Eligible Applicants

• University faculty and institution researchers from eligible countries who have a doctoral degree
• European/American postdoctoral researchers in science field (newly added)
• Applicants, in principle, must be 50 years old or younger at the period of application deadline

• ※ Applicants must be able to carry out research in English and should not have any health issues that might hinder their research activities
• ※ Those not eligible:

• Persons whose prime interest is to teach in Korea
• Korea citizens
• Candidates who have resided or conducted research in Korea for 3 years immediately preceding their application submission date

Research Fields

• All fields, such as but not limited to

• Humanities/Social Sciences

  Economics, Business Administration, Political Science, Public Administration, Law, Sociology, Education, Psychology, Anthropology, Communication, Geography, History, Philosophy, Literature.

• Information Technology

  Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, Computer Engineering.

• Life Sciences

  Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Ecology, Immunology, Genetic Engineering.

• Energy

Application Process

• Check Eligibility

  Make sure that you meet all the requirements before applying.

• Fill Out Application Online
• Receive Temporary Password

  Receive temporary password that can only be used during the application period (temporary password can be modified).

• Fill Out Application

  Fill out application and submit a research proposal.

• Submit Supplementary Documents

  Upload required documents and request recommendation letters.

• Undergo Application Review

  Review process includes 1) review of research field and 2) overall review.

• ※ If you have received confirmation from the host institution in Korea, please attach the host-agreement letter when applying. Once accepted, you must contact the scholar from the host institution and receive the institution's formal confirmation.

Application Deadline

• Submission : Early November – Mid February
• Result : Early April

Financial Support

• Research Grant (includes living expenses) : Monthly stipend of 3,500,000 KRW
• Publication (one time payment) : 1,000,000 KRW (following the submission of final research report)
• Publication Incentives : 2,000~5,000 USD (if published in SSCI-, AHCI-, or SCI-indexed journals), 1,000 USD (if published in the National Research Foundation of Korea-indexed journals)
• Settlement Expenses (one time payment) : 1,000,000 KRW
• Round-trip Airfare (economy class), Medical Insurance

• ※ Publication incentive will be provided for articles published within 2 years of the date of the Fellow's return to his/her country. The article must indicate that the research was funded by the ISEF program. Incentives may vary depending on the journal's influence and the writer's level of contribution.
• ※ Research grant will be provided upon the condition of the Fellow arriving in Seoul within a month of the suggested arrival date.

Research Period

• 1 Year : Sept. 1 – Aug. 31 of the fellowship grant year.
• 6 Months : Sept. 1 – Feb. 28 or Mar. 1 – Aug. 31 of the fellowship grant year.
• For post-doctoral researchers, a one-year extension is possible after evaluaion.

Fellowship Requirement

• Produce interim progress reports and a final research report.

Contact

• 17th FL, 211 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06141, Republic of Korea
• Tel. 82-2-6310-7813 | Fax. 82-2-6310-7849 | E-mail : isef@chey.org

How to Apply

Read the following instructions carefully before applying

Online Application Process

• Check eligibility
• Receive temporary
  password

  Receive temporary password via e-mail. The password is only valid during application period. (You can change the password from the application page.)

• Complete the online application form

  Fill out the online application form. Fill out the application and submit research proposal.

• Submit additional documents

  Submit supplementary files online. Upload required documents and request recommendation letters from recommenders.

• Confirm submission

01. Before Applying

1) Check your eligibility

• Read “About the International Scholar Exchange Fellowship (ISEF) ” carefully to make sure that you meet all the requirements, such as eligible field of research and Nationality. Those who do not meet such requirements will be rejected without notice.

2) E-mail Authentication

• If you meet all the requirements, click “Apply” at the bottom of the page and authenticate your e-mail. A temporary password will be sent to your e-mail. Click “Apply” from your e-mail and log in using your temporary password. You can change the password from the application page. Using your e-mail and password, you can then fill out, manage, and confirm your application status.

02. Complete the Online Application

1) Complete the application form

• The ISEF application section consists of 4 parts: personal information, education, additional information, and submission of documents. After you complete the first three parts, upload all required documents in the “submission of documents” page.
• All items must be entered in English. Chinese may be entered in some cases, but always along with English.
• Required fields (marked with a red dot) must be entered in order to move to the next item.
• Every question must be answered carefully and completely.
• You can manage your application in “Application History.” Once you submit, you cannot make changes to your application.

2) Submit your research proposal and attach relevant documents

• Research proposals should be attached as a doc, docx, pdf, or ppt file. The file name should be your full name (e.g., Wang Lei.doc).
• Research proposals must be a minimum of four pages (A4, single-spaced), and use Times New Roman (12 point font).
• At the beginning of your proposal, please indicate your full name, affiliation, field of research, and proposed research topic.
• Research proposals should include the following:

• Statement of purpose: Be specific about your academic interest within your field
• Background: Place your research project in an academic context by referencing major works by other scholars in this field. Bibliography may be attached in order to provide the background on your proposed project. Also describe how your proposed research plan is related to your previous study/research, and fits your future academic goals.
• Objectives: Write a clear and detailed description of your proposed research objectives.
• Scope, design, and methodology: Describe the scope, design, and methodology of your proposed research project.
• Schedule: Explain how your project can be completed within the duration of this fellowship.
• Significance: Explain the significance of your proposed project for your academic field, your own professional development, and your home Nationality.
• Dissemination: Describe your plans for disseminating your research findings in your home Nationality and elsewhere.
• Publications: Include a complete list of your publications, translated into English. Use standard citation and bibliographical format.

3) Submit Required Documents

• Please upload a certificate of doctoral degree, a certificate of employment, and two research samples.

4) Recommendation Letters

• Application requires 2 recommendations. Please enter relevant information about the recommenders in your application, and click send. A link will be sent to the e-mail address you listed. You can also re-send requests for recommendation. Once your application is submitted, you cannot change your recommenders.
• Please follow the instructions on the recommendation letter. At least one recommendation should come from a source not affiliated with your institution.
• Recommenders should be in a position to comment on your abilities and qualifications to carry out the stated research project in Korea. Also, they should state the value of your research in relation the teaching responsibilities in your Nationality.
• Recommendation letters may be written in English or Korean.

5) Letter of Research Affiliation, if available at the time of application.

03. Application Deadlinen

End of February. Please refer to the program details for specific dates.
※ The Chey Institute must receive all application materials by the stated deadline.

04. Host Institution in Korea

• Fellows are responsible for finding their host scholars and institutions in Korea. Fellows should inquire if the host institution offers accommodations, such as dormitories or apartments. Prior to arriving in Korea, fellows ust discuss the host scholar's role and involvement in their research.
• Upon selection as an ISEF fellow, you must contact the host institution and scholar immediately to arrange your research affiliation.
• Once your host institution is confirmed, a letter of confirmation from the host institution must be sent to the Chey Institute. The confirmation letter is available for download in “ISEF Archive.”

05. Confirm Submission

• After submitting your application, you can check your application status in “Application History.”

06. Important Notice

• All documents must reach the Chey Institute by the application deadline in order to be considered for the following academic year (September).
• All communications, including questions about your application, must be sent to the Chey Institute.
• Incomplete application may be rejected without notice.
• Submitted documents will not be returned.
• Acceptance may be rescinded if the applicant is found to have provided false information.