Deadline: 02-Sep-2025
The Next Generation Policy Experts Network program supports partner organizations with expertise in politics and international relations to provide opportunities for young professionals to deepen their understanding of contemporary Korea-related issues and establish academic connections to Korea.
The program aims to nurture these young professionals into policy experts capable of providing in-depth analyses and policy recommendations on Korea-related issues.
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
- Up to one year.
- Even if institutions have a multi-year project plan, they must apply for the KF Support for Policy-Oriented Research program each year to have their projects reviewed annually.
Eligible Projects
- Projects (in-person or virtual) targeting next generation policy experts must fall into one of the following four categories:
- A series of conferences, seminars, or workshops focused on Korea-related issues
- Study trips to Korea
- Short-term academic mentoring projects pairing senior experts with early-career professionals
- A combination of the above, or other relevant projects aimed at training the next generation of policy experts on Korea and East Asia
Ineligible Projects
- Projects in the natural sciences, public lectures, arts and cultural activities, and commercial activities are not eligible for this program.
Project and Participant Expectations
- Project directors are expected to provide academic guidance and expertise throughout the project. The KF will prioritize specialists with a Ph.D. or terminal degree in related fields, and/or teaching/research experience related to Korea.
- Program participants should be trainees, graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, or early-career faculty. More than half of the participants must have work/research experience related to Korea or demonstrate a proven interest in Korea-related issues.
- Expected outcomes from participants include:
- Individual reports/essays on their activities and how to incorporate similar experiences into future academic activities
- Journal articles/policy memos on project topics
- Videos, podcasts, or other academic activity output
- These outcomes should be compiled and included in the final report submitted to the KF.
- The KF encourages institutions to recruit young professionals from the region or country where the institution is located, regardless of their nationality. However, participant selection is not a prerequisite for applying for the program.
Eligibility Criteria
- Academic institutions, think tanks, and other research centers outside of Korea and the U.S.
- 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:
- Project proposal
- Project budget in US dollars
- CVs of project director, co-investigators, and/or co-organizers
For more information, visit Korea Foundation.