VEF welcomes Fellowship applications from all interested and qualified candidates with educational and/or professional experience related to one of the VEF-supported fields of study. A Vietnamese national can apply for a VEF Fellowship under either of the following processes:

PROCESS A:

The applicant applies online at the VEF website through a nationwide competitive process conducted by VEF with the support of the U.S. National Academies (NA). As a condition to apply, the applicant does not need to have already been admitted to a U.S. university. This process involves an qualifications screening, culminating with an oral exam conducted in Vietnam by leading American scientists invited by the NA, who make final selection recommendations to VEF; or

PROCESS B:

The applicant on his or her personal initiative gains admission to a leading U.S. graduate program and applies online at the VEF website. After an initial qualification screening, the candidates' files will be reviewed by the NA for selection to the interview round. Final candidates are interviewed by phone by NA and senior VEF staff.

In both cases, fellowship award decisions will be made by the VEF Board of Directors. All applicants will be considered based on their past academic performance, intellectual capability, and scientific potential. The application periods are announced on the VEF website, which are typically as follows: Process A is two years in advance of the intended Fall beginning of graduate school; and Process B occurs in the early spring in advance of the intended Fall beginning date.