The Korea Times is accepting applications for the 15th Global Korea Awards, which recognize young people from multicultural and global backgrounds in Korea and promote greater understanding and respect for diversity. Applications are open until Oct. 20, 2026.
The awards are designed to honor and support the dreams and passion of talented youth from multicultural backgrounds. Since 2025, the awards have expanded their eligibility to include university students to discover and celebrate a wider generation of global talent.
The Minister of Gender Equality and Family Award will be presented to the most outstanding individual with a prize of 3million won, while other winners will also receive a certificate and prize money.
Categories
Eligibility
- Children from multicultural families:
Students with one foreign-born parent or raised in a family with diverse cultural backgrounds. - Children of immigrants:
Students whose parents have immigrated from abroad.
Applicants must be students from multicultural or immigrant backgrounds who have resided in Korea for more than three years, including elementary, middle, high school and university students nationwide.
How to apply
- Elementary, middle and high school student category
Nominations by teachers, heads of government agencies or local governments, public institutions, social welfare organizations or foreign embassies. - University student category
Application through personal statement and other required documents (a letter of recommendation is not necessary)
Privileges of awardees
- Invitation to a winners’ roundtable with the Minister of Gender Equality and Family
- Participation in a mentor–mentee program with past awardees
Schedule
- Application deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026
- Announcement of winners: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026
- Award ceremony: December 2026 (exact date to be announced later)
Please download the application form and send it to globalkoreatimes@gmail.com or the newspaper’s office (14F, Greits Sungnye, 17 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul).
For further information, call (02) 724-2869.
Host
Sponsors
The Korean Association for Multicultural Education, Asian Friends, Seoul YMCA, Woongjin Foundation, Korea Cultural Diversity Organization, Philippine Mango Scholarship Committee
Download files
- Recommendation Letter Form (School student)
- Recommendation Letter Form (University student)
