Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BKHCN stipulates the procedures and formalities for determining national science and technology tasks using state budget funds.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the procedures for determining national science and technology tasks funded by state budget

at the national level using the state budget

Pursuant to the Law on Science and Technology dated June 18, 2013;

Pursuant to Decree No. 08/2014/NĐ-CP dated January 27, 2014 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Science and Technology;

Pursuant to Decree No. 95/2017/NĐ-CP dated August 16, 2017, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Natural Sciences and the Director of the Legal Department;

The Minister of Science and Technology issues this Circular to regulate the procedures for determining national science and technology tasks funded by state budget.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Thông tư này quy định chi tiết khoản 4 Điều 38 Luật Thủy sản số 18/2017/QH14 đã được sửa đổi, bổ sung tại điểm c khoản 21 Điều 14 Luật số 146/2025/QH15.

a) This Circular stipulates the procedures for determining national science and technology tasks funded by state budget (hereinafter referred to as national science and technology tasks) in the forms of scientific and technological topics (hereinafter referred to as topics), experimental production projects (hereinafter referred to as projects), and scientific programs.

b) Tasks funded by funds in the field of science and technology, including support, are not within the scope of regulation of this Circular.

Thông tư này áp dụng đối với tổ chức, cá nhân có liên quan đến hoạt động kinh doanh đối tượng thủy sản nuôi chủ lực trên lãnh thổ Việt Nam.

This Circular applies to organizations and individuals engaged in science and technology activities, as well as other agencies, organizations, and individuals related to such activities.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

1. Proposing national science and technology tasks (hereinafter referred to as task proposals) are scientific and technological issues that need to be resolved, proposed by agencies, organizations, and individuals to ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial people's committees, and central state agencies (hereinafter collectively referred to as ministries, central agencies, and localities) to implement the requirements of Party and State leadership or to meet practical needs for management, economic and social development, environmental protection, national defense, security, and scientific and technological development. (proposing tasks) are scientific and technological issues that need to be addressed, proposed by agencies, organizations, or individuals to ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provincial People's Committees, and other central state agencies (hereinafter referred to collectively as ministries, central agencies, and localities) to implement the requirements of the Party and State leadership or to meet the practical needs of management, economic and social development, environmental protection, ensuring national defense and security, and the development of science and technology.

2. Proposing orders for national science and technology tasks(hereinafter referred to as task order proposals) are proposals for national science and technology tasks made by ministries, central agencies, and localities to the Ministry of Science and Technology or initiated by the Ministry of Science and Technology to propose orders to address urgent and newly emerging issues with significant impacts on national economic and social development, affecting national defense and security.

3. National science and technology tasks ordered are scientific topics, projects, and programs containing content about the name, orientation, objectives, and requirements for results, which are commissioned by the Ministry of Science and Technology for organizations and individuals to implement.

4. Selecting organizations and individuals to carry out national science and technology tasks is the act of competent state authorities determining organizations and individuals to carry out national science and technology tasks according to Article 29 of the Law on Science and Technology.

5. Directly assigning organizations and individuals to carry out national science and technology tasks is the act of competent state authorities deciding organizations and individuals to carry out national science and technology tasks according to Article 30 of the Law on Science and Technology.

6. National science and technology task management system is an information system built, managed, and operated by the Ministry of Science and Technology to manage the implementation of science and technology tasks funded by state budget. Documents, files, and materials are exchanged through the National Science and Technology Task Management System via online methods.. In cases where the National Science and Technology Task Management System is not ready or encounters technical issues that cannot be promptly resolved, documents, files, and materials will be exchanged directly.

7. Electronic document is a data message document created or digitized from paper documents and presented in accordance with the format, technique, and standard set forth in Clause 4, Article 3 of Government Decree No. 30/2020/NĐ-CP dated March 5, 2020 on archival work.

8. Online scientific and technological advisory council meeting method is a meeting method conducted through technological solutions enabling members of the council and participants at different locations to perform their duties.

9. User account is the login name and password used to access and utilize the National Science and Technology Task Management System.

Article 3. Basis for proposing procurement orders

The proposed procurement order must meet one of the following bases:

1. Requirements of Party and State leadership;

2. National strategies and plans for socio-economic development; local socio-economic development plans; industry and sector development strategies and plans;

3. National strategy for science, technology, and innovation development;

4. Directions, goals, and tasks of science and technology over five years and annually;

5. National science and technology programs;

6. Important scientific and technological issues to address urgent national requirements regarding defense, security, natural disasters, epidemics, and science and technology development.

Article 4. Principles for proposing procurement orders

1. Proposing procurement orders must comply with the following principles:

a) Having sufficient grounds for urgency and meeting the criteria for science and technology tasks as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 25 of Decree No. 08/2014/NĐ-CP dated January 27, 2014, guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Science and Technology;

b) Having a plan for application or utilization of the results produced;

c) Having a timeline that ensures feasibility in organization and implementation.

2. In proposing procurement orders, it is encouraged to identify organizations or individuals who propose tasks as a basis for priority according to Clause 3, Article 25 of the Law on Science and Technology, and Clause 5, Article 29 of Decree No. 08/2014/NĐ-CP dated January 27, 2014, guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Science and Technology during the selection process or direct assignment.

Chapter II
REQUIREMENTS FOR TASKS

NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TASKS

Article 5. Requirements for scientific topics, projects, and programs

Scientific topics, projects, and programs must fully meet general requirements and specific requirements for each type of task, specifically as follows:

1. General Requirements

a) Being urgent and important for national socio-economic development, defense, and security, significantly enhancing the country's scientific and technological potential;

b) Issues requiring mobilization of national scientific and technological resources (scientific and technological human resources or financial resources) or contributing to solving cross-regional and cross-sectoral tasks; scientific and technological issues aimed at addressing urgent national requirements regarding defense, security, natural disasters, epidemics, and science and technology development;

c) Not overlapping with national science and technology tasks already being implemented.

2. Specific requirements for topics

a) Research and development topics in applied sciences and technology fields such as natural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and pharmaceutical sciences, agricultural sciences must meet one of the following requirements:

- The technology or scientific and technological product expected: (i) has significant prospects for improving productivity, quality, and efficiency but has not been researched or applied in Vietnam; or (ii) is completed in prototype form (materials; equipment; machinery; production lines; crop varieties; livestock breeds); or (iii) has the potential to be granted a patent, utility model, or plant variety protection certificate;

- There is a feasible plan to develop the technology or scientific and technological product during the pilot production phase.

b) Research topics in social sciences and humanities: Must be novel; research results ensure the creation of scientific evidence and timely solutions for practical problems in policy formulation and implementation of the Party's guidelines and policies, state economic and social policies, and laws;

c) Topics in other fields: Scientific and technological products must be new and advanced compared to existing results in Vietnam or internationally through domestic and international publications, and have significant importance for socio-economic development, ensuring national defense, security, and social welfare.

3. Specific requirements for projects

a) Originating from technology transferred under a technology transfer contract; technology or scientific and technological product created from the results of applied research and development topics reviewed and accepted by the science and technology advisory council; exploitation results of patents and utility models;

b) The technology or scientific and technological product created must be stable at small-scale production levels and feasible for application or product development at large-scale production levels;

c) Possess the ability to mobilize non-state budget resources for implementation.

4. Specific requirements for scientific programs

Must have research results serving as a basis for developing mechanisms, policies, and laws with comprehensive scientific and practical evidence for policy formulation and implementation of the Party's guidelines and state policies and laws.

Article 6. Content of National Science and Technology Tasks under Commissioning

1. The content of national science and technology tasks under commissioning is reflected through: "Name; orientation and objectives; requirements for results; organization and implementation plan", in accordance with Article 5 of this Circular.

2. The section "Requirements for Results" includes several key indicators and parameters, expected requirements regarding quantity and quality of products to be created. Depending on the type of task, these requirements must be expressed as follows:

a) For applied research and technology development topics: Requirements for novelty and requirements for technology or product at the prototype stage;

b) For social science and humanities research topics: Requirements for novelty and ensuring the creation of scientific grounds, timely solutions for practical issues in policy formulation and implementation of the Party's guidelines, socio-economic development policies, and state laws;

c) For other topics: Requirements for novelty and advancement level of products and other requirements;

d) For projects: Economic and technical performance targets of products and trial production scale;

đ) For scientific proposals: Requirements for scientific nature and practicality of products and other requirements.

Chapter III
ORGANIZATION TO DETERMINE TASKS

NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TASKS

Article 7. Procedure for Proposing Tasks

1. For proposing tasks to be implemented within national science and technology programs: Agencies, organizations, and individuals directly submit, send via public postal services, or online to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consolidation and processing.

2. For proposals for tasks not included in national science and technology programs: Agencies, organizations, and individuals submit task proposals to relevant ministries, central agencies, and local authorities appropriate to their industry, field, and management area for consolidation and processing.

3. The Ministry of Science and Technology proactively or upon request from the Government and Prime Minister proposes urgent and newly emerging national science and technology tasks that significantly impact the country’s socio-economic development and national defense and security, based on expert advice.

4. Task proposal forms are attached as Appendices to this Circular: Form A1-DXNV for topics; Form A2-DXNV for projects; Form A3-DXNV for scientific proposals.

Article 8. Procedure for Building Commissioning Proposals

1. For commissioning proposals to be implemented within national science and technology programs as stipulated in Clause 5 of Article 3 of this Circular:

a) Ministries, central agencies, and localities build commissioning proposals consistent with national science and technology programs and submit the application to the Ministry of Science and Technology (directly, via public postal services, or through the National Science and Technology Task Management System). The application includes:

- Proposal letter for commissioning;

- Summary table of proposed commissioning tasks for national science and technology programs according to Form B1-DXDH in the Appendices of this Circular;

- Task proposal form from agencies, organizations, and individuals as prescribed in Clause 4 of Article 7 of this Circular.

b) The Ministry of Science and Technology seeks expert advice from program directors and experts (if necessary) to review the suitability of task proposals from agencies, organizations, and individuals with national science and technology programs, and compile a summary table of proposed commissioning tasks for national science and technology programs according to Form B2-DXDH in the Appendices of this Circular.

2. For commissioning proposals based on the bases specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 of Article 3 of this Circular: Ministries, central agencies, and localities organize expert consultations or seek expert opinions to select task proposals as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 7 of this Circular and submit commissioning proposals to the Ministry of Science and Technology (directly or through the National Science and Technology Task Management System). The application components follow the provisions of point a of Clause 1 of this Article.

3. The Ministry of Science and Technology proactively or upon request from the Government and Prime Minister proposes urgent and newly emerging national science and technology tasks that significantly impact the country’s socio-economic development and national defense and security; organizes expert consultations on these tasks and seeks opinions from relevant ministries, central agencies, and local authorities appropriate to their industry, field, and management area to finalize them. Application documents submitted for opinions from ministries, central agencies, and local authorities include:

a) Letter seeking opinions from ministries, central agencies, and local authorities according to Form B3-DXDH in the Appendices of this Circular;

b) Summary table of proposed commissioning tasks for national science and technology programs according to Form B4-DXDH in the Appendices of this Circular.

Article 9. Compilation and Processing of Order Proposals

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology compiles the order proposals stipulated in Article 8 of this Circular to submit to the Advisory Council for Determining National Science and Technology Tasks.

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology conducts information searches on national science and technology tasks that have been and are being implemented, related to the order proposals at the national database on science and technology to serve the Advisory Council's meeting for determining national science and technology tasks. The search results follow Model C0-KQTrC attached to this Circular.

Article 10. Establishment of the Advisory Council for Determining National Science and Technology Tasks

1. The Minister of Science and Technology decides to establish the Advisory Council for Determining National Science and Technology Tasks (hereinafter referred to as the Advisory Council) by specialty to review and evaluate one or more order proposals within the same field.

2. The Advisory Council consists of from seven to eleven members, including the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and scientific secretary member. For each order proposal, two members are assigned as reviewing members.

3. Members of the Advisory Council are scientists from the database of science and technology experts approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology, representatives of agencies and organizations proposing orders (central and local agencies proposing orders), managers within the industry and field of the proposed order, capable businesspeople with relevant expertise for advisory tasks.

4. In cases deemed necessary, based on the opinion of the specialized management unit assigned by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Minister of Science and Technology may decide on the number and composition of the Advisory Council differently from the provisions of Clause 2 and 3 of this Article.

Article 11. Working Methods of the Advisory Council

1. The Advisory Council convenes in one of the following methods:

a) Face-to-face meeting method;

b) Online meeting method;

c) Hybrid face-to-face and online meeting method.

2. The Advisory Council meeting must include participation of at least two-thirds of the members, including the mandatory presence of the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson authorized by the Chairperson (in case of absence of the Chairperson), reviewing members, and the scientific secretary member. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson authorized by the Chairperson according to Model E-GUQ attached to this Circular. 3. Members of the Advisory Council are responsible for:

a) Studying materials provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology and preparing comments and evaluations on order proposals according to the models attached to this Circular: Model C1-TVHĐ for research topics and projects; Model C2-TVHĐ for scientific programs;

b) Providing comments and evaluations on the National Science and Technology Task Management System before the meeting.

4. User accounts and materials for the meeting are sent to Advisory Council members through the National Science and Technology Task Management System at least five working days before the meeting, including:

a) Decision on establishing the Advisory Council;

b) Summary table of order proposal items

and Proposal task forms attached; c) Tables, models, and appendices serving comments and evaluations appropriate to the order proposals;

d) Search results of information on national science and technology tasks that have been and are being implemented and are related;

đ) Other documents or electronic texts (if any).

5. The Advisory Council operates under the principle of democracy, adhering to professional ethics, independence, honesty, objectivity, scientific rigor, and ensuring scientific integrity. The Advisory Council discusses and reaches conclusions on differing opinions of members (if any). The Advisory Council's conclusion is adopted when more than three-quarters of participating members agree.

6. Advisory Council members may reserve their opinions if they differ from the Advisory Council's conclusion, bear individual responsibility for their advisory opinions, and bear collective responsibility for the Advisory Council's conclusions, keep confidential received information except where otherwise provided by law.

7. The Ministry of Science and Technology assigns two administrative secretaries to assist in preparing materials and organizing Advisory Council meetings.

7. The Ministry of Science and Technology assigns two administrative secretaries to assist in preparing documents and organizing meetings of the Advisory Council.

Article 12. Procedures and formalities for the Advisory Council's operations

1. The administrative secretary announces the decision to establish the Advisory Council.

2. A representative from the Ministry of Science and Technology summarizes the requirements for the Advisory Council.

3. The Chairman of the Council presides over the sessions of the Advisory Council. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman authorized by the Chairman will preside over the session.

4. The Advisory Council appoints one member as a scientific secretary delegate to record discussions and draft the minutes of the session according to Model D1-BBHĐ attached as an appendix to this Circular.

5. The Advisory Council discusses the contents as stipulated in Articles 13 and 14 of this Circular.

6. Members of the Advisory Council evaluate the research and technology task order proposal through the National Scientific and Technological Task Management System of the Ministry of Science and Technology using the evaluation forms attached to this Circular: Form C1-PĐG for topics and projects; Form C2-PĐG for scientific programs. The proposal is recommended "to be implemented" when all items on the evaluation form are rated as "meeting requirements," and it is recommended "not to be implemented" if any item is rated as "not meeting requirements." For proposals recommended "to be implemented,"

two reviewers and the scientific secretary compile the Advisory Council's recommendations regarding: the contents of national scientific and technological tasks as specified in Article 6 of this Circular; the source of the proposed task as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 4 of this Circular.

8. For proposals recommended "to be implemented," two reviewers and the scientific secretary compile the Advisory Council's recommendations regarding: the contents of national scientific and technological tasks as specified in Article 6 of this Circular; the source of the proposed task as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 4 of this Circular.

9. Within five working days from the date of the meeting results, the Advisory Council revises, supplements, and completes the compilation of recommendations (including recommendations on implementation methods: selection or direct assignment). The Advisory Council's conclusions on the contents of national scientific and technological tasks are approved when more than three-quarters of participating members agree. The compilation of the Advisory Council's recommendations according to the model attached to this Circular: Model D2-KNHĐ (for topics and projects); Model D3-KNHĐ (for scientific programs).

10. For proposals recommended "not to be implemented," the Advisory Council agrees on the reasons for not recommending implementation.

Article 13. Contents of the Advisory Council's discussion to determine topics and projects

Members of the Advisory Council analyze, discuss, and evaluate the following contents:

1. The urgency and importance for economic and social development, national defense, and security throughout the country, with significant roles in enhancing the national scientific and technological potential;

2. Interdisciplinary, inter-regional nature, scale, and importance of the scientific issues raised;

3. The possibility of not overlapping with national scientific and technological tasks already being or about to be implemented;

4. The potential for applying or utilizing the results created in production and daily life;

5. The origin of technology and the ability to mobilize non-state budget resources to implement (for projects);

6. Name; target orientation; requirements for results; implementation organization plan (selection or direct assignment);

7. Source of the proposed task as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 4 of this Circular.

Article 14. Content of the Advisory Council's discussion to determine the scientific project proposal

Members of the Advisory Council analyze, discuss, and evaluate the following contents:

1. Urgency and importance for economic and social development, national defense, and security throughout the country;

2. Interdisciplinary, inter-regional nature, scale, and importance of the scientific issues raised;

3. The possibility of not overlapping with national scientific and technological tasks already being or about to be implemented;

4. The ability to apply or utilize the results created in policy formulation and development;

5. Name; orientation and objectives; requirements for outcomes; implementation plan (selection or direct assignment);

6. Source of task proposal according to Clause 2, Article 4 of this Circular.

Article 15. Approval of national science and technology tasks under commissioning

1. Within fifteen days from the date of the Advisory Council's working results, the heads of agencies and units entrusted by the Minister of Science and Technology shall review the procedures and processes of work and consider the opinions of the Advisory Council on national science and technology tasks under commissioning as stipulated in this Circular. If necessary, the heads of these agencies and units may propose the Minister to seek independent domestic or foreign expert advice or establish another Advisory Council to re-determine the national science and technology tasks.

2. Based on the review results and advisory opinions as specified in Clause 1 above, the Ministry of Science and Technology will approve national science and technology tasks under commissioning. Within fifteen days from the approval date, the Ministry of Science and Technology will publicly announce the commissioned scientific topics, projects, and proposals on the National Science and Technology Task Management System and the Ministry of Science and Technology's electronic portal to select or directly assign to organizations and individuals with sufficient capacity to implement.

Chapter IV
ORGANIZATION TO DETERMINE NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TASKS RELATED TO STATE SECRETS

NATIONAL LEVEL RELATED TO STATE SECRETS

Article 16. Procedure for proposing tasks related to state secrets

1. The procedure for proposing tasks is carried out according to the guidelines set forth in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 7 of this Circular.

2. The task proposal forms are completed according to the guidelines set forth in Clause 4 of Article 7 of this Circular and submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology in accordance with regulations on protecting state secrets.

Article 17. Procedure for building task proposals related to state secrets

1. The procedure for building task proposals is carried out according to the guidelines set forth in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 8 of this Circular.

2. Forms and templates in the task proposal dossier of central ministries and local authorities are implemented according to the guidelines set forth in Point a, Clause 1 of Article 8 of this Circular. Forms and templates in the dossier of the Ministry of Science and Technology seeking opinions from central ministries and local authorities are implemented according to the guidelines set forth in Clause 3 of Article 8 of this Circular. Submission, processing, and storage of related dossiers are carried out according to regulations on protecting state secrets.

Article 18. Compilation and handling of task proposals related to state secrets

1. The procedure for compiling and handling task proposals is regulated in Article 9 of this Circular.

2. Assignment, receipt, processing, and storage of related dossiers are carried out according to regulations on protecting state secrets.

Article 19. Establishment of the Advisory Council to Determine National Science and Technology Tasks Related to State Secrets

1. The procedure for establishing the Advisory Council is carried out according to the provisions of Article 10 of this Circular.

2. The Advisory Council's working method is face-to-face meetings and in accordance with regulations on protecting state secrets. Requirements of the Advisory Council are carried out according to Clauses 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of Article 11 of this Circular. Handover, receipt, storage of review forms, materials serving the Advisory Council meeting sessions, and other related issues are carried out according to regulations on protecting secrets.

Article 20. Procedure and formalities for the Advisory Council's work in determining national science and technology tasks related to state secrets

1. The procedure for the Advisory Council's work shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 of this Circular.

2. Members of the Advisory Council evaluate the tender proposals through evaluation forms on paper immediately at the meeting in accordance with the models prescribed in Clause 6 of Article 12 of this Circular. The handover and storage of evaluation forms shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations on protecting state secrets.

3. Other relevant forms and templates shall be handed over, received, and stored in paper form in accordance with the regulations on protecting state secrets.

Article 21. Approval of national science and technology tasks related to state secrets

1. The procedure for approving national science and technology tasks shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 15 of this Circular.

2. Information about the approval of national science and technology tasks shall be issued and stored in accordance with the regulations on protecting state secrets.

Chapter V
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 22. Application of laws

In cases where national science and technology tasks have specific provisions regarding the procedures for determining tasks in normative legal documents, such provisions shall be implemented in accordance with those documents. For contents referred to in the Circular prescribing the procedures for determining national science and technology tasks funded by the State budget, the provisions of this Circular shall apply.

Article 23. Transitional Provisions

As for tender proposals submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology before the effective date of this Circular, they shall continue to be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BKHCN dated May 26, 2014, prescribing the procedures for determining national science and technology tasks funded by the State budget, and Circular No. 03/2017/TT-BKHCN dated April 3, 2017, amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BKHCN dated May 26, 2014, of the Minister of Science and Technology prescribing the procedures for determining national science and technology tasks funded by the State budget.

Article 24. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from July 9, 2023.

2. Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BKHCN dated May 26, 2014, of the Minister of Science and Technology prescribing the procedures for determining national science and technology tasks funded by the State budget, and Circular No. 03/2017/TT-BKHCN dated April 3, 2017, of the Minister of Science and Technology amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BKHCN dated May 26, 2014, of the Minister of Science and Technology prescribing the procedures for determining national science and technology tasks funded by the State budget shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.

Article 25. Implementation organization

1. Ministries, central agencies, and local authorities entrusted with managing special national science and technology tasks shall apply the guidelines of this Circular to organize the determination of science and technology tasks within their assigned scope and authority.

2. Ministries, central agencies, and local authorities may apply the guidelines of this Circular to issue regulations on determining ministry-level and provincial-level science and technology tasks within their management scope.

3. During implementation, if any difficulties arise, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals are requested to promptly report to the Ministry of Science and Technology for research, amendment, and supplementation.