Support for Policy-Oriented Research Program in United States

Deadline: 02-Sep-2025

The Support for Policy-Oriented Research program provides grant funding for research projects or programs that conduct in-depth analysis and develop policy recommendations on Korea-related political, social, and economic issues impacting the international community.

Supported Areas

• Policy research related to Korea on topics such as:
  • Issues concerning the Korean Peninsula, including but not limited to regional security, the ROK-U.S. alliance, non-proliferation, soft power, minilateralism, etc.
  • Collaboration in science and technology security policy, including but not limited to semiconductors, batteries, the global supply chain, cyber-security, artificial intelligence, space technology, etc.
  • Collaboration on global issues, including but not limited to economic security (trade and tariff), human rights and democracy, climate change and the environment, energy security, etc.
• Education program for Next Generation Policy Experts:
  • Aiming at enhancing understanding of Korea through academic seminars, workshops, and mentoring for emerging policy experts
• Establishment of a Korea Chair/Fellow position focused on Korea-related research:
  • Please determine whether to apply for the Korea.Chair or Korea Fellow position based on the following two criteria:
    • The expected duration of the position within your institution
    • The scope of the proposed research and activities
    • Korea Chair: This applies when the institution intends to establish and maintain the position for multiple years (at least three years) and when the proposed research and activities go beyond a single-year project and are long-term in nature. Any institution wishing to submit a project proposal for the establishment of a Korea Chair is required to contact the KF prior to submitting the application.
    • Korea Fellow: This applies when the institution intends to appoint the position on a one-year basis, and the proposed research and activities are focused on a one-year project.
• An applicant institution may apply for multiple projects (e.g., Policy Research, Establishment of a Korea Chair). However, please submit a separate application for each program. Note that the project proposal form varies by program. Ensure you download the correct form for your project.

Costs Covered

• Project expenses, salaries for researchers and staff, honoraria, travel expenses, publication fees, indirect costs (in an amount of up to 10% of direct costs), etc.
• Please note that KF grants do not cover general operating expenses, such as rent, utilities, and administrative salaries unrelated to the project. Additionally, capital expenditures, such as acquiring major equipment not related to the project, are not covered.

Grant Period

• Grant Period: Up to one year
• Even if institutions have a multi-year research plan, they must apply for the KF Support for Policy-Oriented Research program each year to have their projects reviewed annually. However, in the case of proposals for the establishment of a Korea Chair/Fellow position, multi-year support may be available.

Eligibility Criteria

• Overseas research institutions, think tanks, or university-affiliated research institutions located in the United States.
• Applications must be submitted under an institution’s name, not by an individual.

Evaluation Criteria

• Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate:
  • Excellence of the research plan
  • Capacity and experience of project director’s achievements and activities related to Korea and East Asia
  • Budget feasibility
  • Anticipated results of the proposed project and plans for dissemination of research findings

Application Requirements

• Application materials to be uploaded with the online application:
  • Research proposal (Attached).
  • Project budget in US dollars.
  • CVs of project director, co-investigators, and/or co-organizers.
• Please note that that the project proposal form varies by program (Policy Research, Next Generation Education Program, Establishment of Korea Chair/Fellow position). Ensure you download the correct form for your project.

For more information, visit Korea Foundation.