2026 AATK Dongsung Travel Awards (NEW)

Dear AATK members,

We are pleased to announce the 2026 AATK Dongsung Travel Awards, established with the generous support of the Dongsung Academy Foundation, to support full-time Korean language educators’ attendance at the AATK Annual Conference and Workshop.

This award provides financial assistance to full-time Korean language teachers and faculty (K–16) in the United States and Canada, including elementary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions. The primary goal of this award is to support educators who do not have access to institutional travel funding and would otherwise face financial barriers to attending the AATK conference.

Each award provides up to $700 to support travel and conference registration expenses on a reimbursement basis. Four awards per year will be granted.

Graduate students and graduate teaching assistants are not eligible for this award and should instead apply for the AATK Graduate Student Travel Awards. Part-time instructors and adjunct faculty are encouraged to apply for the AATK Professional Development Awards.

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Be a current regular member of AATK at the time of application
2. Be a full-time Korean language teacher or faculty member (K–16) in the U.S. or Canada
3. Demonstrate lack of institutional travel support from their home institution
4. Priority will be given to applicants who are
   • first-time attendees of the AATK conference, and/or
   • presenting or chairing a session at the conference
5. Award recipients must attend the conference; failure to attend will result in forfeiture of the award

Guideline

Those interested in applying for the AATK Dongsung Travel Awards need to submit:

(1) AATK Dongsung Travel Awards Application [https://forms.gle/897u7QH2wFPf3SsY6] 

(2) Curriculum Vitae

(3) Verification letter of affiliation and part-time status by the coordinator/director of the program or department chair 

The application materials should be sent via e-mail attachment to Dr. Bumyong Choi, the Executive Secretary, at executivesecretary@aatk.org and bumyongchoi@emory.edu by May 3rd, 2026.

Applications will be evaluated by a special review board selected by the American Association of Teachers of Korean, which has no professional or personal connections to applicants.

The result will be notified no later than May 5, 2026.

Review Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following:

1. Contribution to the conference
   • Participation as a presenter, panelist, or session chair
2. Professional development impact
   • The extent to which conference participation will contribute to the applicant’s teaching, research, and professional growth
   • The applicant’s plan to apply and share acquired knowledge with colleagues or their institution
3. Financial need
   • Demonstrated lack of institutional support and need for external funding
4. Commitment to Korean language education
   • Evidence of sustained engagement in the field
   • Demonstrated goals for continued professional contribution and development

Applications will be evaluated by a special review board selected by the American Association of Teachers of Korean, which has no professional or personal connections to applicants. 

Timeline

• Application Deadline: May 3, 2026
• Notification of Results: By May 10, 2026

Bumyong Choi

Executive Secretary, AATK