A scholarship program dedicated to the LGBT community is now open for registration until May 15, with the prize worth up to VND20 million, the organizer said in a press release issued on March 17.

A performance by Jessica Drag Queen, a popular dancing band among the Ho Chi Minh City LGBT community, at Viet Pride 2014 held on July 20, 2014 at Ho Chi Minh City’s Labor Culture House in District 1. (Photo: Binh Minh)

Established in 2013, Viet Pride Scholarship (VPS) is the first official scholarship program that serves the LGBT community in Viet Nam as a source of pride and empowerment for people who face difficulties because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The scholarship program, whose application period lasts from January 1 to May 15, aims at assisting disadvantaged LGBT youths in acquiring vocational training or undergraduate education lasting from 6 months to 1 year.

This year, VPS will focus on two groups that are the most vulnerable yet have been much underserved, including transgender and LGBT homeless children, the organizer announced in the press release.

There are three scholarship categories in which the prizes for transgender and LGBT homeless children are worth $1,000 each, while those for lesbian, gay or bisexual people are worth $800.

Eligible candidates are advised to submit their application form before May 15, and the recipients are to be announced in July. All recipients and donors will be invited to the award ceremony, which will take place in Ha Noi.

Further information can be found at www.vietpride.info.