Vingroup Science and Technology Scholarship for Overseas PhD Study (Vietnam)

The Vingroup Science and Technology Scholarship Program funds Vietnamese citizens to pursue doctoral degrees at top universities abroad. Established by Vingroup in 2019 and administered by VinUniversity, it exists to build Vietnam’s capacity in science and technology by sending its strongest graduates overseas and bringing them back. Applications for the previous cohort opened on 1 December and closed on 15 April, and the programme runs on that annual cycle.

The funding is comprehensive: full tuition and miscellaneous academic costs, plus a living stipend for the full duration of the programme, co-financed with the scholar’s host university. That co-financing structure is what lets the scheme place scholars at institutions like Imperial College London, where the joint Imperial-Vingroup award adds a research consumables allowance on top. Scholars also join the Vingroup Scholars Network for professional development and connections.

One structural detail catches out applicants who treat this like other scholarships. You must apply for the Vingroup Scholarship before applying to your PhD programmes abroad, not after receiving offers. You also cannot pick freely: Vingroup publishes a list of targeted universities and pre-approved fields, and applications outside them are not considered. Supported areas centre on computer science and information systems, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, biological sciences and materials sciences.

Eligibility is Vietnamese citizens, in Vietnam or overseas, under 35 by the PhD start date, with at least a bachelor’s degree and an undergraduate GPA of 8 out of 10 or equivalent. Final-year undergraduates may apply provided they graduate before the doctorate begins, and no prior work experience is required. Note that from the 2026 cohort the programme funds doctoral degrees only, so master’s applicants who saw older listings should not plan around this. The selection process is free of charge and online only, with interviews for shortlisted candidates from late April to early May and results by mid-May. Motivation to contribute to Vietnam after graduation is a genuine assessed criterion rather than a formality, so treat that section of the application seriously.

• You must be a Vietnamese citizen, whether currently living in Vietnam or overseas.
• You must be under 35 years of age by the start date of the PhD programme.
• You must hold at least a bachelor's degree, or be in the final year of undergraduate study, in a relevant field. Final-year students may apply provided they graduate before the doctoral programme begins.
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 8 out of 10, or the equivalent, is required.
• From the 2026 cohort onward the programme funds doctoral degrees only. Master's applicants are no longer eligible.
• You must apply to universities on Vingroup's list of targeted institutions and within its pre-approved fields of study. Applications to other universities are not considered.
• Supported fields centre on science and technology, including computer science and information systems, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, biological sciences and materials sciences.
• You must demonstrate strong motivation to contribute to Vietnam after graduating, which the programme treats as a substantive criterion. No prior work experience is required.

• Full tuition fees and miscellaneous academic costs at your overseas host university.
• A living stipend for the full duration of the doctoral programme, so the award covers the whole degree rather than a first year.
• Co-financing with the host university, which is what allows the programme to place scholars at institutions such as Imperial College London on schemes with additional research allowances.
• Membership of the Vingroup Scholars Network, with access to professional development and networking.
• A clear pathway to top international universities that would otherwise be financially closed to most Vietnamese applicants.
• The application and selection process is explicitly open, competitive, transparent and free of charge, with online applications only.
• Some partner routes add their own benefits. The Imperial College London scheme, for example, includes an additional research consumables allowance.
• A programme running since 2019 with a specific national mission, so scholars join a cohort rather than receiving an isolated grant.

• Online application through the Vingroup Scholarship portal hosted by VinUniversity. Only online applications are accepted.
• Bachelor's degree certificate and academic transcripts showing a GPA of at least 8 out of 10 or equivalent.
• For final-year students, evidence that you will graduate before the doctoral programme begins.
• Research statement or study plan within the programme's supported fields.
• Curriculum vitae covering academic and any research background.
• Statement of motivation to return and contribute to Vietnam after graduation.
• Letters of recommendation as specified in the current cycle's requirements.
• English language proficiency evidence as required by your target universities.

• Understand the ordering, because it is the reverse of what most scholarships require. You must apply for the Vingroup Scholarship before applying to your desired PhD programmes abroad.
• Check Vingroup's list of targeted universities and pre-approved fields first, since applications outside them are not considered no matter how strong.
• Watch the portal from around December, as the previous cycle opened at 12:00 Vietnam time on 1 December and ran to the April deadline.
• Submit the online application by 6:00 PM Vietnam time on the closing date. Applications are online only and there is no fee.
• Give the motivation-to-return element real weight. The programme exists to build Vietnam's science and technology capacity, and that intent is assessed rather than assumed.
• Shortlisted candidates are invited to interviews, held in the previous cycle from late April to early May, with results by mid-May.
• Once selected, proceed with applications to your target universities, coordinating with Vingroup since the award is co-financed with the host institution.
• If you are aiming at a specific university, check whether it runs a named joint scheme with Vingroup, as some carry extra benefits and their own parallel deadlines.