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MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF VIETNAM |
THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM |
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No. 43/2025/TT-BKHCN |
Hanoi, November 30, 2025 |
ON MANAGEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR ENHANCEMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL CAPACITY
Pursuant to Decree No. 55/2025/ND-CP dated March 02, 2025 of the Government on functions, responsibilities, jurisdiction and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;
Pursuant to Decree No. 262/2025/ND-CP dated October 14, 2025 of the Government elaborating some articles of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation regarding finance and investment in science, technology and innovation;
Pursuant to Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP dated October 14, 2025 of the Government on elaboration on some articles of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation regarding science, technology and innovation programs and tasks; and some regulations on promoting scientific research, technology development and innovation activities;
At the request of the Director of the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development;
The Minister of Science and Technology promulgates the Circular on management of support for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity.
This Circular regulates the content, criteria, requirements, procedures for sponsor, contract conclusion, management and implementation of support for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity of the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (hereinafter referred to as “NAFOSTED”); support for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity of foundations for development of science, technology and innovation of ministries, ministerial authorities, Governmental authorities, other central authorities and province-level People’s Committees as prescribed in clause 1, Article 42 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP dated October 14, 2025 of the Government on elaboration on some articles of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation regarding science, technology and innovation programs and tasks; and some regulations on promoting scientific research, technology development and innovation activities (hereinafter referred to as “Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP”).
This Circular applies to authorities, organizations, enterprises and individuals that engage in activities of science, technology and innovation in Vietnam, or outside of Vietnam but have the rights and obligations in accordance with the laws in Vietnam and international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.
Article 3. Definitions
1. Supporting agencies are NAFOSTED, or foundations for development of science, technology and innovation of ministries, ministerial authorities, Governmental authorities, other central authorities and province-level People’s Committees.
2. Talented young scientists and talented young engineers are individuals engaging in activities of science, technology and innovation who meet the standards prescribed in Articles 39 and 40 of Decree No. 263/2025/ND-CP dated October 14, 2025 of the Government on elaboration of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation regarding the autonomy and accountability mechanisms of public science and technology organization, human resources, talents and awards.
3. A reputable international journal is a scientific journal included in the journal list of the Scopus or Web of Science databases.
Support for activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity aims to develop the national scientific and technological potential; strengthen the capacity and quality of scientific research and technology development of organizations and individuals; serve socio-economic development, ensure national defense and security, and promote international integration.
Article 5. Principles for support
1. Ensure the objectivity, democracy and equality. The information about support activities and procedures shall be disclosed on the electronic portal of the supporting agency and the National digital platform for management of science, technology and innovation.
2. Meet the requirements for development and integration regarding scientific research, technology development and innovation.
3. Activities with the same content and objectives that have already received funding from the state budget shall not be supported.
Depending on the type of activity to enhance scientific and technological capacity, the support funding shall be granted in accordance with one of the following two methods:
1. Supporting agencies may grant lump-sum support to entities based on an approved research proposal or project description. The supported entities are responsible for approving, managing and implementing the support activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity through foundational tasks related to science, technology and innovation;
2. Supporting agencies may grant support to entities in accordance with results of the application consideration.
CONTENT, REQUIREMENTS, CRITERIA AND APPLICATION FOR SUPPORT FOR ENHANCEMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL CAPACITY
Article 7. Support for organizing scientific conferences in Vietnam
1. The supporting content shall comply with clause 1, Article 43 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. Requirements for support:
a) Be organized by reputable organizations in the field; have an official website introducing the conference; involve reputable scientists in the registered field who participate and present scientific reports.
b) Be relevant to the field of activity of the organizing unit.
3. Criteria for support:
a) The quality of the scientific conference is evaluated based on the prestige and capacity of the organizing unit, organizing committee and program committee; the composition of scientists participating in the conference; results and quality of previous conferences (if any); scientific achievements of foreign scientists who request funding support for attending the conference;
b) The significance of scientific conference for the research field or for the country, ministry, central authority and local authority is for generating follow-up results such as research cooperation, application of research outcomes, or technology transfer.
c) Budget estimates in accordance with applicable regulations.
4. The application includes:
a) Request form for support in accordance with Form NCNL-01 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
b) Written approval for organizing scientific conference issued by competent authorities;
c) Budget estimate for support in accordance with Form NCNL-02 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
d) List, background and scientific reports of foreign scientists requesting funding support for attending scientific conference.
Article 8. Support for developing scientific journals
1. The supporting content shall comply with clause 1, Article 44 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. Requirements for support:
a) Be a scientific journal that meets the criteria prescribed in clause 2, Article 10 of Circular No. 27/2025/TT-BKHCN dated October 31, 2025 of the Minister of Science and Technology on scientific articles, evaluation and classification of Vietnamese scientific journals;
b) Have procedures for receiving, appraising and publishing articles in accordance with Article 38 of Decree No. 262/2025/ND-CP dated October 14, 2025 of the Government elaborating certain articles of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation regarding information, statistics, evaluation, digital transformation and general issues.
3. The criteria for support consideration shall comply with clause 3, Article 44 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
4. The application includes:
a) Request form for support in accordance with Form NCNL-03 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
b) Plan for improving the quality and standards of the journal;
c) List and background of members of the journal’s editorial board;
d) Budget estimate for support in accordance with Form NCNL-04 in Appendix attached to this Circular.
Article 9. Support for initiatives, solutions for technical improvement or production rationalization activities
1. The supporting content shall comply with clause 1, Article 45 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. The requirements for support shall comply with clause 2, Article 45 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
3. The criteria for support consideration shall comply with clause 3, Article 45 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
4. The application includes:
a) Request form for support in accordance with Form NCNL-05 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
b) Description on the initiative, solution for technical improvement or production rationalization activities in accordance with Form NCNL-06 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
c) Budget estimate for support in accordance with Form NCNL-07 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
Article 10. Support for communication and knowledge dissemination activities related to science, technology and innovation
1. The supporting content shall comply with clause 1, Article 46 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. The requirements for support shall comply with clause 2, Article 46 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
3. The criteria for support consideration shall comply with clause 3, Article 46 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
4. The application includes:
a) Request form for support in accordance with Form NCNL-08 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
b) Description on detailed plan for activities in accordance with Form NCNL-09 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
e) Commitment of entities cooperating in implementing proposed communication and knowledge dissemination activities related to science, technology and innovation (if any);
d) Description on competency of entities requesting for support in accordance with Form NXNL-10 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
dd) Budget estimate for support in accordance with Form NCNL-11 in Appendix attached to this Circular.
Article 11. Support for short-term internships and research abroad
1. The supporting content shall comply with clause 1, Article 47 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. The requirements for support shall comply with clause 2, Article 47 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
3. Criteria for support:
a) The quality of the research proposal is demonstrated through: (1) the relevance between the content of the internship or overseas short-term research and ongoing tasks related to science, technology and innovation (if any); (2) clear the objectives, content, methods, plan and timeline; (3) the expected research results and outputs in accordance with the proposal; the significance and impact of the internship or overseas short-term research on enhancing individuals’ professional capacity and contributing to their affiliated authority.
b) Research achievements of the scientist requesting support are demonstrated through: (1) scientific, technological, and innovation research results, intellectual property certificates, plant variety protection certificates in the last 05 years, awards in science, technology or innovation (if any); (2) results of tasks related to science, technology and innovation that the applicant has led or participated;
c) Achievements and reputation of the foreign partner; the relevance of expertise, infrastructure conditions and scientific achievements of the foreign partner;
d) Budget estimates in accordance with applicable regulations.
4. The application includes:
a) Request form for support in accordance with Form NCNL-12 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
b) Letters of recommendation from two scientists in accordance with Form NCNL-13 in Appendix attached to this Circular. The recommending scientists must hold a doctoral degree, have research results relevant to the applicant’s research field, and have published in international journals within five years prior to the application date;
c) Invitation letter for research cooperation from the foreign partner or acceptance letter for research supervision from the foreign partner as prescribed in point a, clause 2, Article 47 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP on the location, duration, content of internship/research, and responsibility for related costs;
d) Research proposal description of the foreign partner that clarifies objectives, significance, necessity of the internship/research visit, content, methodology, research plan, and expected results approved by the foreign partner or scientist;
dd) Background of the applicant in accordance with Form NCNL-14 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
e) Budget estimate for support that clarifies costs funded by the foreign partner (if any) in accordance with Form NCNL-15 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
Article 12. Support for postdoctoral researcher activities
1. The supporting content shall comply with clause 1, Article 48 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. The requirements for support shall comply with clause 2, Article 48 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
3. The criteria for support consideration shall comply with clause 3, Article 48 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
4. The application includes:
a) Request form for support for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for organizations in accordance with Form NCNL-16 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
b) Description on enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for organizations in accordance with Form NCNL-17 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
c) Budget estimate for support for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for organizations in accordance with Form NCNL-18 in Appendix attached to this Circular.
Article 13. Support for research activities of doctoral candidates and master’s program students
1. The supporting content shall comply with clause 1, Article 49 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. The requirements for support shall comply with clause 2, Article 49 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
3. The criteria for support consideration shall comply with clause 3, Article 49 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
4. The application includes:
a) Request form for support for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for organizations in accordance with Form NCNL-16 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
b) Description on enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for organizations in accordance with Form NCNL-17 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
c) Budget estimate for support for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for organizations in accordance with Form NCNL-18 in Appendix attached to this Circular.
Article 14. Support for research activities of outstanding scientists with remarkable achievements in scientific research and technology development
1. The supporting content shall comply with clause 1, Article 50 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. The requirements for support shall comply with clause 2, Article 50 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
3. The criteria for support consideration shall comply with clause 3, Article 50 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
4. The application includes:
a) Request form for support for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for organizations in accordance with Form NCNL-16 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
b) Description on enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for organizations in accordance with Form NCNL-17 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
c) Budget estimate for support for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for organizations in accordance with Form NCNL-18 in Appendix attached to this Circular.
Article 15. Support for inviting outstanding foreign scientists to Vietnam for short-term academic exchanges
1. The supporting content shall comply with clause 1, Article 51 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. The requirements for support shall comply with clause 2, Article 51 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
3. The criteria for support consideration shall comply with clause 3, Article 51 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. The application includes:
a) Request form for support in accordance with Form NCNL-19 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
b) Background of foreign scientists;
c) Description on the plan for inviting outstanding foreign scientists to Vietnam for short-term academic exchanges in accordance with Form NCNL-20 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
d) Budget estimate for support in accordance with Form NCNL-21 in Appendix attached to this Circular.
Article 16. Support for attending and presenting research results at international scientific conferences and seminars
1. The supporting content shall comply with clause 1, Article 52 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. Requirements for support:
a) Domestic scientists have scientific papers accepted for presentation at international scientific conferences or seminars;
b) The content of the international scientific conference or seminar is relevant to the domestic scientist’s field of expertise.
3. Criteria for support:
a) The quality and prestige of the international scientific conference or seminar are evaluated based on: (1) the organizing committee including reputable scientists or managers; (2) the frequency of the conference or seminar; (3) clear and transparent procedures for evaluation and selection of reports on the conference/seminar’s official website; (4) the participation of reputable scientists and managers delivering presentations; (5) the conference or seminar sponsored by reputable organizations in the field of science and technology.
b) The research achievements of the domestic scientist are demonstrated through publications in scientific journals;
c) Budget estimates in accordance with applicable regulations;
d) The interval between two consecutive supports for a scientist attending international scientific conferences or seminars shall be more than 12 months from the opening dates of the conferences or seminars.
4. The application includes:
a) Request form for support in accordance with Form NCNL-22 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
b) Invitation letter to present a scientific report at the international scientific conference or seminar;
c) The scientific report intended to be presented at the international scientific conference or seminar;
d) Background of the applicant in accordance with Form NCNL-14 in Appendix attached to this Circular and proofs of eligibility of a talented young scientist or talented young engineer (if any);
dd) Budget estimate for support in accordance with Form NCNL-23 in Appendix attached to this Circular.
Article 17. Support for publishing domestic and international science and technology works
1. The supporting content shall comply with clause 1, Article 53 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. The requirements for support shall comply with clause 2, Article 53 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
3. Criteria for support:
a) The quality and significance of the science and technology work;
b) The reputation and quality of the publishing journal;
– For foundations for development of science, technology and innovation of ministries, ministerial authorities, Governmental authorities, other central authorities and province-level People’s Committees, the publishing journal must be a reputable international journal or a level-1 Vietnamese scientific journal in accordance with clause 2, Article 11 of Circular No. 27/2025/TT-BKHCN.
– For NAFOSTED, the publishing journal must be included in the first quartiles (Q1) in accordance with the classification of the Scopus or Web of Science international databases.
4. The application includes:
a) Request form for support in accordance with Form NCNL-24 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
b) Background of the author in accordance with Form NCNL-14 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
c) Published science and technology work;
d) Proofs of payment of fees for publication of science and technology work (if any).
Article 18. Support for talented young scientists and talented young engineers
1. The supporting content shall comply with clause 1, Article 54 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
2. The requirements for support shall comply with clause 2, Article 54 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
3. The criteria for support consideration shall comply with clause 3, Article 54 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
4. The application includes:
a) Request form for support for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for organizations in accordance with Form NCNL-16 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
b) Description on enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for organizations in accordance with Form NCNL-17 in Appendix attached to this Circular;
c) Budget estimate for support for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for organizations in accordance with Form NCNL-18 in Appendix attached to this Circular.
PROCEDURES FOR SPONSOR, CONTRACT CONCLUSION, MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SUPPORT FOR ENHANCEMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL CAPACITY
Section 1. PROCEDURES FOR SPONSOR AND CONTRACT CONCLUSION
Article 19. Procedures for sponsor and contract conclusion
1. Receipt of application
a) Annually, based on the activity plan, the supporting agency shall announce the plan for the scale, field and criteria for selection of organizations for support for the types of activities prescribed in Articles 12, 13, 14, and 18 of this Circular.
The application shall be submitted via the online public service portal/National digital platform for management of science, technology and innovation, in person, or by postal service within the deadline prescribed in the announcement;
b) For the types of activities prescribed in Articles 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 and 17 of this Circular, the applicant shall submit application through the online public service portal/National digital platform for management of science, technology and innovation, in person, or by postal service 02 months before the expected date of the activity for activities prescribed in Articles 7, 10, 11, 15 and 16, or in accordance with the needs of individuals, authorities and organizations for activities prescribed in Articles 8, 9 and 17 of this Circular.
2. Consideration for sponsor
a) For activities prescribed in Articles 12, 13, 14 and 18 of this Circular:
– The supporting agency shall evaluate the overall activity plan proposed by the organization through the Science and Technology Council based on the following criteria: research capacity of the organization, efficiency of fund utilization in previous stages (if any), contribution level to the development of national scientific and technological capacity, and the potential for dissemination of results.
– Based on the evaluation results from the Science and Technology Council, the supporting agency shall approve the list of organizations eligible for support and the corresponding funding rates;
– Funding is provided as a lump-sum allocation to the entity in accordance with the approved proposal. This entity is responsible for approving, managing and organizing the implementation of foundational tasks related to science, technology and innovation as prescribed by laws;
– The deadline for processing the application is 60 days from the deadline for receiving application.
b) For activities for enhancement of national scientific and technological capacity prescribed in Articles 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 and 17 of this Circular:
– The supporting agency shall seek opinions of at least 03 independent advisory experts for applications for support for the activities prescribed in Articles 7, 11, 15, 16 and 17 of this Circular.
– The supporting agency shall review applications support for activities prescribed in Articles 8, 9 and 10 of this Circular through the Science and Technology Council;
– The valid application of the supporting agency, recommended for funding by the Council or by at least two-thirds of the evaluating experts shall be considered and decided by the supporting agency. If necessary, the supporting agency may seek opinions of other independent advisory experts before making a decision.
– The deadline for processing the application is 30 days from the receipt of valid application.
– The supporting agency shall notify the results to the applicant and shall not return the application for the applicant who is not eligible for support.
c) The supporting agency shall promulgate the working regulations of the Science and Technology Council.
3. Contract conclusion:
a) Based on the decision on approval of the support (list of entities eligible for support and the corresponding funding rates), the supporting agency shall conclude the contract with the such entity;
b) The contract shall include the following main contents: name of the supported entity; content of support; deadline (if any); funding rate; rights and obligations of the involved parties; and other terms as prescribed by laws;
c) Within 15 days from the issuance of the decision on approval of support, the supporting agency is responsible for concluding the contract with the supported entity;
d) If the entity fails to conclude the contract within the deadline as prescribed in the announcement of the supporting agency without a valid reason, the supporting agency has the right to cancel the decision on approval of support and handle the case in accordance with applicable laws.
Section 2. MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
Article 20. Responsibilities of supporting agencies
1. Support capacity-enhancement activities in accordance with objectives, content, targets and regulations prescribed in this Circular; ensure transparency, objectivity and effectiveness.
2. Receive, evaluate and approve applications for support; manage the implementation of support in accordance with the laws.
3. Monitor and inspect the implementation of supported activities including:
a) Checking the progress, content and results of supported entities;
b) Inspecting the use of funds to ensure proper purposes, thriftiness and efficiency;
4. Organize the evaluation of outcomes and impacts of activities supporting the enhancement of scientific and technological capacity.
5. Conduct inspections and handle violations of entities violating support contracts.
Article 21. Responsibilities of supported entities
1. Responsibilities of supported entities
a) Implement the activities to enhance national scientific and technological capacity according to the contract;
b) Use the funding properly, in accordance with the laws, and effectively; provide all valid documents and carry out payment/statement as prescribed by applicable laws;
c) Comply with the laws of the host country while performing supported activities abroad;
d) Provide, update information and reports on the status and results of supported activities in accordance with Form NCNL-25 in Appendix attached to this Circular to the National digital platform for management of science, technology and innovation within 01 month after the activity’s completion; participate in surveys and evaluations to serve the summarization, effectiveness evaluation and planning of funding activities by the supporting agency.
1. Ministers, ministerial authorities, Governmental authorities, other central authorities and province-level People’s Committees shall apply regulations in this Circular to organize activities for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity for foundations for development of science, technology and innovation under their management.
2. If necessary, ministries, ministerial authorities, governmental authorities, other central authorities and province-level People’s Committees shall elaborate criteria, procedures and forms for supporting activities for enhancement of scientific and technological capacity under their management as prescribed in clause 2, Article 42 of Decree No. 267/2025/ND-CP.
1. This Circular comes into force from December 15, 2025.
2. Shall any difficulties arise during the implementation, report to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consideration and amendments./.
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MINISTER Nguyen Manh Hung |
