KAIST International Student Doctoral Scholarship
KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) offers a near-automatic doctoral funding package for admitted international PhD students — a full tuition fee waiver plus a monthly stipend of KRW 350,000+ (which often grows to KRW 700,000–1,500,000 once research lab assistantships are factored in). KAIST is South Korea's leading STEM-focused research university and one of Asia's top engineering institutions. Sri Lankan applicants with first-class engineering, computer science, or natural sciences degrees and research output are competitive — KAIST has long-standing connections with Sri Lankan engineering universities.
Fall 2026 admissions closed; Fall 2027 main round closes April 2027
KAIST
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Full Tuition + KRW 350,000+/mo
Duration
Up to 4 Years (PhD)
Application
Automatic at PhD Admission
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
KAIST — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
Full Tuition + KRW 350,000+ Monthly Stipend. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Admission to a KAIST PhD
You must be admitted to a PhD programme at KAIST. The doctoral scholarship is functionally bundled with admission — most admitted international PhD students receive the tuition waiver and stipend automatically.
Strong Master's or Honours Bachelor's
Typically a Master's degree with strong research output, or a Bachelor's with first-class honours and demonstrated research experience. Sri Lankan applicants from Moratuwa, Colombo, or Peradeniya with publications are competitive.
Supervisor Support
Identifying and contacting a potential KAIST supervisor before applying significantly improves admission and funding outcomes. Lab-based stipend top-ups (research assistantships) come from supervisor funding.
English Proficiency
TOEFL iBT 83+, IELTS 6.5+, or equivalent. Most KAIST PhD programmes are taught in English. Korean language ability is not required at admission but is helpful for daily life in Daejeon.
account_tree Application Process
Contact prospective KAIST supervisors
Identify KAIST faculty whose research aligns with your interests and email them 4-6 months ahead of the application deadline with your CV and a brief research proposal. Strong advisor support during department ranking is the critical lever.
Submit the PhD application
Apply through the KAIST online admissions portal during the relevant intake window. Required documents include transcripts, two referee letters, a research proposal (3-5 pages), and a CV. The single application covers both admission and scholarship consideration.
Department review and interview
Applications are reviewed at department level; shortlisted candidates are typically interviewed online by faculty. Most admitted PhD students receive the standard scholarship package automatically.
Accept and arrange Korean visa
Successful applicants accept the offer and apply for the D-2 student visa at the Korean embassy in Colombo. The tuition waiver applies from the first semester; the stipend is paid monthly into a Korean bank account once enrolled.
Why KAIST?
KAIST is South Korea's flagship STEM-focused research university and consistently sits in the world's top 60. Located in Daejeon (Korea's science city), with strong industry partnerships across Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and the Korean startup ecosystem. Smaller and more research-intensive than SNU, with most PhD instruction in English.
#52
QS World Ranking 2026
1971
Founded
English
PhD Instruction
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat KR actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for KR, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
Check the requirement arrow_forwardSimilar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
DGIST International PhD Scholarship
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
GIST International Graduate Scholarship
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
SNU President Fellowship
Seoul National University