Project 89 Vietnam Government PhD Scholarship

In partnership with the Vietnamese Government’s Project 89, the University of Newcastle supports high‑achieving Vietnamese candidates to undertake doctoral research (PhD) in Australia.

Project 89 is a national program administered by Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MOET). The program aims to strengthen Vietnam’s higher education and research capability by developing future academic leaders.

Through this co‑funded initiative, successful scholars will undertake a full‑time PhD at the University of Newcastle, supported by experienced supervisors in a world-class research training environment.

Scholarship Value

The scholarship is co‑funded by the Vietnamese Government and the University of Newcastle.

Project 89 provides:

• Tuition fee support of up to USD $25,000 per year
• A living allowance of approximately USD $1,120 per month
• Return international airfare and travel allowances
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) of up to USD $1,000 per year

The University of Newcastle provides:  

• A tuition fee top-up scholarship to cover the difference between the Project 89 tuition fee support and the full PhD tuition fee.
• A living allowance top-up, bringing the total stipend in line with the University’s standard HDR stipend rate while studying in Australia. The 2026 stipend rate is $38,938 per year.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of Vietnam
• Meet the University’s PhD admission requirements
• Hold an offer of admission into an approved PhD program at the University of Newcastle
• Be nominated to receive the Project 89 Vietnamese Government scholarship
• Be selected by the University of Newcastle for the tuition fee and living allowance top-up scholarships
• Commence full time enrolment as an onshore international research student in Australia

How to Apply

Step 1: Obtain an Offer of Admission from the University of Newcastle

Applications are open year-round. Submit an application for admission to a PhD program and obtain an Offer of Admission.

For instructions on locating a supervisory team and lodging an application, visit the How to Apply page. When lodging your application in the portal, please select Sponsored as your funding type and enter Project 89 in the Sponsorship Details.

Step 2: Apply for the Project 89 scholarship

Once you have received an Offer of Admission, apply for the Project 89 scholarship through your home institution in Vietnam in line with Project 89 and MOET application processes.

Step 3: Provide the University with your Project 89 sponsorship

Send your Project 89 scholarship letter to Graduate Research. Your eligibility for the University’s top‑up scholarships will be assessed by a University selection panel, which meets monthly. Successful applicants will receive a revised Offer of Admission and Scholarship Offer.

Applicants who do not receive Project 89 or University top‑up scholarships may still be assessed as full‑fee paying research candidates. For further information, please contact the Graduate Research team.