This study presents a model-based gain scheduling strategy for PI-based EGR controllers. The air-to-fuel ratio is used as an indirect measurement of the EGR rate. In order to cope with the nonlinearity and parameter varying characteristics of the EGR system, we proposed a static gain model of the EGR system using a new scheduling parameter. With the 810 steady-state measurements, the static gain model achieved 0.94 of R-squared value. Based on the static gain of the EGR system, the PI gains were robustly designed using quantitative feedback theory. Consequently, the gains of the PI controller are scheduled according to the static gain parameter of the EGR path in runtime. The proposed model-based gain scheduling strategy was validated through various operating conditions of engine experiments such as setpoint step responses and disturbance rejections.