The Fully Funded KOICA Scholarship Program offers opportunities for government officials and professionals from developing countries to pursue Master’s and Ph.D. degrees at leading universities in South Korea. Organized by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) under the CIAT (Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow) initiative, the program fosters international cooperation and builds future leaders to contribute to the sustainable development of their home countries.
Fully Funded KOICA Scholarship Overview
- Scholarship Name: Korea International Cooperation Agency Scholarship Program (2025–2)
Host Country: South Korea
- Eligible Countries: Countries selected by the Korean government (KOICA) from the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients (93 Countries)
Degree Levels: Master’s and Ph.D.
Fields of Study: Various programs aligned with development priorities
Duration: Master’s (17 months) and Ph.D. (36 months)
- Application Deadlines: Varies by KOICA office, usually by July 2025
Also Read: Fully Funded Yousriya Loza-Sawiris Scholarship in USA 2026
Eligible Countries
| Region | List of Designated Countries |
|---|---|
| Africa(40) | Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Uganda, Cameroon, Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Tanzania, Tunisia, DR Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Niger, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Burkina Faso, Benin, Burundi, Sierra Leone, Angola, Zambia, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Togo, South Sudan, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Comoros, South Africa, Botswana |
| Central & South America(18) | Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Honduras, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Guyana, Grenada, Dominica, Belize, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Asia(13) | Nepal, Timor-Leste, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Viet Nam, Sri-Lanka, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand |
| Pacific(12) | Fiji, Nauru, Niue, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Palau |
| Middle East & CIS & Eastern Europe(10) | Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Jordan, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan |
Participating Institutions & Fields of Study
| University | Program | Degree Level | Quota |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDI School of Public Policy | Economic Development Policy for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth | Master’s | 20 |
| KDI School of Public Policy | Economic Development Policy for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth | Doctoral | 3 |
| Handong Global University | e-Government and Public Management | Master’s | 20 |
| Handong Global University | e-Government and Public Management | Doctoral | 3 |
| Yonsei University | Health Policy and Financing Capacity Building | Master’s | 20 |
| Yonsei University | Health Policy and Financing Capacity Building | Doctoral | 3 |
| Sungkyunkwan University | e-Government and Public Management | Master’s | 20 |
| Incheon National University | Climate Change and Environment Management | Master’s | 20 |
Note: Applicants must choose only ONE program.
Scholarship Benefits
- Round-trip economy-class airfare
- Settlement Allowance of KRW 600,000 (Master’s) / KRW 1,200,000 (Doctoral)
- Monthly Allowance of KRW 1,200,000 per month
- Full tuition fee coverage
- On-campus university dormitory
- Scholarship Completion Grant KRW 300,000 (Master’s) / KRW 600,000 (Ph.D.)
- National health insurance of approximately KRW 81,000 per month + Private medical insurance
- Field trips, workshops, and language training
Note: KOICA does not cover visa fees, stopovers, local transport, document authentication, or express shipping.
Eligibility Criteria
Government official with official nomination by their government
Age should be under 40 years
- Master’s: Bachelor’s + preferably 2 years of experience
- Ph.D.: KOICA Master’s + preferably 3 years of experience
Physically and mentally fit (medical exams required)
Strong command of English (programs are taught in English)
Restrictions:
No prior KOICA degree scholarship for the same level
KOICA Master’s grads may apply for the Doctoral program
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Required Documents
KOICA Application Forms (Parts 1–4)
Government nomination letter
Valid passport copy (min. 6-month validity)
University application form (if selected for 2nd round)
Degree certificates (must be apostilled or consular confirmed)
English language proficiency (test results or proof)
Medical check-up forms (during selection and upon arrival)
Note: All documents must be typed in English and follow formatting and document checklists strictly.
Application Process
- Submit a complete KOICA application via email to the KOICA Office or the Korean Embassy
- On-site (or virtual) interview with KOICA country office/embassy
- Document screening + medical check + academic interview
- Submit apostilled originals to KOICA embassy
- Orientation + in-country medical check-up + enrollment begins (Jan–Feb 2026)
Timeline
Deadline: July 2025 for most country offices
University Interviews: October 2025
Admission Notifications: November 2025
Arrival: Jan–Feb 2026
