PhD candidates receive over 500 million VND in support

PhD candidates at Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City can receive up to 560 million VND if they commit to full-time study and research and meet academic requirements.

Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM) announced a postgraduate training support program linked to scientific research and innovation for the 2026-2030 period on the afternoon of 17/5.

Under the program, students will receive maximum support of 560 million VND for PhD programs and 160 million VND for master's programs, based on a standard 2-4 year framework. Payments will be disbursed monthly or as agreed.

In return, participants must commit to full-time study and research, graduate on time, and meet academic requirements. Additionally, their theses and dissertations must be linked to registered scientific and technological tasks.

VNUHCM will publicize its list of scientific and technological tasks and admission needs. If admitted, students will become members of research teams, directly carrying out projects.

The universities and institutes under VNUHCM will recruit, coordinate training, and manage students. In cases of commitment violation, withdrawal, or forced dismissal, both the student and the university must reimburse the funding.

VNUHCM leadership considers this a breakthrough step, aimed at attracting and increasing the proportion of postgraduate students to at least 30% of the total student body, 40% of whom will be PhD candidates.

Additionally, the program promotes scientific and technological research tasks and innovation, contributing to an increase in the quantity and quality of international publications, patents, and the commercialization of research products.

Currently, the VNUHCM system has about 10,000 postgraduate students, accounting for 10% of its total student body. The university aims to publish 4,550 international articles annually in the Scopus database.

VNUHCM's support level is among the highest currently available. In March, Hanoi University of Science and Technology announced tuition fee waivers for all PhD candidates, equivalent to 80-100 million VND for 3-4 years of study. Several other universities offer similar support, including living allowances and stipends for PhD candidates, such as University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese-German University, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Phenikaa University, and University of Engineering and Technology - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.