components
• Budget allocation and staffing structure
• Korea Chair or Fellow structure (if applicable)

Step 3: Evaluation Process

Applications are reviewed based on:

• Academic quality and rigor
• Policy relevance and impact
• Institutional capacity
• Strength of Korea-focused expertise

Step 4: Funding Allocation

Selected institutions receive funding for approved project activities.

Step 5: Implementation and Reporting

Institutions implement projects and submit final outputs and evaluation reports.

Why This Program Matters

The program plays a key role in strengthening global understanding of Korea by:

• Supporting evidence-based policy research
• Building international expertise in Korea studies
• Training future scholars and policy experts
• Enhancing academic collaboration between institutions
• Informing global policy discussions involving Korea

It contributes to stronger international academic and policy ecosystems focused on Korea.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applications are often rejected due to:

• Individual applications instead of institutional submissions
• Lack of clear Korea policy relevance
• Inclusion of ineligible operating costs
• Insufficient academic expertise in Korea studies
• Overlap with Korean government-funded projects
• Weak education or training components

Tips for Strong Applications

To improve success chances:

• Clearly define Korea-related policy impact
• Include experienced Korea scholars in leadership roles
• Ensure strong institutional research capacity
• Design measurable education and training outcomes
• Align research with real-world policy challenges
• Clearly justify Korea Chair or Fellow positions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for this program?

Only institutions such as think tanks, research institutes, and university-affiliated centers in the United States.

Can individuals apply directly?

No. Applications must be submitted by institutions, not individuals.

What areas does the program support?

Foreign policy, security, economic diplomacy, global challenges, and Korea-focused education programs.

What costs are covered?

Salaries, travel, honoraria, publication costs, and indirect costs up to 10%.

What are Korea Chair and Korea Fellow positions?

They are institutional academic roles supporting long-term (Chair) and specialized (Fellow) Korea-focused research.

Are projects funded by Korean government agencies eligible?

No. Any overlapping funding from Korean government sources makes the project ineligible.

What is the main purpose of this program?

To strengthen global policy research and academic understanding of Korea through institutional support.

Conclusion

The Support for Policy-Oriented Research Program is a strategic funding initiative that strengthens international Korea studies through institutional research, education programs, and academic leadership positions. By supporting think tanks and universities, it enhances global policy understanding of Korea’s political, economic, and strategic role while building long-term academic capacity in the field.