2026 Overseas Korean Scholarship Guide: Summary of Invitation and Local Scholarship Selection Schedules
Check the current status of the 2026 local and invitation scholarships for overseas Koreans in Russia, CIS, and China, operated by the Overseas Koreans Cooperation Center (OKOCC). Find information on the additional recruitment period ending May 25th and how to apply.
Overseas Koreans Cooperation Center, 2026 Local Scholarship Selection Guide for Russia, CIS, and China (Planned)
The Overseas Koreans Cooperation Center (OKOCC) is preparing to select 2026 Local Scholarship Students to discover outstanding Korean talent in China, following its programs for Russia, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), the US, and Europe.
This notice is typically announced annually around October, and the information below is a 2026 guide based on the 2025 guidelines.
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Curious about other scholarship schedules?
Check out the overall recruitment schedule at a glance in the 2026-2027 Korea Study Scholarship Calendar.
1. Program Purpose and Selection Scale
Goal: To support stable academic pursuits for outstanding overseas Korean students in Russia, CIS, and China, who have unique historical backgrounds, and to cultivate talent that contributes to exchanges between their host countries and the motherland while helping them advance into mainstream society.
Scale: Approximately 200 students in total (approx. 110 from Russia/CIS, 90 from China)
The number of selected students may be adjusted based on the number of applicants, exchange rates, etc.
2. Eligibility and Targets
Basic Eligibility: University or graduate students of Koryoin or ethnic Korean descent currently residing and studying in Russia, CIS regions, or China as of September 2025.
Academic Requirements:
Students in their 2nd–4th year of undergraduate studies or graduate students are eligible.
First-year students who entered in September 2025 are ineligible (due to difficulty in evaluating university grades).
Others:
Students who have previously received this scholarship may apply again.
Those who fail to submit major documents or are expected to graduate within one semester (by February 2026) are excluded from selection.
3. 💰 Scholarship Support Details
Selected students will receive the following annual scholarship per person:
Russia, Kazakhstan, China: US$ 1,200
Other CIS countries: US$ 1,000
4. Selection Criteria and Preferred Qualifications
Mandatory Criteria: Excellent grades in the previous two semesters and qualities that contribute to the mutual development of the Korean community and the relationship between the motherland and the host country.
Preferred Qualifications (applied based on internal criteria):
Descendants of patriots or those who have contributed to the development of the Korean community (proof required).
Proficiency in the Korean language (TOPIK scores obtained after September 2022 are accepted).
Individuals from low-income families (proof required).
Excellence in on-campus/off-campus activities and awards (proof required).
Active participation in Korean community networks, Korean language school activities, or Overseas Koreans Cooperation Center (formerly Overseas Koreans Foundation) projects (proof required).
Detailed and sincere self-introduction (academic plans, post-graduation plans, etc.).
5. Reasons for Exclusion
Candidates may be excluded from selection in the following cases:
Not of Koryoin or ethnic Korean descent (e.g., overseas citizens).
First-year students who entered in September 2025.
Expected graduation within one semester (by February 2026).
GPA in the previous semester is below 70%.
Documents are inaccurate or incomplete (lack of translation/notarization, etc.).
Submission of false documents or evidence.
6. 📝 Application Method and Procedure
Application proceeds in two steps: online submission and document submission.
Filling out the Online Application
Sign up and log in to Korean.net.
Check the current open projects or notices on the main screen.
Click 'Apply' at the bottom of the notice, fill out the form, save, and print.
Document Submission
Sign the printed application by hand.
Refer to the list of required documents below and submit them along with all supporting documents to the Korean diplomatic mission (embassy, consulate general) in your country of residence.
Example for Shanghai: Submit to the Shanghai Consulate General security office, mark 'Consular Department' on the envelope.
7. List of Required Documents
Mandatory Documents:
One scholarship application form: Print after filling out on Korean.net and sign (in Korean or English).
Proof of Koryoin or ethnic Korean status.
Original certificate of enrollment from the university/graduate school.
Original transcript for the last two semesters.
Translated (Korean) and notarized transcript for the last semester.
Optional Documents (if applicable):
Proof of descent from patriots.
Copy of TOPIK certificate (only scores obtained after September 2023 accepted).
Proof of financial hardship.
Proof of campus/extracurricular activities and awards (within the last 3 years).
Proof of participation in Korean community network activities and Center projects.
8. 🗓️ Major Schedules and Selection Process (2026 Update)
Selection schedules for 2026 are either currently in progress or partially closed.
Local Scholarship (Study in Host Country): April 1, 2026 ~ April 30, 2026 (Recruitment Closed)
Invitation Scholarship (Study in Korea - Regular): March 10, 2026 ~ April 10, 2026 (Recruitment Closed)
Invitation Scholarship (Study in Korea - Additional Recruitment): April 21, 2026 ~ May 25, 2026 (Currently in progress!)
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Additional Opportunity for Invitation Scholarship!
Overseas Koreans who wish to enter universities or graduate schools in Korea should not miss the additional recruitment period ending May 25th. Applications can be submitted online via Korean.net (www.korean.net). Results will be announced around August 2026.
9. 📞 Contact Information
To ensure a smooth process, please read the recruitment guidelines thoroughly before inquiring and use email whenever possible.
For application periods, application forms, and document submission: Korean diplomatic mission in your region.
Online system errors: OKOCC system manager.
Scholarship selection and other inquiries: OKOCC local scholarship program manager.
Next Steps
Check out various scholarship and study abroad information for overseas Korean students!
Korean Honor Scholarship (KHS) Eligibility and Selection Guide
A Comprehensive Guide to Scholarships for Studying in Korea (Government/Private/University)
A to Z Guide for Online TOPIK Application and Score Checking
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Why TOPIK is Essential for Overseas Korean Students
When applying to universities or looking for jobs in Korea, TOPIK scores are either a mandatory document or a strong factor for extra points. Specifically, high scores of levels 5–6 are a great help for stable settlement and career development in Korea. Prepare most efficiently with HANISEOUL TOPIK AI.
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