Doctoral Degree Program in Smart-City Management and Technology

Benefits & funding

• Full university tuition.
• One round-trip economy airfare by the shortest route.
• Settlement support and dormitory accommodation.
• The 2024 fellows guide lists a monthly allowance of KRW 999,000 while the participant is in South Korea.
• National Health Insurance and private medical insurance support.
• The 2024 fellows guide lists a KRW 600,000 completion grant for doctoral fellows.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be citizens of countries designated by KOICA for the relevant cycle; the list changes and is provided through KOICA overseas offices or Korean embassies.
• Applicants must be government officials and receive an official nomination from their government.
• Doctoral applicants must have successfully completed a KOICA Master’s Degree Program as KOICA scholarship fellows.
• Doctoral applicants must not have received foreign assistance for another doctoral scholarship program.
• Applicants must be in good mental and physical health and have strong spoken and written English.
• Applicants must meet the receiving institution’s admission requirements and submit all required documents.
• Being under 40 is a preference, not a hard eligibility gate.

Application process

1. 1
   Confirm that the course is offered in the current cycle with the local KOICA office or Korean embassy and obtain the cycle-specific guideline and country list.
2. 2
   Secure the required government nomination and prepare the KOICA forms, institutional documents, and document checklist.
3. 3
   Submit the KOICA package to the responsible KOICA office or Korean embassy and attend the local interview.
4. 4
   If shortlisted, submit the university package, complete document screening and a local medical check, and send originals as instructed.
5. 5
   Attend the university interview and any institution-specific written examination.
6. 6
   Successful applicants complete visa, vaccination, entry, and final medical procedures before orientation and enrollment.

Program timeline

1. KOICA overseas office or Korean embassy screening and local interview.

   March, historical cycle

2. University screening, medical check, original documents, and interview or examination.

   April to June, historical cycle

3. Admission notification, visa preparation, and required vaccinations.

   July, historical cycle

4. Entry to South Korea, final medical check, orientation, and semester start.

   August, historical cycle

5. Next cycle

   No official reopening date has been announced.