South Korea Seoul National University SNU Global EDGE Fellowship Program Fall 2025 (Fully Funded)

Seoul National University (SNU), one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea, has officially announced the Global EDGE Fellowship Program for Fall 2025. As part of the Brain Korea 21 Four (BK21 FOUR) Project, this scholarship is designed to attract outstanding doctoral students from around the world and provide them with full financial support for advanced research and academic excellence.

About the SNU Global EDGE Fellowship

The SNU Global EDGE Fellowship is a fully funded PhD scholarship that supports new doctoral students and integrated master’s-PhD students who have advanced to the doctoral stage in the 1st or 2nd semester of 2025. The fellowship focuses on students whose departments and research projects are supported under the BK21 Four Project, a national initiative to strengthen graduate education and research capacity in South Korea.

This program nurtures global talent by offering not only full tuition coverage but also a generous monthly stipend, ensuring scholars can fully dedicate themselves to research and academic growth at SNU.

Degree Level

Available Subjects

All subjects

Benefits

The Global EDGE Fellowship provides fully funded support for selected candidates, including:

Full tuition fee coverage
Monthly stipend of KRW 1,800,000
Funding support for up to 4 semesters (within the normative study period)

Additional Requirements:

Scholars must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.3 throughout the scholarship period.
Continued participation in BK21 Four Project activities is mandatory to retain eligibility.

Scholarship Duration

The fellowship provides support for a maximum of 4 semesters (2 academic years).
Funding is strictly tied to academic performance and active participation in BK21 Four Project research.

Eligible Nationalities

Open to applicants of all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the SNU Global EDGE Fellowship 2025, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Admission Requirement: Must be a new doctoral student admitted in the 1st or 2nd semester of 2025 OR an integrated master’s & doctoral student who has advanced to the doctoral stage in the 1st or 2nd semester of 2025.
Affiliation: Must be majoring in a department supported by the BK21 Four Project.
Research Participation: Must be actively engaged in research activities funded by the BK21 Four Project.
Funding Restriction: Must not be receiving other scholarships that provide tuition waivers or financial support from another BK21 Four Research Project.

Application Procedure

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents:

Completed Application Form (official format)

Academic transcripts and graduation certificates from both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees

For combined Master’s & Doctorate students: only Bachelor’s documents are required.

Recommendation letter from an SNU professor in the applicant’s department
BK21 Four Project Research Participation Confirmation Documents:

BK21 Four Project Participation Confirmation (official form)
Research Participation Confirmation (downloadable via the SRnD system)

Application Deadline

Submission Deadline to OIA (Office of International Affairs): October 14, 2025 (Tuesday)
Applicants must first submit their documents to their college’s administration office, which will then send the application to OIA via an official document.

Note: It is strongly advised to submit early to allow time for processing at the department and college level.

Selection Process

Document Screening – Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness.
Interviews – Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Final Results – Successful applicants will be announced in October 2025.

Why Choose the SNU Global EDGE Fellowship?

The SNU Global EDGE Fellowship Program 2025 offers international doctoral students a unique chance to study at South Korea’s top-ranked university, with full financial support and access to world-class research facilities. By joining the BK21 Four Project, scholars become part of a dynamic academic community dedicated to cutting-edge research and global collaboration.

This is an exceptional opportunity for highly motivated students who aspire to pursue a fully funded PhD in South Korea.

Final Thoughts

The Seoul National University Global EDGE Fellowship 2025 is one of the most competitive and prestigious doctoral scholarships in Asia. With full tuition coverage, a generous monthly stipend, and world-class research opportunities,

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the SNU Global EDGE Fellowship 2025?

The fellowship is open to new doctoral students admitted in the 1st or 2nd semester of 2025 at SNU, as well as integrated master’s-PhD students who enter the doctoral stage in the same period. Applicants must be part of a department and research project supported by the BK21 Four Project.

What are the main benefits of the scholarship?

Recipients receive full tuition coverage and a monthly stipend of KRW 1,800,000 for up to 4 semesters, provided they maintain a GPA of 3.0/4.3 and remain engaged in the BK21 Four Project.

Can international students apply?

Yes. The fellowship is open to students of all nationalities with no restrictions on undergraduate or graduate institutions, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.

Can I apply if I am already receiving another scholarship?

No. Applicants who are receiving other tuition waivers or BK21 Four Project scholarships are not eligible to apply for the SNU Global EDGE Fellowship.

When is the deadline to apply?

The final submission deadline to the Office of International Affairs (OIA) is October 14, 2025. However, students must submit documents earlier to their college administration office, which will then forward them to OIA.