- Introduction
The Nagao Environment Foundation (NEF) is a Japanese non-governmental organization established in 1989, with the mission of promoting nature conservation in developing countries. Since 1995, the NEF has selected the Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies – Vietnam National University Hanoi as its sole representative agency in Vietnam. The NEF provides financial support to postgraduate students of higher education institutions nationwide who are pursuing Master’s programs in nature conservation, biodiversity, biology, ecology, forestry, agriculture, Earth and environmental sciences. This support enables postgraduate students to conduct scientific research or complete their graduation theses.
- Nagao Scholarship Recipients:
Candidates for the Nagao Scholarship must meet all three of the following conditions:
– Be a Vietnamese citizen;
– Be a graduate student studying or newly admitted to a master’s program at a university, in majors related to nature conservation, biodiversity, biology, ecology, forestry, agriculture, Earth and environmental sciences, or other majors serving the goal of conservation and/or sustainable development;
– Have a scientific research topic related to nature conservation, biodiversity, biology, ecology, forestry, agriculture, Earth and environmental sciences.
In addition, candidates from ethnic minorities or disadvantaged backgrounds will be given priority consideration.
Number of scholarships: 100 (50 new scholarships; 50 scholarships for candidates receiving the scholarship for the second time when meeting all requirements of the Fund)
- Scholarship review and awarding process:
For candidates applying for the scholarship for the first time:
– Candidates submit their application to the Nagao Scholarship Fund Executive Board according to the regulations and instructions in Section 4 below;
– The Nagao Scholarship Review Board of the Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies holds a meeting to evaluate the application to select candidates with the best academic achievements and research outlines for consideration for the scholarship.
– The scholarship will be awarded in 2 instalments over 2 years (academic years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027);
– Graduate students will receive the scholarship for the first time after the Nagao Scholarship Review Board selects the application and is approved by the NEF, Japan.
For candidates applying for the scholarship for the second time:
– Graduate students must report their study results and research project progress as required by the NEF Foundation, Japan.
– The Nagao Scholarship Review Board and the NEF Foundation, Japan, evaluate the study results and research project progress of the Graduate students to decide whether to continue granting the second scholarship (academic year 2025-2026) to the Graduate students.
– Graduate students will only receive the second scholarship after submitting a complete report on the research project results according to the research outline, with guaranteed quality and approved by the Nagao Scholarship Review Board and the NEF Foundation.
- Scholarship application documents
Candidates prepare 01 hard copy of the application for the Nagao Scholarship, including the following documents:
- For candidates applying for the scholarship for the first time:
– Scholarship application (01 English copy and 01 Vietnamese copy) according to Form No. 1 posted on the website: http://www.cres.edu.vn.
– Research outline (in Vietnamese). Candidates can refer to the Guidelines for writing a research outline (Form No. 2) posted on the website: http://www.cres.edu.vn.
Note: The form and content of the cover page are mandatory for the Research Outline; the content of the Research Outline can be adjusted to suit each candidate’s research topic.
– Transcript of subjects/courses of the 2nd year Master’s students with confirmation from the training institution (transcript includes subjects/courses with scores, subjects/courses studied but without scores); or entrance exam/admission results of the admitted Master’s students with confirmation from the training institution.
– 02 letters of recommendation (in English) from two scientists guiding the research topic, project consultants or lecturers teaching at higher education institutions.
– Photocopy of ID card with the signature of the candidate.
- For candidates applying for the second time:
– 01 Report on study results and research progress as required by the NEF Foundation, Japan.
Before submitting the hard copy application, candidates must enter information online on the system via the link below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/152glMSW_GKgFdkxjumjMaVoPIVO2T1b8ALGriH3Fs48/edit
- Application Deadline:
Application Deadline: before 5:00 PM, October 31, 2025. For candidates sending their applications by post, the application deadline is based on the postmark date.
The Nagao Scholarship Review Board will only consider applications submitted on time and with all the required components as specified in Section 4. The results of the Nagao Scholarship review will be announced on the website of the Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies. Unselected applications will not be returned to candidates.
Application submission location:
Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies – Vietnam National University Hanoi (VNU-CRES)
Address: No. 19 Le Thanh Tong, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi
Tel: 02438253506; Email: cres@vnu.edu.vn
Application Recipient: Dr. Tran Thi Hang, General Management Department, Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies.
Tel: 0975613825; Email: hangtranytdp@gmail.com
The Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Studies informs higher education institutions to inform eligible graduate students to register widely.
With sincere regards./.
Download a copy of the Official Notice in detail here.
Official sample forms for scholarship application: