Applications Open for Civil Servants for 15 KOICA Scholarships to Study in South Korea

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development has opened applications for the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Scholarship Fellowship Programme 2027, offering 15 fully funded postgraduate scholarships for Maldivian civil servants to pursue higher education in South Korea.

The programme offers 11 master’s and four doctoral scholarship opportunities across a range of fields, including e-government, public management, economic development, climate change, health policy, agriculture, fisheries, artificial intelligence, infectious disease control and digital health.

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Participating universities include Handong Global University, Sungkyunkwan University, KDI School of Public Policy and Management, Incheon University, Yonsei University, Kyungpook National University, Pukyong National University and Seoul National University.

To be eligible for a master’s scholarship, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, have at least two years of work experience, currently be employed in the civil service, and be under the age of 40 as of 6 July, 2026. PhD applicants must hold a relevant master’s degree and have at least three years of post-master’s work experience while meeting the same age and employment requirements.

Applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency with a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score above 570 or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score of at least 6.0, and satisfy any additional admission requirements set by the respective universities.

The ministry said applicants who have previously received student loans through the ministry or the Department of Higher Education may apply, provided they are up to date with their loan repayments. Those already nominated for another scholarship are not eligible for nomination under the KOICA programme.

Applications must be submitted online through the government’s Kuri portal by 1:30 pm tomorrow. Applicants are required to submit educational certificates and transcripts, proof of employment and work experience, a no-objection letter from their employer, a completed KOICA application form, and other supporting documents specified in the scholarship guidelines.

Final selection of successful candidates will be made by the scholarship organising body following submission of nominations by the ministry.