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South Korea Check current round

SNU President Fellowship

The Seoul National University President Fellowship (SPF) is SNU's most prestigious fully-funded PhD scholarship for international scholars. It targets a specific profile — current university lecturers / instructional staff from developing countries who hold a Master's degree but not yet a PhD. Sri Lankan academics from public and recognised private universities qualify. Awards cover tuition, a generous monthly stipend, international airfare, health insurance, childcare support, and free Korean language classes for 3 to 4 years.

The Spring 2027 cycle ran around July–August 2026. SNU opens this fellowship annually in mid-year for the following Spring intake, so expect the Spring 2028 round around July 2027 — confirm on the SNU admissions site.

Seoul National University

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

Fully Funded + Stipend

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Duration

3-4 Year PhD

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Includes

Airfare, Health, Childcare

info How this award actually works

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Who awards it

Seoul National University — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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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.

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What it covers

Full Tuition + KRW 1.5-2M/month. 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.

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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

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University Faculty

Must be a current teaching or instructional staff member at a major university in a developing country (Sri Lankan public and recognised private universities qualify). A formal letter from your university confirming your faculty position is required.

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Master's Degree, No PhD

Must hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution by the SNU admission date, AND must NOT already hold a PhD or be enrolled in a PhD elsewhere. The fellowship is specifically for first-time doctoral students.

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SNU PhD Admission

You must apply for and be admitted to an SNU PhD programme as a newly admitted student for the upcoming Spring semester. Existing SNU students cannot transfer onto SPF.

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Developing Country Citizen

Must be a citizen and resident of a developing country at the time of application (Sri Lanka qualifies under the SNU eligibility list). Dual nationals holding Korean citizenship are not eligible.

account_tree Application Process

Submit SNU graduate application

Apply for the SNU PhD programme via the SNU online portal (typically opens early July for Spring intake). On the form, tick the "SPF candidate" checkbox. PhD admission and SPF are evaluated together.

Submit SPF supporting documents

By the published August deadline, email and post the SPF document set: faculty employment confirmation letter, study/research plan, two recommendation letters (one from your home university), Master's transcripts, and English proficiency proof (TOEFL iBT 88+ or IELTS 6.5+).

First-round SPF committee screening

The SPF Committee shortlists candidates in early September. Shortlisted applicants are forwarded to SNU graduate admissions for the standard PhD review.

Final selection & interview

SNU graduate admission results in late November. Shortlisted SPF finalists are interviewed in January, and final awardees are notified before the March Spring semester start.

Why Seoul National University?

SNU is South Korea's top-ranked university, located in Seoul's Gwanak district. SPF is uniquely designed to strengthen academic ties between SNU and universities in developing countries — alumni return home as senior faculty.

#31

QS World Ranking 2026

3-4 yrs

Full Funding Duration

KRW 1.5-2M

Monthly Stipend

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.

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