The KOICA Scholarship 2025-2026 is a fully funded fellowship providing Master’s and PhD degrees in South Korea specifically for public officials and employees of publicly-affiliated organizations from OECD partner countries. The program supports 8 specially selected degree programs. Key requirements include being officially recommended by your government (e.g., EAD in Pakistan), being under 40, and having fluent English skills. The application process is government-led; for Pakistan, the EAD deadline is June 20, 2025, with KOICA interviews scheduled for July 1–3, 2025. Family accompaniment is not permitted.
Table of Contents
KOICA Scholarship 2025-2026: Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Country | South Korea |
| Study Abroad | Study in Asia |
| Category | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships | Public Sector Fellowship |
| Eligible Countries | OECD Partner Countries (e.g., Pakistan, India, Nigeria) |
| Reward | Full Scholarship | Tuition, Stipend, Airfare, Housing |
| Key Criteria | Government Official/Public Employee, Government Nomination, Under 40 |
| Application Deadline | June 20, 2025 (Initial submission to Government Authority) |
Korea International Cooperation Agency KOICA Scholarship 2025-2026 Details
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Scholarship Program 2025-2026 offers a world-class educational opportunity for highly talented public sector employees and government officials from partner countries. The program aims to foster future leaders by providing fully funded Master’s and PhD programs at leading Korean universities. The 2025-2026 cycle supports 8 specially selected degree programs, each accepting four candidates, focusing on areas critical to national development and international cooperation.
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Scholarship Benefits
Tier 1: Full Tuition Waiver and International Travel
This tier ensures the core financial burdens of education and international relocation are entirely covered, allowing scholars to focus solely on their studies.
- Full Tuition Fees: Complete coverage of all tuition costs for the duration of the Master’s or PhD program.
- Round-Trip Airfare: Provision of international economy-class airfare for travel to Korea and the return flight to the home country.
- Accommodation: Fully covered university housing is provided for the entire study period in South Korea.
Tier 2: Essential Financial Support and Research Funds
This tier details the direct financial allowances provided to support daily life, settlement, and academic research needs while residing in Korea.
- Monthly Stipend: A substantial monthly stipend to assist with living expenses, food, and miscellaneous costs.
- Settlement Allowance: A one-time allowance to help scholars settle in immediately upon their arrival in Korea.
- Research Funds and Study Materials: Financial resources are allocated specifically to support academic research activities and the purchase of necessary study aids.
Tier 3: Health, Language, and Program Structure
This tier covers crucial supplementary benefits that contribute to the scholar’s well-being and successful integration into the Korean academic and social environment.
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage through the national health insurance system.
- Korean Language Training: Language courses are included to facilitate cultural adaptation and daily communication.
- Program Focus: The program supports 8 specialized degree programs designed to enhance professional knowledge and global networking among government officials.
Eligibility Requirements for KOICA Scholarship 2025-2026
To be eligible for this specialized fellowship, applicants must meet the following mandatory criteria, emphasizing their connection to the public sector:
- Official Status: Must be a public official or an employee of a publicly-affiliated organization in an eligible KOICA partner country.
- Government Recommendation: Must be officially recommended by your government (e.g., the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) in Pakistan).
- Academic Qualification: Must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.
- Age and Health: Must preferably be under 40 years of age and be in good health.
- Fluency in English: Must be fluent in English for academic and daily communication.
- Prior Participation: Must not have previously participated in the KOICA Master’s Degree Program.
- Application History: Those who passed the 1st KOICA 2025 Scholarship Interview are not eligible to reapply.
Application Deadline: June 20, 2025
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How to Apply for KOICA Scholarship 2025-2026: Detailed Step by Step Application Guide
If you are facing challenges applying for the 2026 KOICA Scholarship, follow the below steps to get it right.
The application process is highly structured and requires timely coordination with the applicant’s governmental authority.
Stage 1: Pre-Application and Government Nomination
The first stage requires you to read and understand the eligibility criteria and obtain a government nomination from your country for the KOICA Scholarship program.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility & Program
The following are the requirements you must meet to apply for the scholarship;
- You must be a citizen of a country that is on the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients and has been designated by KOICA for the 2026 program.
- You must be a government official or an employee of a publicly-affiliated organization.
- Check the program list provided by KOICA to see the list of available universities and specific degree programs for 2026. You may only apply to one program.
- You will also need to be under 40 years old.
- Candidates will be required to hold a Bachelor’s degree for Master’s program (or Master’s for Doctoral program).
- KOICA Scholarship applicants should also preferrably have two years of experience in the field of study (as of February 28, 2026).
- Lastly, you must be in good mental and physical health to study abroad.
Once these criteria have been meet, you are cleared to proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Secure Government Nomination
Without a government nomination, you would not be considered for the scholarship.
how do you get nominated by your government?
- First is to contact the Government Ministry which you work for as a government official. This can also be an agency, a department, or any publicly-affiliated organization.
- You are to request from the ministry an official nomination letter confirming your employment status with the organization and your nomination for the KOICA Scholarship.
- The nomination letter must be signed, stamped, and presented on the official letterhead of the government organization.
- Once you have obtained this letter, you can proceed to Step 3.
Step 3: Gather all your Documents
Gather and prepare the required documents for the first submission round. Ensure your English name on the application matches exactly the name on your passport.
The list of the scholarships documents you should prepare include;
- KOICA Application Forms (Parts 1 to 4, fully typed).
- Official Recommendation Letter from your Government (as secured in Step 2).
Scanned Copy of a Valid Passport. - Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificate (Bachelor’s or Master’s).
- Proof of English Proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, or official English language certification from your university).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Stage 2: Submission and Interview at Korean Embassy
Step 4: Submission to KOICA Country Office (First Round)
- Once your documents are complete, compile them and submit them at the KOICA country office or the Korean Embassy of your home country before the deadline.
- Depending on your local embassy’s instructions, you may be required to either submit digital copies (by email) or hard copies of your documents.
Step 5: KOICA Interview
- If you are shortlisted by the KOICA office, you will be required to participate in an on-site interview at the Korean Embassy Office.
- The scholarship interview focuses on assessing your commitment to development, knowledge of your field, and rationale for choosing the specific program.
- For Nigerians, the Embassy Offices of the Republic of Korea are located in Lagos and Abuja.
- The KOICA Country Office informs you of the interview result and forwards the documents of successful candidates to KOICA HQ in Korea.
NOTE: If an applicant resides in a country where the KOICA country office or Embassy is not present, or lives far from the capital city, they may arrange for a phone interview.
Once you pass this stage, then you are ready to be considered for the final round.
Stage 3: University Screening Round
Step 6: University Document Submission
- Candidates who pass the Embassy screening will be provided with the university admission procedures.
- The university will provide admission guidance to applicants who successfully passed KOICA Round, including document submission methods, deadlines, and other requirements).
- The mode of submission also varies by university; may be via email or an online portal.
Step 7: University Interview/Test and Medical Check
- The Korean university may conduct a local medical check-up (in your home country), a remote interview, and/or a written test to assess your academic readiness for their program.
- Once you pass this step, you get a successful conditional admission status via email.
The above steps have explained the “How to Apply for KOICA Scholarship 2025-2026 step by step”. If you follow these steps, then you will be able to submit your applications successfully.
Application Deadline: June 20, 2025
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
For more Information Click HERE and HERE
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the KOICA Scholarship 2025-2026 open to all international students?
Answer: No, this scholarship is primarily targeted at public officials or employees of publicly-affiliated organizations from KOICA’s partner countries. It is designed for capacity building within the public sector.
2. Is a government recommendation letter mandatory for the application?
Answer: Yes, an official recommendation letter from your country’s designated government authority (such as the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) in Pakistan) is a mandatory requirement.
3. What is the deadline for submitting the application to the recommending authority (e.g., EAD)?
Answer: The specified deadline for submitting your application and government recommendation letter to the relevant authority (e.g., EAD in Pakistan) is June 20, 2025.
4. What is the preferred age limit for applicants?
Answer: Applicants must preferably be under 40 years of age at the time of application to be considered eligible for the Master’s or PhD program.
5. Does the scholarship allow accompanying family members?
Answer: No, the KOICA Scholarship 2025-2026 explicitly states that family accompaniment is not permitted for scholars throughout the duration of the program.
6. What benefits are covered by the KOICA Scholarship?
Answer: It is a fully funded scholarship covering full tuition fees, a monthly stipend, university accommodation, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and research funds.
7. Can I apply if I have previously received a KOICA Master’s degree?
Answer: No, applicants must not have previously participated in the KOICA Master’s Degree Program to be eligible for the 2025-2026 intake.
8. How many degree programs are available, and how many candidates are accepted per program?
Answer: The scholarship supports 8 specially selected degree programs, and each program accepts a limited number of 4 candidates per intake year.
9. When are the interviews conducted after the initial application submission?
Answer: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews at the KOICA country office between July 1 and July 3, 2025.
10. Can I apply to more than one degree program or university?
Answer: No, the official notes state that duplicate applications are not allowed, meaning you must choose and apply for only one course/university.
