Objectives

‧ To support high-quality research in the humanities and social sciences led by emerging researchers from developing countries

‧ To foster the academic development of scholars who have participated in KOICA fellowship programs 

‧ To encourage the dissemination and practical application of research findings in academic and policy communities

Eligibility of Applicants 

Applicants must meet all of the following all conditions: 

‧ Nationality: Must be a citizen of a developing country

‧ KOICA Fellowship Experience: Must have completed a Master’s or Ph.D. degree through KOICA’s fellowship (training) programs (including graduates) 

‧ Career Stage: Obtained a degree within the past 7 years(≤7yrs); OR Appointed as a full-time faculty member or research staff within the past 3 years(≤3yrs)

‧ Exclusivity: Applicants must NOT be receiving concurrent support from other KOICA-funded programs

Research Fields

‧ Development cooperation policy, strategy, and effectiveness

‧ Global development agendas (e.g., SDGs, climate change, digital development).

‧ Sectoral studies (e.g., education, health, governance, gender, environment).

‧ Partnerships and financing for development

‧ South-South trade, investment, and technology transfer

‧ Promoting social enterprises, startups, and private innovation via ODA

‧ Other related fields in humanities and social sciences with a focus on development cooperation

※ The research topic must provide insights into international development cooperation and ODA.

Grant Size and Duration

‧ Number of Grants: Up to 5 researches

‧ Grant Amount: USD 10,000 - USD 15,000 per research (disbursed in three stages)

 ※ Differential payment may be made based on research performance.

‧ Duration: 17th Nov. 2025 – 16th Nov. 2026 (12 months)

Additional Support and Incentives

‧ Outstanding researchers may be invited to present their research results at the KOICA Development Cooperation Forum

‧ When an article using the research results of this grant program is published in an academic journal (journal indexed in KCI or SCOPUS, or higher-level databases), within one year from the end of the project, KOICA will provide publication fees up to USD 500 (until November 2027)

Deliverables 

‧ Interim Report: 6th April, 2026

‧ Final Research Paper: 16th November, 2026

※ The selecte grantees are require to brief on the progress of the research in a monthly virtual meeting.

Application Process

‧ Application Submission: 1st October - 24th October, 2025

 Applicants must submit the application form, CV, and detailed research proposal

    (template provided: KOICA Research Grant Application Form.docx)

 The application must be submitted via email(qanda@koica.go.kr) in pdf format

 The deadline for receiving applications is 24th October, 2025 (KST / Received after 00:00 will not be considered. No support will be available after 18:00 on the day of the deadline.)

‧ Notification of Results: 6th November, 2025

 The selected grantees will be notified via email on 6th November, 2025 (KST)

‧ Agreement Signing: By 14th November, 2025

Evaluation Process
‧ Each proposal will be reviewed by 4 independent evaluators:

  ‧ 2 reviewers focusing on applicant qualifications and overall research design (40%)

  ‧ 2 reviewers focusing on the proposed research’s academic quality and feasibility (60%)

‧ Scores from each group will be averaged, then combined, and candidates will be selected in order of highest total scores

‧ Proposals that do not include some or all of the sections may be declared inadmissible

‧ Any proposals below 50 will be rejected

Evaluation Criteria

‧ Qualifications of the researcher

‧ Specificity and relevance of the research content and scope

‧ Originality/distinctiveness of the research project

‧ Expected outcomes and potential applications of the research project

‧ Validity of the research design

‧ Evaluation of academic/professional background

‧ Appropriateness of the research implementation and management plan

Agreement

‧ On selection by a research committee and approval by KOICA, a written agreement is made between the grantee and KOICA.

‧ Individual grantees are required to submit an interim report by 6th April 2026 and a final research paper until 16th November 2026 to qanda@koica.go.kr via email.

Funding Disbursement

1st Disbursement  30% Within 30 days after agreement signing

2nd Disbursement  40% Within 30 days after submission of interim report

3rd Disbursement  30% Within 30 days after submission of final research paper

※ In case of failure to submit the progress report and the final research output, funding will be terminated.

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

‧ All intellectual property rights (including copyrights and publication rights) of the research results produced under this program shall belong to KOICA.

‧ Researchers may use the results for academic purposes (e.g., journal publication, conference presentation) with prior notification to KOICA and acknowledgment of KOICA’s support.

‧ Any commercial use, redistribution, or transfer of the research outcomes without KOICA’s prior written approval is strictly prohibited.

‧ KOICA reserves the right to edit, translate, and publish the research outputs for dissemination, policy use, and public communication. Others

‧ All times mentioned above are based on Korean time (KST).

‧ Any disputes arising within this grant program shall be governed by KOICA regulations

‧ Applicants must use the provided template; any other templates may be declared inadmissible.

‧ Applicants must NOT be receiving concurrent support from other KOICA-funded programs, and if it is revealed at any stage that the applicant(s) are receiving other KOICA funding for overlapping period, the grant will be fully reclaimed and the applicant(s) will be disqualified from the program.

‧ Only selected applicants will be required to submit supporting documents (e.g., proof of affiliation, identification, etc.). Failure to submit the required documents within designated time iframe (5 working days) may result in disqualification.

‧ KOICA reserves the right to make final decisions regarding selection and funding.

Contact point 

qanda@koica.go.kr (KOICA Center for ODA Research and Education)