BK21 FOUR graduate support 2027: eligibility, funding, deadline and how to apply

🇰🇷 South Korea · Offered by Ministry of Education / National Research Foundation of Korea · For Master's, PhD applicants.

Updated 10 November 2026 · Researched from the sources listed at the end. Confirm current details on the official website before you apply.

Country: 🇰🇷 South Korea
Provider: Ministry of Education / National Research Foundation of Korea
Degree levels: Master's, PhD
Funding: Monthly stipend from the Korean government (NRF) through the BK21 team, plus support for conferences and publication fees.
Deadline: No separate deadline: selection is made by the BK21 team each semester after admission.
Expected opening: Each semester (after admission)
Duration: Each semester, within the time limits.
Professor contact: Required: you need a professor's acceptance before or during the application.

Official website

About the BK21 FOUR graduate support in South Korea

Government funding given to selected university departments, which pay graduate students in participating labs. Reached through the professor and department.

Eligibility

Who can apply

Full-time graduate students (including international students) who join a BK21 FOUR education/research team.

Academic requirements

Enrolled full-time in a department with a BK21 FOUR team; within time limits (e.g. 4 semesters for Master's, 8 for PhD at SNU).

Language requirements

Follows the graduate programme's requirements.

What the scholarship covers

Monthly stipend from the Korean government (NRF) through the BK21 team, plus support for conferences and publication fees.

Tuition: Not directly; usually combined with a university tuition scholarship.
Stipend and benefits: Minimum about KRW 700,000–1,000,000/month (Master's) and KRW 1,100,000–1,600,000/month (PhD), depending on the team.
Duration: Each semester, within the time limits.

Deadline and opening date

No separate deadline: selection is made by the BK21 team each semester after admission.

Expected opening: Each semester (after admission).

Required documents

BK21 participation form (from the department)
Enrolment certificate
Advisor confirmation

How to apply

Get admitted to a department with a BK21 FOUR team and ask your advisor to include you as a participating student.

Find a professor for the BK21 FOUR graduate support in South Korea

A professor's acceptance can decide this application. ScholarReach finds professors in South Korea whose research matches yours, writes a personal email to each one, and tracks every reply.

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Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the BK21 FOUR graduate support in South Korea?

Full-time graduate students (including international students) who join a BK21 FOUR education/research team. Enrolled full-time in a department with a BK21 FOUR team; within time limits (e.g. 4 semesters for Master's, 8 for PhD at SNU).

What does the BK21 FOUR graduate support in South Korea cover?

Monthly stipend from the Korean government (NRF) through the BK21 team, plus support for conferences and publication fees. Minimum about KRW 700,000–1,000,000/month (Master's) and KRW 1,100,000–1,600,000/month (PhD), depending on the team.

What is the BK21 FOUR graduate support in South Korea deadline?

No separate deadline: selection is made by the BK21 team each semester after admission. Expected opening: Each semester (after admission).

Is IELTS required for the BK21 FOUR graduate support in South Korea?

Follows the graduate programme's requirements.

Do I need a supervisor or professor's acceptance for the BK21 FOUR graduate support in South Korea?

Required: you need a professor's acceptance before or during the application.

How do I apply for the BK21 FOUR graduate support in South Korea?