The U.S. Mission in Vietnam is pleased to announce the Fulbright Vietnamese Student Scholarship Program for academic year 2019-2020. Established in 1946 and funded by the U.S. government, the Fulbright Program aims at achieving mutual understanding through academic and cultural exchange. The Fulbright Vietnamese Student Program is a competitive, merit-based scholarship program which recruits and nominates young Vietnamese professionals for Master’s degree programs at U.S. universities. Approximately 20 fully-funded scholarships are granted on an annual basis. Since 1992, more than 600 Vietnamese students have been selected to participate in the Program.

WHAT does the Scholarship provide? Successful candidates will pursue a Master’s degree that begins in the academic year 2019-2020. Fulbright Vietnam will arrange placement at universities in the United States. Successful candidates will receive a full scholarship which covers tuition and fees, monthly stipend, round-trip airfare to the United States, and health insurance.
WHO can apply? Competition is open to people who meet the following criteria:

1. Be a Vietnamese citizen (no dual citizenship)
2. Have at least one undergraduate degree
3. Have at least two years of work experience after graduation by the time of application
4. Have a valid minimum TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS 6.5.

Ineligibility factors

The following persons are ineligible to apply for the Fulbright Vietnamese Student Program:

1. Candidates who already received one Fulbright Student Program grant
2. Candidates who are currently living or studying in the United States
3. Candidates who have earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a U.S. college or university within the last three years
4. Local employees of the U.S. Mission in Vietnam who work for the U.S. Department of State and their immediate dependents are ineligible for grants during the period of their employment and for one year following the termination of employment
5. Candidates who have received any scholarship for graduate study abroad within the past five years, or are scheduled to receive any scholarship for graduate study abroad.

WHICH fields of study are supported?
The Program supports study in most fields of social sciences and humanities, including:

(A brief introduction of each field of study is available here. Please contact the Fulbright office if your desired field of study is not on the list)

HOW to apply?
Please follow these steps to apply for the Program:

Step 1: Download the Application Guidelines and read them carefully before starting your application as Fulbright Vietnam has specific requirements for Vietnamese applicants. Do not refer to the guidelines on the online application system, since it is a generic form for all countries. Failure to comply with the Fulbright Vietnam’s guidelines may make your application “ineligible” for the next rounds of competition.
Step 2: Complete the online application form at: https://iie.embark.com/apply

Please make sure your online application includes:

1. Two essays (study objectives and personal statement)
2. Three letters of recommendation
3. Transcript and degree (for each higher educational institution you list in your application)
4. TOEFL iBT and/or IELTS score reports
5. Curriculum vitae

Deadline for application submission: 5:00PM (Vietnam time), May 15, 2018.
Mailed, emailed and/or faxed applications are not accepted.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Competition is based on academic and professional merits, without regards to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. Preference is given to those without recent experience in the United States. A successful applicant is someone who can:

• Demonstrate a clear and detailed description of the study objectives, and show a clear connection between their study objectives and future goals through a compelling set of essays.
• Have a depth and breadth of work experience in their intended field of study, and a full understanding of the field.
• Demonstrate leadership potential based on participation in academic, extra-curricular, community and professional development activities, and personal attributes.
• Show dedication to Vietnam and potential to make a positive impact upon return
• Contribute to promoting mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Vietnam through educational and cultural exchange activities.
• Be willing to be a cultural ambassador of Vietnam.
• Have demonstrated academic excellence and strong English proficiency

TIMELINE

• January, 2018: Grant announced and application materials available
• May 15, 2018: Deadline for submission of application
• June – July 2018: Application review and semi-final selections
• September 2018: Interviews & selection
• October – November 2018: Finalists (re)take GRE/GMAT/TOEFL iBT
• November – March 2019: Submission of applications to U.S. universities
• April – May 2019: University placements confirmed
• May 2019: Pre-departure orientation
• June – July 2019: Medical check-up and visa application
• July – August 2019: Departure

INFORMATION SESSIONS:
More details will be updated soon.

CONTACT
For further information, please read the Frequently Asked Questions or contact Ms. Nguyen Hanh, the Program Assistant at (04) 3850-5089 or email: [email protected].