Chung Mong-Koo International Affairs Fellowship in the Republic of Korea
The Chung Mong-Koo International Affairs Fellowship in the Republic of Korea (IAF in the Republic of Korea), sponsored by Hyundai Motor Group, seeks to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between rising generations of leaders in the United States and the Republic of Korea. This transformational program enables mid-career professionals to spend three to twelve months conducting research in the Republic of Korea, developing a new professional network, and contributing to public dialogue on issues shaping the U.S.-Republic of Korea relationship. Prior experience working in or writing about the Republic of Korea is not required.
Fellowship Award
The fellowship runs between three and twelve months. The program awards a monthly stipend of $10,000. Fellows are considered independent contractors rather than employees of CFR and are not eligible for employment benefits, including health insurance. No indirect costs can be deducted from the stipend.
CFR assists fellows in finding a host organization that matches their proposed work in the Republic of Korea. All placements are made at the discretion of the host institution. CFR cannot guarantee placement at any specific agency or organization. The fellowship will be a full-time, in-person experience. Fellows should expect to work on-site with their host organization in the Republic of Korea at least four days per week.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
- Applicants must be mid-career professionals.
- Applicants must have a strong record of professional achievement.
- Applicants must have an interest in U.S.-Republic of Korea relations.
- Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
- Applicants must have a U.S. passport valid through six months after the fellowship end date.
The IAF in the Republic of Korea program does not fund pre- or postdoctoral research, work toward a degree, or the completion of projects on which substantial progress has been made before the fellowship begins. The program is meant to be a transformational experience that enables awardees to develop new skills, pursue new avenues of research, or otherwise take a significant step in their career development. Although the program is intended primarily for those without experience in the Republic of Korea, applicants with experience in the Republic of Korea will be considered if they can demonstrate that the fellowship would add a significant new dimension to their career. Knowledge of the Korean language is not a requirement for the fellowship.
The U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance, forged through war, remains a lynchpin of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The Republic of Korea is America’s sixth-largest trading partner and a critical partner in artificial intelligence and defense industrial cooperation. As the region contends with a more powerful and assertive China and a North Korea with growing nuclear and conventional arsenals, it is critical to learn about how the Republic of Korea is contending with these challenges and what this means for the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the program’s eligibility requirements can apply online in fall 2026 for the 2027–28 fellowship cycle. Awardees will be notified by in spring 2027.
To apply, you will need to submit the following:
- Basic biographical, educational, and employment information
- Project proposal and proposed placements
- Two letters of support
Selection Process
Selection as an IAF in the Republic of Korea is based on the following criteria:
- Scholarly qualifications and/or professional experience
- The merits and feasibility of a research project that deals with some aspect of U.S.-Republic of Korea relations
- Character and personal qualities conducive to promoting cross-cultural communication and cooperation
- The contribution the fellowship will make to the applicant’s career development
The selection process is highly competitive. A selection committee reviews all applications and selects the most promising applicants for interviews. CFR awards one to two fellowships each year. A strong preference is given to candidates who have never received a CFR fellowship.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact [email protected]