All funding is sponsored by the Committee on Korean Studies, unless otherwise noted.


Korean Studies Dissertation Fellowship

Eligibility:  University of Chicago legacy Ph.D. candidates (i.e., 8th year and above in 2024-2025 who are not under the University's new Ph.D. student funding model) writing dissertations on topics related to Korean studies.  Students must be admitted to candidacy before the start of the fellowship (Autumn Quarter).  In exceptional cases, CEAS will consider applications from University of Chicago Ph.D. students under the University's new funding model (such students should consult CEAS before applying).
Deadline:  FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2024 by 3:00 PM
Description:  This fellowship provides funds for a year of dissertation work on a topic relating to Korean studies.  Research for the dissertation must be completed, and priority is given to those who have a chapter or two completed.  Students who have been admitted to candidacy may apply in the spring for funding that will begin the following autumn.
Terms:  This fellowship provides a stipend (up to $33,000 in 2024-2025), plus student health insurance, tuition, and student service fees over the course of three quarters in one academic year (i.e., autumn, winter and spring quarters).  Even though this fellowship is NOT a dissertation completion fellowship with a graduate mandate, awardees are only eligible for this fellowship once, except in the case of compelling circumstances.

It is strongly recommended that students apply simultaneously for the CEAS Korean Studies Dissertation Fellowship and for other grants and fellowships (both internal and external to the University of Chicago) and include this information in their CEAS application; in case of success, students are expected to inform CEAS of the amount of the award at their earliest convenience as CEAS may need to modify the award accordingly.

Because the intent behind this fellowship is to enable students to devote their full attention and effort to completion of their dissertation, these terms do not allow students to engage in any remunerative activity, on or off campus, or to pursue course work.  The sole exception, which must be approved by the Committee, is that students may undertake a modest teaching assignment in the second half of the academic year when it is clear that teaching in the winter or spring will not delay completion of the degree. Requests to undertake a teaching assignment must be made in writing to the Chair of the Committee on Korean Studies.

Application Requirements:
The following should be uploaded in PDF format as part of your online application, with the exception of letters of recommendation:

  • Statement of purpose discussing the work you plan to do on your dissertation during the year.  Limit two pages. Be sure to include information on other internal and external funding sources.
  • A statement from your department indicating that you have been admitted to Ph.D. candidacy.
  • Dissertation proposal.
  • One complete dissertation chapter.
  • Two letters of recommendation.

Please note: upon submitting the online application, the faculty members you specify will receive an email with directions to submit a letter of recommendation. This email is intended as a courtesy reminder; you should be in contact with your professors regarding a letter of recommendation prior to your submission.

APPLY ONLINE.  Applications submitted by email or hardcopy are not accepted.


Korean Studies Dissertation Research Grant

Eligibility: University of Chicago graduate students engaged in dissertation research related to Korea (i.e., students are ABD after passing qualifying exams and defending their dissertation proposal).
Deadline: FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2024 by 3:00 PM
Description: This award is for up to $5,000 and supports dissertation research in Korean studies. Typically, funds are used to finance summer research in the target country but can also be utilized throughout the academic year.  Applications proposing research including U.S. domestic travel will also be considered. The grant funds are intended to enable University of Chicago graduate students to conduct additional field research (for example, visit key archives and collections; meet with scholars, practitioners, and advisers to conduct interviews, ethnographies, and/or surveys in Asia).

CEAS will consider applications from students who have previously received CEAS Dissertation Research Grants (DRG) on a case-by-case basis. Applicants will need to 1) explain why the research did not occur during previous CEAS DRG; 2) demonstrate due diligence in seeking other internal and external funding; and 3) provide a detailed proposal of what archives or field work will be undertaken, a proposed budget, and a letter of recommendation from the Chair of their dissertation committee OR an advising faculty member.

Allowable expenses include economy airfare, local travel, accommodations, meals and up to $500 for research materials.

Application Requirements:
The following should be uploaded with your online application in PDF format, with the exception of the project budget and letters of recommendation:

  • A statement of how the proposed use of the grant furthers your larger research goals. (Please include information in your application about pending internal and external funding applications.  If the application is for a second CEAS PDRG, be sure to explain why the research did not occur during the first CEAS grant.)
  • A project budget.
  • One letter of recommendation.  (If the application is for a second CEAS PDRG, this letter of recommendation must be from the Chair of your dissertation committee OR an advising faculty member.)

Please note: upon submitting the online application, the faculty member you specify will receive an email with directions to submit a letter of recommendation.  This email is intended as a courtesy reminder; you should be in contact with your professor regarding a letter of recommendation prior to your submission.

APPLY ONLINE Applications submitted by email or hardcopy are not accepted.


Korean Studies Pre-Dissertation Research Grant

Eligibility:  University of Chicago graduate students engaged in pre-dissertation research.
Deadline:  FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2024 by 3:00 PM
Description:  This award is for up to $4,000 and supports pre-dissertation research in Korean Studies. Typically, funds are used to finance summer research in the target country. The funds are intended to enable University of Chicago graduate students to lay the foundations for their research plans (for example, to survey holdings in archives, or to identify and meet with scholars and advisers with whom a student plans to work in Asia).  Normally, a student is eligible for this grant only once during his/her/their graduate school career.

CEAS will consider making an exception for applications from students for a second CEAS Pre-Dissertation Research Grant (PDRG) on a case-by-case basis.  Applicants will need to 1) explain why the research did not occur during the first CEAS PDRG; 2) demonstrate due diligence in seeking other internal and external funding; and 3) provide a detailed proposal of what archives or field work will be undertaken, a proposed budget, and a letter of recommendation from the Chair of their dissertation committee OR an advising faculty member.

Allowable expenses include economy airfare, local travel, accommodations, meals and up to $500 for research materials. 

Application Requirements:
The following should be uploaded with your online application in PDF format, with the exception of the project budget and letters of recommendation:

  • A statement of how the proposed use of the grant furthers your larger research goals.  (Please include information in your application about pending internal and external funding applications. If the application is for a second CEAS PDRG, be sure to explain why the research did not occur during the first CEAS grant.)
  • A project budget.
  • One letter of recommendation.  (If the application is for a second CEAS PDRG, this letter of recommendation must be from the Chair of your dissertation committee OR an advising faculty member.)

Please note: upon submitting the online application, the faculty member you specify will receive an email with directions to submit a letter of recommendation.  This email is intended as a courtesy reminder; you should be in contact with your professor regarding a letter of recommendation prior to your submission.

APPLY ONLINEApplications submitted by email or hardcopy are not accepted.


Conference and Workshop Travel Grant: Korean Studies

Eligibility:  University of Chicago graduate students traveling to present papers at conferences OR actively participate in a specialized workshop.
Deadline:  Rolling applications each academic year, but MUST be submitted at least one month prior to conference or workshop travel.
Contact:  Chair of the CEAS Committee on Korean Studies
Description: This grant provides modest support for students traveling outside the Chicago metropolitan area to present a paper at a conference OR actively participate in a specialized workshop that they have been invited to attend on a topic relating to Korean studies.  Specialized workshops are those include an application process, preparation (e.g., pre-readings), and active participation during the event.  A limited number of grants are available each year. Students may apply for and receive this grant more than once in an academic year, but such awards are pending availability of Committee funding. If approved for the grant, original receipts and reimbursement paperwork requests MUST be submitted within 30 days of returning from travel. No exceptions.

APPLY ONLINE.  Applications submitted by email or hardcopy are not accepted.  This application MUST be submitted at least a month before your planned travel.

Post Award: How to Submit a Reimbursement Request


CEAS Professional Training Grant in East Asian Studies

Eligibility: University of Chicgao graduate students in PhD and MA programs (program duration of 2 years or longer) focusing on Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and/or East Asian transregional studies.
Deadline: FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2024 by 3:00 PM
Description: The CEAS Professional Training Grant in East Asian Studies funds participation in formal programs, organized courses, and workshops that offer training in specific skills that are essential to the student's dissertation/thesis research or their professional profile and not available at the University of Chicago. The grant is normally awarded for advanced language training (3rd year and beyond; modern and classical/literary) and/or pedagogy. The Committee will also consider grant applications for workshops and courses that focus on specific skill-building that is crucial to a student's overall course of study and professional development. Students must research, select, and apply directly to the class or program they feel best fits their research needs. Normally for language study, applicants must have been enrolled in language courses at UChicago during the preceding year, or they must explain the extenuating circumstances. Students must also demonstrate due diligence in seeking both internal UChicago and external funding opportunities.

Terms: Fundable expenses include tuition, housing, and travel expenses (e.g., round trip economy class airfare, train passes, etc.).  Non-allowable expenses include meals, books, miscellaneous expenses, and other materials.

Application Requirements: The following should be uploaded in PDF format as part of your online application, with the exception of the project budget and letters of recommendation:

  • A letter of application that describes the training sought and its justification detailing how it is imperative for your course of study and professional development. 
  • Unofficial transcript
  • A letter of acceptance from the workshop or program you plan to attend. 
  • A project Budget. 
  • Proof of enrollment in relevant EA language courses during the academic year (if applicable)
  • One letter of recommendation. 

Application Requirements: upon submitting the online application, the faculty member you specify will receive an email with directtions to submit a letter of recommendation.  This email is intended as a courtesy reminder; you should be in contact with your professor rearding a letter of recommendation prior to your submission. 

APPLY ONLINE Applications submitted by email or hardcopy are not accepted. 


CEAS Copy Editing Grant

Eligibility:  University of Chicago graduate students preparing an East Asian studies-related 1) paper/manuscript for final submission to a publication OR 2) dissertation for final submission to a degree program.
Deadline:  ROLLING 
Description:  This award is up to $500 and supports the costs of hiring a professional copy editor to help students with final submission of an East Asian studies-related paper/manuscript to a publication OR final submission of an East Asian studies-related dissertation to a University of Chicago degree program.  Normally, a student is eligible for this grant only once during his/her/their graduate school career.  Students may apply for an additional award of up to $500 pending annual funding availability.

Application Requirements:
The following should be uploaded with your online application in PDF format, with the exception of the letter of recommendation: 

  • A draft of the relevant paper/manuscript and information about forthcoming publication (including confirmation/agreement with publisher) OR the relevant draft chapter(s) of dissertation.
  • One letter of recommendation from advisor.
  • Copy of invoice from professional copy editor detailing costs for service. 

Please note: upon submitting the online application, the faculty member you specify will receive an email with directions to submit a letter of recommendation.  This email is intended as a courtesy reminder; you should be in contact with your professor regarding a letter of recommendation prior to your submission. 

APPLY ONLINE Applications submitted by email or hardcopy are not accepted.