In recognition of the 30th anniversary of U.S.-Vietnam relations, the U.S. Mission to Vietnam has announced the launch of the Fulbright Vietnamese Visiting Student Researcher Program for the academic year 2026-2027. This initiative offers up to five fully-funded scholarships for Vietnamese citizens enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Science and Technology at a Vietnamese institution. The program allows these students to advance their research at a U.S. institution for six to ten months.
The Fulbright program is designed to support Vietnam's ambition to become a regional and global hub for high-tech industries, particularly in semiconductors. It aligns with themes that are expected to shape the next three decades of U.S.-Vietnam relations: education, innovation, and partnership.
Established in 1946 and funded by the U.S. Congress, the Fulbright Program aims to foster mutual understanding through academic and cultural exchanges. The new scholarship is competitive and merit-based, covering tuition fees, round-trip airfare, a monthly stipend, and health insurance.
Applicants must meet specific criteria: they must hold Vietnamese citizenship (dual citizenship is not allowed), reside in Vietnam during the application process, have at least one Master's degree, be enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Science and Technology at a Vietnamese institution without completing their studies before or during their stay in the U.S., and possess a valid English proficiency score or an invitation from a host university waiving this requirement.
Interested candidates should apply online by May 15, 2025 (Vietnam time). A complete application includes an application form, reference letters, diplomas with translations if necessary, proof of English proficiency or an invitation letter from a host university, essays, curriculum vitae, and proof of current enrollment in a Ph.D. program.
Further details are available on the U.S. Mission website.