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1881 East-West Road + Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822

Center for Korean Studies Scholarship Opportunities

The Center for Korean Studies Graduate Scholarships range up to $2,500 and are available for full-time graduate students at UH Mānoa who demonstrate a proven commitment to the field of Korea-related studies. Scholarships generally cover attendance at conferences, workshops, and some types of fieldwork, as well as support for special thesis and tuition needs. New incoming graduate students in Korea-related studies at UH Mānoa are encouraged to apply. The scholarship competition is open to all U.S. citizens and international students.

[Download application form]

This $5,000 scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to undergraduate students with a commitment to Korea-related studies at the UH Mānoa. Recipients must be of junior or senior standing enrolled full-time with a documented commitment to Korea-related studies at UH Mānoa. Recipients must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Financial need will also be considered by the Review Committee. The scholarship competition is open to all U.S. citizens and international students.

[Download application form]

A number of $10,000 scholarships have been established by the Center for Korean Studies in honor of Donald C.W. Kim, a long-time supporter of Korean studies at the University of Hawai‘i. One of the scholarships has been established to provide financial assistance to a top graduate scholar currently doing research in the field of Korea-related studies at UH, and the second has been established to support an incoming student to the program. The scholarship will be awarded beginning in the fall semester of each academic year. New incoming graduate students in Korea-related studies at UH Mānoa are also encouraged to apply. The scholarship competition is open to U.S. citizens and international students. East-West Center grantees and full GAs/TAs are not eligible to apply.

Students interested in applying for the Donald C.W. Kim Graduate Scholarship in Korean Studies should meet the following qualifications:

  1. Applicant must be considered an outstanding student (M.A. or Ph.D.) in the humanities or social sciences whose primary academic interest is focused on Korea. This is a competitive award.
  2. Applicant must be a registered, full-time graduate student.
  3. Applicant must be able to demonstrate an advanced level of Korean language proficiency.

[Download application form]

This $5,000 scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to a top graduate student in Korean studies at UH Mānoa. The scholarship is available beginning in the fall semester of each academic year. U.S. citizens only. East-West Center grantees and full GAs/TAs are not eligible to apply.

Students interested in applying for the Herbert H. Lee Graduate Scholarship should meet the following qualifications:

  1. Applicant must be considered an outstanding student (M.A. or Ph.D.) in Korean studies or a Korea-related field of study. This is a competitive award.
  2. Applicant must be a full-time classified student in a graduate or professional degree program.
  3. Preference is given to students of Korean ancestry.

[Download application form]

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships are available for fall 2008 - spring 2009 and for summer 2008.

  • Fellowships for fall 2008 - spring 2009 consist of a $14,000 stipend and tuition and are available for U.S.-citizen or permanent-resident graduate students who combine Korean language training with area studies. Ph.D. dissertation research/writing is allowed.
  • Fellowships for summer 2008 carry a $2,500 stipend and tuition up to $4,000 and are available for U.S.-citizen or permanent-resident graduate students who will enroll in a formal program of intensive language study. Either 120 contact hours in advanced Korean or 140 contact hours in intermediate Korean is required.

Students who already possess Korean language fluency equivalent to educated native speakers will be given lowest consideration.

A complete application consists of the following items:

  1. Application form and any additional sheets. The form must be neatly typed or printed. The form can be downloaded using the link below.
  2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work directly sent by schools, or photocopies certified and sent by a UH department/Graduate Division official.
  3. Two letters of reference directly sent by the referees, using the attached forms as much as possible. At least one letter must be from the applicant's major field faculty.
  4. Description of your dissertation (two or three pages), if you wish to use FLAS for Ph.D. dissertation during the award period. You must state your purpose, research methodology, use of language as an important tool, and travel plans.

The deadline for applications is February 15, 2008. FLAS awards are subject to funding by the U.S. Department of Education. Major fellowships such as East-West Center grants and half-time graduate assistantships cannot be held concurrently with FLAS academic-year awards

Send application materials to:
FLAS Coordinator
Center for Korean Studies
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
1881 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822

Phone: (808) 956-2212 Fax: 956-2213
E-mail: brandiec@hawaii.edu

Download Application Forms:

Application, pdf-formatted Application form for fellowship

Application, pdf-formatted Frequently asked questions about FLAS

The Korea Foundation fellowships for field research seek to promote Korean studies and facilitate in-depth research on Korean topics by supporting on-site study and research by scholars and Korea specialists. Fellowships are awarded for Korea-related research in the humanities and social sciences, culture and arts, and comparative research related to Korea.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Doctoral candidates who have completed all academic requirements except their dissertation (for Korean studies majors, those who are in their coursework may apply).
  • University professors and lecturers and professional researchers who are currently engaged in Korea-related research or courses at universities or research institutes (applicants with a specific research purpose such as the writing of their dissertations or publications of books are preferred).

Candidates must possess adequate proficiency in Korean or English to conduct their research project and prepare required reports. Individuals related to the following circumstances are not eligible for consideration. Persons who are:

  • Seeking to conduct research related to the natural sciences, medicine, or engineering,
  • Already residing and/or conducting research in Korea,
  • Interested in improving their Korean-language ability or attending regular courses at a Korean university,
  • Former recipients who have completed a Korean Studies fellowship period within the past three years.

Terms of Fellowship Award:

  • Monthly stipend
    • Doctoral candidates: 1,300,000 won
    • Assistant professors/lecturers: 1,500,000 won
    • Full/associate professors: 2,000,000 won
  • Economy-class round-trip international airfare
  • Traveler's Insurance: Reimbursement for medical expenses incurred due to illness or accidents in Korea during the grant period
  • Grant Period: From three to twelve months

Required Materials:

  • Completed Application form. See http://www.kf.or.kr under programs/fellowships
  • Research Proposal (at least three pages, single-spaced)
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Three Letters of recommendation
    • One from head of the applicant's institution (for faculty members, recommendation should be from the dean or higher university official)
    • One from an individual capable of evaluating the applicant's research proposal (for doctoral candidates, this should be from the dissertation advisor)
    • One from a Korean scholar/specialist in a related field who will serve as an in-Korea research advisors/coordinator
  • Certificate of most recent academic degree
  • Evidence of current employment (or enrollment at an institution for doctoral candidates)
  • Graduate school transcript (doctoral candidates only)

Application submission deadline in Korea: July 31 of the year preceding the desired felllowship year.

The Korea Foundation fellowships in Korean language training are intended to enhance competency in the Korean language among Korean studies scholars, graduate students, and professionals in Korea-related fields by providing an opportunity to undertake intensive language training in leading Korean universities. Consult the Korea Foundation Web site (http://www.kf.or.kr) for the latest details regarding this program.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Graduate students who are majoring or minoring in Korea-related subjects for their master's or doctoral degree. (Undergraduate students whose major is either Korean Studies or Korean Language are eligible to apply if they have completed two years of coursework at the time of the application.)
  • Faculty members and researchers who are engaged in teaching or research activities at universities or research institutes
  • Professionals who are serving in cultural/artistic professions that are related to Korea or/and Korean studies (e.g., museum curators specializing in Korean arts)
  • Applicants must have a basic knowledge of and an ability to communicate in the Korean language (intermediate level preferred).
  • For Korean nationals, only those with foreign residency status are eligible to apply.

The number of fellows varies based on the Foundation's annual plan.

Terms of Fellowship Award:

  • Monthly stipend
    • Master's degree and below: 900,000 won
    • Doctoral candidates and above: 1,100,000 won
  • Tuition for Korean Language Course
  • Traveler's Insurance: Reimbursement for medical expenses incurred due to illness or accidents in Korea during the grant period
  • Grant Period: Six months (extension of fellowship period for an additional 3 to 6 months will be considered for those who achieve excellent grades)

Required Materials:

  • Completed application form (http://www.kf.or.kr)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Two Letters of Recommendation (one from head of the applicant's organization, one from a Korean language instructor)
  • Certificate of most recent academic degree
  • Evidence of current employment or enrollment at an institution
  • Undergraduate or graduate school transcript (not essential for faculty members/professionals)
  • Evidence of language proficiency (certificate issued by the language institute, etc.)
  • Graduate school transcript (doctoral candidates only)

Application submission deadline in Korea: July 31 of the year preceding the desired fellowship year.

This $1,750 scholarship was established in 2003 to provide financial assistance to a top graduate student in Korean studies or a Korea-related field of study at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. Students interested in applying for the N.H. Paul Chung Endowed Graduate Scholarship should meet the following qualifications:

  • Applicant must be considered an outstanding graduate student (M.A. or Ph.D.) in Korean studies or a Korea-related field of study. This is a competitive award.
  • Applicant must be a full-time classified student at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.

[Download application form]

This $1,750 scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to a top graduate student in Korean Studies or a Korea-related field of study at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. Students interested in applying for the Yŏng-Min Endowed Scholarship should meet the following qualifications:

  • Applicant must be considered an outstanding full-time graduate student (M.A. or Ph.D.) in Korean Studies or a Korea-related field of study. This is a competitive award.
  • Academic merit is based on a minimum 3.4 GPA.
  • The scholarship competition is open to all U.S. citizens and international student.

[Download application form]

This scholarship supports full-time undergraduate students at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa who have junior or senior class standing, who are pursuing Korea- related academic interests including, but not limited to, Korean language, literature, culture, politics, or economics.

Students interested in applying for the Lee Korean Studies Scholarship should meet the following qualifications:

  • Applicants must be a full-time classified undergraduate student (junior or senior standing) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
  • Applicants must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or above.
  • Financial need shall be a criterion in making this award although not necessarily as defined by federal guidelines.

[Download application form]

This scholarship was created to assist students enrolled in the department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with interest in Cheju Island in Korea. Students interested in applying for the Murabayashi Urban Planning Scholarship should meet the following qualifications:

  • Academic merit is based on a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • The recipient must have an intention to study urban and regional planning of Cheju Island of Korea.

[Download application form]

This scholarship celebrates the life and performing arts of Kim Ch’ŏn-hŭng (1909-–2007), an extraordinary Korean dancer and musician whose impact on Hawai‘i began in the 1960s and continues today. This scholarship seeks to assist students in studying and understanding Korean dance and music, particularly the older forms Kim practiced, and in contributing to the further understanding of the art forms among the scholarly and broader communities. Students interested in applying for the Kim Ch’ŏn-hŭng Memorial Scholarship should meet the following qualifications:

  • Applicants must be classified full-time or part-time, undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a degree at any campus in the University of Hawai’i system with a focus on Korean dance or music with priority given to traditional Korean dance and music, or on Korean studies with a strong concentration in various aspects of Korean performing arts, and have demonstrated a solid commitment to this area of study.
  • Academic merit is based on a minimum 3.0 GPA.

[Download application form]