The KOICA Scholarship 2027, offered by the Korea International Cooperation Agency, is a fully funded postgraduate scholarship for civil servants and professionals from developing partner countries pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees at participating Korean universities. Covering full tuition, a monthly stipend of approximately 999,000 KRW, round-trip international airfare, settlement allowance, university housing, and national health insurance, the scholarship targets development-focused fields such as gender equality, public management, and smart city technology. No IELTS is required. The deadline is 31 July 2026, though it varies by country.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Fully Funded Master’s & PhD Scholarship |
| Organising Body | Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) |
| Mode | On-Campus (Offline) |
| Duration | Duration of enrolled Master’s or PhD programme |
| Location | Participating Korean Universities, South Korea |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 July 2026 (varies by country) |
About the Program
The Korea International Cooperation Agency administers the KOICA Scholarship Program as a core component of Korea’s bilateral aid strategy, directing postgraduate education opportunities toward professionals from developing partner countries working in fields directly aligned with national development priorities. Eligible disciplines specifically address agreed development needs such as gender equality, public management and administrative reform, e-government, smart city technology, and global education leadership.
Furthermore, the KOICA Scholarship 2027 is deliberately structured to strengthen institutional capacity within partner countries rather than serve purely individual academic advancement: applicants must be officially recommended by their government as civil servants or professionals already working in relevant fields. Consequently, returning scholars are positioned to apply their enhanced expertise directly within their home government institutions, reinforcing the scholarship’s broader development cooperation objectives between Korea and its partner nations.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Applicants must be citizens of an eligible developing partner country as specified on the official KOICA eligible countries list.
- Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English, as all coursework is delivered in English.
- Master’s applicants must hold a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in their field.
- Doctoral applicants must hold a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in their field.
Experience & Other Conditions
- Applicants must be under 40 years of age as of 1 February 2027.
- Applicants must be in good physical and mental health.
- Applicants must be a civil servant or professional officially recommended by their home government for the scholarship.
- Eligibility and specific application deadlines vary by partner country; applicants should confirm country-specific requirements through their government’s nominating authority.
Stipend, Salary & Benefits
The KOICA Scholarship 2027 provides comprehensive financial support designed to cover all major costs throughout the scholar’s postgraduate study in Korea.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | Full exemption |
| Monthly Allowance | Approximately 999,000 KRW (around USD 750) |
| Round-Trip Airfare | Fully covered |
| Settlement Allowance | 600,000 KRW (Master’s) / 1,200,000 KRW (Doctorate) |
| University Housing | Provided |
| National Health Insurance | Covered |
| Academic & Cultural Activity Support | Included |
| Completion Grant | 300,000 KRW (Master’s) / 600,000 KRW (Doctorate) |
Eligible Programmes
The KOICA Scholarship 2027 supports postgraduate study across the following master’s degree programmes:
- Master’s in Public Management and Administrative Reform
- Master’s in Global Education Leadership
- Master’s in Smart City Management and Technology
- Master’s Programme in Tax and Fiscal Policy
- Master’s Programme in Gender Equality
Selection Process
- Official nomination by the applicant’s home government as a civil servant or relevant professional
- Online application submission through the official KOICA Scholarship webpage
- Assessment of academic background, professional experience, and motivation for the chosen programme
- Evaluation of the relevance of the selected programme to the applicant’s professional role and home country development needs
- Final selection based on demonstrated commitment, academic fit, and government endorsement
How to Apply
- Confirm your eligibility, including government recommendation status, age limit, and minimum professional experience requirement for your intended degree level.
- Visit the official KOICA Scholarship webpage to review country-specific application procedures and deadlines.
- Identify the eligible master’s or doctoral programme that best aligns with your professional background and your home country’s development priorities.
- Complete the official application form, ensuring all academic, professional, and government nomination details are accurately provided.
- Submit your completed application through the official KOICA portal before the deadline of 31 July 2026, noting that specific deadlines may vary by partner country.
Important Dates & Links
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 31 July 2026 (varies by country) |
Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the KOICA Scholarship 2027?
Citizens of eligible developing partner countries who are civil servants or professionals officially recommended by their government, under 40 years of age, in good health, and proficient in English are eligible, provided they hold at least two years (master’s) or three years (doctoral) of relevant professional experience.
What does the KOICA Scholarship 2027 cover financially?
The scholarship covers full tuition fees, a monthly allowance of approximately USD 750, round-trip international airfare, a settlement allowance, university housing, national health insurance, support for academic and cultural activities, and a completion grant at the end of the programme.
Do I need government nomination to apply for the KOICA Scholarship 2027?
Yes. Applicants must be officially recommended by their home government as a civil servant or professional; the scholarship is not open to individual applications without this government endorsement.
Which fields of study does the KOICA Scholarship 2027 cover?
Eligible programmes include public management and administrative reform, global education leadership, smart city management and technology, tax and fiscal policy, and gender equality — all aligned with Korea’s bilateral development cooperation priorities.
When is the deadline for the KOICA Scholarship 2027?
The general deadline is 31 July 2026, though specific deadlines vary by partner country. Applicants should confirm the exact deadline applicable to their nominating government well in advance of submission.