Circular No. 18/2015/TT-BNNPTNT stipulates the management of scientific and technological tasks of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

1. This Circular stipulates the management of scientific and technological tasks using state budget funds under the forms of scientific and technological projects at the ministerial level (hereinafter referred to as "projects") and pilot production projects at the ministerial level (hereinafter referred to as "pilot projects") within the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. This Circular applies to organizations and individuals related to the management and implementation of ministerial-level projects under the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (hereinafter referred to as "the Ministry").

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1. Selecting is the selection of organizations and individuals with capability and experience to ensure the highest feasibility for implementing the Ministry's projects through the examination and evaluation of registration documents according to the requirements and criteria set forth in this Circular.

2. Directly assigning is the direct assignment by the Ministry to organizations with sufficient capability, conditions, and appropriate expertise to implement the Ministry's projects.

3. Scientific management agency is the agency assigned by the Ministry to directly manage projects, including the Department of Science, Technology and Environment and the General Department of Professional Management.

MANAGEMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL TASKS

Section 1

DETERMINATION OF THE LIST OF ORDERED PROJECTS

Article 3. Requirements for projects

1. General Requirements

a) Urgency, meeting practical production needs, focusing on key issues of the sector, increasing added value, and sustainable development of agriculture and rural development.

b) Non-repetition of content with scientific and technological tasks using state budget funds that have been or are being implemented. For follow-up projects, clearly state the achievements made in previous stages and the remaining issues to be addressed.

2. Specific requirements for projects

a) Clear objectives and products.

b) Anticipated technology or scientific and technological product: ensuring novelty and advancement compared to existing scientific and technological products; having potential to improve productivity, quality, and efficiency; completed in prototype form for pilot production stage; capable of obtaining patents, technical progress certificates, useful solutions, or protection certificates; having a recipient address for results;

c) Feasible plan for developing scientific and technological products.

3. Specific requirements for pilot projects

a) Technology or scientific and technological product of the pilot project: originating from research results evaluated, accepted, and recommended for application by a national, ministerial, or provincial science and technology council, or from exploitation of patents or useful solutions; ensuring stability at small-scale production and applicability or developability at large-scale production;

b) Commitment and assurance of mobilizing non-state budget financial resources to implement the pilot project.

Article 4. Basis for proposing topics and projects

1. Strategy, Program for the development of the agricultural sector.

2. Strategy, Program for the development of science and technology at the national level and within the sector.

3. Requirements from practical production and economic and social development.

4. Requirements from Party and State leadership; leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 5. Construction and approval of the list of topics and projects

1. Periodically or based on urgency, organizations and individuals directly submit or send via postal service proposals to order topics and projects according to Model B1a.PDX-BNN issued together with this Circular to the Ministry (through the Department of Science, Technology and Environment).

2. Within ten working days, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment will collect proposals to order topics and projects related to specialized management areas and forward them to the General Department and the Bureau.

3. Within twenty working days, the General Department and the Bureau decide to establish an advisory council to build the list of topics and projects and propose implementation methods (according to Model B1b.DMDTDA-BNN issued with this Circular) and forward it to the Department of Science, Technology and Environment. The composition of the advisory council is regulated in Clause 2, Article 16 of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BKHCN dated May 26, 2014 of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The heads of the General Department and the Bureau are responsible to the Minister for the ordered lists.

4. Within ten working days, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment will compile, review, and construct the list of ordered topics and projects and their implementation methods (according to Model B1b.DMDTDA-BNN issued with this Circular) and submit them to the Minister for approval. They are responsible to the Minister for the proposed lists.

5. Priority will be given to approving tasks involving capital contributions from enterprises.

Article 6. Announcement of selection and direct assignment of topics and projects

1. For topics implemented through a selection process: the Ministry (Department of Science, Technology and Environment) publicly announces on the Ministry's electronic portal.

2. For topics and projects implemented through direct assignment: the Ministry publicly announces on its electronic portal and notifies in writing to organizations directly assigned by the Ministry.

3. Announcing period: within five working days from the date the list of ordered topics and projects is approved.

SELECTION AND DIRECT ASSIGNMENT OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO MANAGE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TOPICS AND PROJECTS

Article 7. Conditions for participation in selection and direct assignment to manage the implementation of topics and projects

1. For organizations managing the implementation of topics and projects must meet the following conditions:

a) Have registered scientific and technological activities;

b) Have functions suitable for the specialized field of the scientific and technological task;

c) Not fall under any of the following circumstances: As of the submission deadline, they have not fully repaid the recovered funds according to the contract for the previous topic or project;

2. For individual principal investigators of topics and projects must meet the following conditions:

a) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher, have relevant expertise, and have been actively engaged in the related field for at least five years up to the submission deadline;

b) Be the principal or main contributor to the elaboration of the topic or project proposal;

c) Possess the ability to directly implement or organize the implementation and ensure sufficient time to manage the implementation of the topic or project;

d) As of the submission deadline, they are not managing more than one Ministry-level or national-level scientific and technological task;

đ) Not fall under any of the following circumstances:

Article 8. Submission of registration dossier for selection and direct assignment

1. The registration dossier for selection and direct assignment includes:

a) A copy of the Certificate of Registration for Scientific and Technological Activities of the organization registering as the main entity for the scientific and technological task;

b) The application form to register as the main entity to implement the research topic or project according to model B2.ĐON-BNN issued together with this Circular;

c) The detailed description of the research topic according to model B3a.TMĐT-BNN issued together with this Circular (for registration to participate in selection and direct assignment of topics) or the detailed description of the project according to model B3b.TMDA-BNN issued together with this Circular (for direct assignment of projects);

d) A summary of the scientific and technological activities of the organization registering to implement the research topic or project according to model B4.LLTC-BNN issued together with this Circular;

đ) The scientific curriculum vitae of the individual registering as the main entity for the research topic or project and other participating individuals (maximum 10 people), confirmed by the administrative management agency according to model B5.LLCN-BNN issued together with this Circular;

e) A brief scientific curriculum vitae of foreign experts (in case of hiring foreign experts);

g) A confirmation document from the organization registering to cooperate in implementing the research topic or project according to model B6.PHTH-BNN issued together with this Circular (if applicable);

h) A document proving the ability to mobilize funds from other sources (in case of mobilizing funds from other sources);

i) For projects: supplement legal commitment documents and explanations on the ability to mobilize at least 50% of the total project funding from non-state budget sources (financial reports of enterprises in the last two years; loan commitment or loan guarantee commitment from credit organizations; legal commitment and confirmation documents regarding capital contribution of the main organization and participating organizations in the project).

2. The registration dossier consists of one original set (with stamp and direct signature) and seven copies, presented and printed on A4 paper size, using Vietnamese font of Unicode character code standard TCVN 6909:2001, font size 14, packaged in a dossier envelope sealed and marked on the outside with: Name of the research topic or project; Name and address of the organization registering as the main entity to implement the research topic or project; Full name of the main individual; Full name and workplace of participating individuals; list of documents included in the dossier.

3. Submission of the dossier

a) The organization registering to participate in selection and direct assignment shall submit the dossier directly or by post to the Department of Science, Technology and Environment. The deadline for submission is as announced on the Ministry's website;

b) The date of dossier receipt certification is the date recorded on the post office stamp (in case of submission by post) or the arrival stamp of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment's document office (in case of direct submission).

4. Within the specified period for submitting the dossier, the organization and individual registering to participate in selection and direct assignment have the right to withdraw the submitted dossier to replace it with a new one or supplement the submitted dossier. The replacement of the new dossier and supplementation must be completed before the dossier submission deadline as prescribed; supplementary documents are part of the dossier.

Article 9. Opening and verification of the validity of the registration dossier for selection and direct assignment of research topics and projects

1. Within ten working days from the end date of the submission period for selection and direct assignment, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment will proceed to open, check, and verify the validity of the dossier with the participation of representatives of the organizations and individuals registering to participate in selection and direct assignment (if necessary).

2. A valid dossier is one that has been prepared according to the correct forms and meets the requirements stipulated in Article 8 of this Circular.

3. The results of opening the dossier are recorded in a protocol according to model B7.BBMHS-BNN issued together with this Circular.

Article 10. Advisory Council for Selecting and Directly Assigning Research Topics and Projects

1. The Minister decides to establish specialized councils to advise on selecting and directly assigning research topics and projects.

2. Composition of the advisory council for selecting and directly assigning

a) The advisory council consists of five or seven members including the chairman, vice-chairman, two reviewing members, one scientific secretary, and other council members. The council composition includes reputable experts with responsibility, appropriate qualifications and expertise, representatives from the Ministry's Science and Technology Board, General Department, Specialized Management Department, science management agencies, production and business organizations;

b) In necessary cases, the Minister decides on the number of members and composition of the council different from the provisions in point a of this clause.

3. Individuals in the following cases shall not be members of the council

a) Individuals who have registered to lead or participate in implementing research topics and projects;

b) Individuals belonging to organizations that have registered to lead the implementation of research topics and projects (for special-ranked Institutes, individuals from member Institutes registering to lead the implementation of research topics and projects shall not be council members).

Article 11. Working Methods and Responsibilities of Council Members for Selecting and Directly Assigning

1. Working methods of the council

a) At least two-thirds of the council members must attend council meetings, including the chairman or vice-chairman, reviewing members, and scientific secretary. Written opinions of absent members only serve as references;

b) The chairman of the council presides over council meetings. In the absence of the chairman, the vice-chairman presides over the meeting.

2. Responsibilities of council members: To evaluate honestly, objectively, and fairly; to be individually responsible for their evaluation results and collectively responsible for the council's final conclusion; to keep confidential information related to the evaluation process.

Article 12. Procedures and Contents of Work of the Advisory Council for Selecting and Directly Assigning

1. At least five working days before the meeting to evaluate selection and direct assignment applications, the administrative secretary is responsible for preparing and sending the following documents to council members: Decision to establish the council; excerpt of the approved research topic and project order list; application registration documents for selection or direct assignment; comment form model issued together with this Circular: Model B8a.PNXĐT-BNN (for research topics); Model B8b.PNXĐT/KTCS-BNN (for economic and policy research topics); Model B8c.PNXDA-BNN (for projects).

2. Procedures and contents of work of the council

a) The administrative secretary reads out the decision to establish the council, minutes of opening the files, introduces the council composition and attending representatives;

b) A representative from the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment outlines requirements and main contents regarding the selection and direct assignment of research topics and projects;

c) The council agrees on the working principles of the council;

d) Reviewing members and council members present comments on each file and compare between registration files for the same scientific and technological task;

đ) The scientific secretary reads out written comments of absent members (if any) for the council to consider and refer to;

e) The council discusses and evaluates each file according to the prescribed evaluation criteria. During discussions, the council may ask questions to reviewing members and council members about their comments;

g) Council members independently score each file according to Model B9a.PĐGĐT-BNN for technical science research topics; Model B9b.PĐGĐT/KTCS-BNN for economic and policy research topics; Model B9c.PĐGDA-BNN for projects issued together with this Circular and vote to score each file through secret ballot;

h) The council elects a counting committee consisting of three council members, including one head and two members. The administrative secretary assists the counting committee in its work;

i) Summarize the results of the selection and direct assignment evaluation;

k) The council approves the minutes and recommendations to the organization and individual leaders implementing research topics and projects:

3. The Department of Science, Technology, and Environment compiles a report to the Ministry on the results of the advisory council for selecting and directly assigning.

Article 13. Notification to organizations and individuals to complete application files for selection and direct assignment of research topics and projects

Based on the approval of the Minister regarding the results of the advisory board, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment shall notify organizations and individuals in charge to complete the explanation file and budget estimate within 15 working days for submission to the Ministry for content and financial review.

Article 14. Review of Content and Budget and Approval of Research Topics and Projects

1. The Department of Science, Technology and Environment shall submit to the Minister for decision to establish a Review Team for the content and budget of research topics and projects. The Review Team includes representatives from the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, the Financial Department, the General Administration, and representatives of the advisory board for selection and direct assignment. The head of the Review Team is the leader of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, and the deputy head of the Review Team is the leader of the Financial Department.

2. The principles of operation and responsibilities of the Review Team are stipulated in Article 13 of Circular No. 10/2014/TT-BKHCN dated May 30, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology on the selection and direct assignment of organizations and individuals to implement national science and technology tasks funded by the state budget.

3. The Review Team shall prepare a record of review of the research topic according to Model B12a.BBTĐĐT-BNN or a record of review of the project according to Model B12b.BBTĐDA-BNN attached to this Circular.

4. On the basis of the results of the Review Team, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment shall submit to the Minister for approval of the list and budget for implementation of research topics and projects (including: name of the topic and project; organization and individual in charge; objectives; expected results; implementation period; total budget and annual budget). Within ten days from the date of the approval decision, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment shall be responsible for publishing on the Ministry's electronic portal.

5. Organizations and individuals in charge of implementing research topics and projects shall be responsible for completing the file within thirty days (from the date of the approval decision on the list and budget for implementation of research topics and projects) and submitting to the scientific management agency to proceed with approval, signing contracts, serving as the basis for arranging implementation plans.

6. The leading scientific management agency shall coordinate with related units to approve the overall explanation of research topics and projects:

a) The Department of Science, Technology and Environment and the Financial Department shall approve the explanation of research topics and projects directly managed by the Ministry;

b) The General Administrations shall approve the explanation of research topics and projects assigned to manage.

Article 15. Contracts for Implementation of Research Topics and Projects

1. Based on the approved overall explanation and total budget of the research topic and project:

a) The Department of Science, Technology and Environment shall lead and coordinate with related units to sign contracts with organizations and individuals in charge of implementing research topics and projects directly managed by the Ministry;

b) The specialized General Administrations shall lead and coordinate with related units to sign contracts with organizations and individuals in charge of implementing research topics and projects assigned to manage.

2. Scientific research and technological development contracts for implementing research topics and projects shall be made according to the model prescribed in Circular No. 05/2014/TT-BKHCN dated April 10, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology on the issuance of scientific research and technological development contract models.

Shall not participate in selection and direct assignment for a period of one year if the evaluation acceptance report for the Ministry-level or national-level science and technology task is submitted late by more than thirty days beyond the contract research completion deadline without the approval of the Ministry of Science and Technology (for national-level tasks) or the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (for Ministry-level tasks).

Shall not participate in selection and direct assignment for a period of three years (from the date of the conclusion of the competent authority) if there is misconduct leading to suspension of task implementation; does not deploy the application of scientific research and technological development results into production according to the scientific research and technological development contract.

Shall not participate in selection and direct assignment for a period of two years if the obligation to register and retain the results of state-budget-funded science and technology tasks is not fulfilled; does not report on the application of task results as prescribed.

Shall not participate in registration for selection and direct assignment for a period of one year if the Ministry-level or national-level science and technology task is suspended midway due to subjective reasons of the research topic/project leader.

Shall not participate in registration for selection and direct assignment for a period of two years if the evaluation acceptance report for the Ministry-level or national-level science and technology task is submitted late by more than thirty days beyond the contract research completion deadline without the approval of the Ministry of Science and Technology (for national-level tasks) or the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (for Ministry-level tasks); does not fulfill the obligation to register and retain the results of the accepted research topic/project.

does not fulfill the obligation to register and retain the results of the accepted research topic/project; Shall not participate in registration for selection and direct assignment for a period of three years if the Ministry-level or national-level science and technology task is evaluated at the level of "unsatisfactory" from the date of the conclusion of the evaluation acceptance committee at the Ministry level.

Shall not participate in registration for selection and direct assignment for a period of five years (counting from the date of the decision of the competent authority) if the Ministry-level or national-level science and technology task led by oneself has misconduct leading to suspension of implementation.

Additionally, the advisory board has an administrative secretary preparing materials and organizing advisory board meetings.

The ballot counting team shall compile and report to the board the ballot counting results according to Model B10a.BBKPĐGHS-BNN issued together with this Circular.

The board shall rank the applications that have been evaluated based on their average scores from high to low according to Model B10b.BTHKPĐGHS-BNN issued together with this Circular according to the following principles:

Applications with the same average score shall be ranked higher if they have a higher score from the chairman of the board (or the vice-chairman's score, in case the chairman is absent).

In the case where the chairman's points (or the vice-chairman's points, in the absence of the chairman) for identical files and equally ranked councils are the same, the council shall recommend a selection plan.

The organization or individual proposed by the council to be the main host is the organization or individual with the highest average total score and must have an average total score of at least 70/100 across all criteria. None of the criteria can have more than one-third of the council members present giving zero points (0 points).

The council discusses and unanimously recommends the following contents: points that need to be supplemented or amended in the project topic description; primary scientific and technological products with corresponding economic-technical indicators that must be achieved; funding for implementing the project topic; points that need attention for the main host organization or individual to complete the file properly.

The council records the minutes of the meeting according to model B11.BBHDDGH-BNN issued together with this Circular and sends it to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

REPORTING, INSPECTION, ADJUSTMENT, AND FINAL EVALUATION

Article 16. Reporting System

1. The main host organization of the project topic reports progress results to the Science Management Agency before May 30 and before November 30 each year, or reports promptly when required. If the main host organization fails to report progress as prescribed from two times or more, funding for the implementation of the task will be suspended and handled according to regulations.

2. Detailed content of periodic reports according to model B13.BCDK-BNN issued together with this Circular.

3. Upon completion of the project topic, the main host organization or individual must finalize the reports stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 21 of this Circular.

Article 17. Inspection and Evaluation During Implementation of Project Topics

1. Content of inspection and evaluation is carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BKHCN dated March 11, 2015, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on the inspection, evaluation, adjustment, and termination of contracts during the implementation of national science and technology tasks using state budget funds.

2. Principles of inspection and evaluation are carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BKHCN dated March 11, 2015, of the Ministry of Science and Technology on the inspection, evaluation, adjustment, and termination of contracts during the implementation of national science and technology tasks using state budget funds.

3. Participants in inspection and evaluation

a) For topics and projects directly managed by the Ministry

b) For topics and projects managed by the General Department

4. Time of inspection and evaluation

a) Annually once since the date the contract becomes effective.

b) Mid-term inspection and evaluation;

c) Promptly upon request of the Minister.

5. The inspection team is responsible for recording the minutes according to model B14.BBKT-BNN issued together with this Circular, recommending adjustments to research content and handling measures (if necessary). The inspection record is part of the annual result evaluation and final acceptance file.

6. Inspection and evaluation costs during the implementation of project topics are funded from the science business expenses.

Article 18. Adjustment of Research Topics and Projects

1. The leading unit implementing the research topic or project shall submit directly or through postal service a written request for adjustment to the Department of Science, Technology and Environment (for research topics and projects managed directly by the Ministry) or the specialized General Department (for research topics and projects assigned for management).

2. The specialized General Department shall prepare a written report to the Ministry (through the Department of Science, Technology and Environment) when adjusting the contents stipulated in Clause 4 of this Article.

3. Within twenty working days, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment shall issue a written response to the leading unit implementing the research topic or project.

4. The Department of Science, Technology and Environment shall submit to the Minister for consideration and decision on the following adjustments:

a) Adjustment of the implementation period of the research topic or project may only be carried out once, not exceeding twelve months for tasks with an implementation period of twenty-four months or more, and not exceeding six months for tasks with an implementation period under twenty-four months. In special cases, the Minister shall decide;

b) Changing the head of the research topic or project may be carried out in the following cases: studying or working abroad for over six months; being sick or ill (with confirmation from a health authority) and unable to manage the research activities; violating financial management principles; failing to complete the progress and content of the task according to the order without a valid reason or violating the law requiring suspension of work. The new head of the research topic or project must comply with the provisions set forth in Clause 2, Article 7 of this Circular;

c) The budget estimate for implementing the research topic or project may be adjusted when there is a change in content, volume, rate, price, or due to external factors such as natural disasters or epidemics leading to changes in the budget estimates of the contents, items, or the total budget estimate. The adjustment of the budget estimate shall be carried out in accordance with current state regulations and those of the Ministry on financial management.

5. Adjustments to the explanatory content that do not alter the objectives or products of the research topic or project shall be implemented by the Department of Science, Technology and Environment (for research topics and projects managed directly by the Ministry) or the specialized General Department (for research topics and projects assigned for management).

Article 19. Evaluation and Acceptance of Research Results

1. Self-evaluation of research results

2. Ministry-level acceptance dossier

3. Quantity, deadline for submission of dossier, and acceptance time

5. Method, procedure, content of work, and responsibilities of the council:

a) At least seven working days before the evaluation session, council members shall be provided with the entire acceptance dossier of the research topic or project. Council members shall write comments on the research results according to the form issued together with this Circular: Form B20a.PNXKQĐTDA-BNN (for research topics or projects) or Form B20b.PNXKQĐT/KTCS-BNN (for research topics in the field of economic policy);

b) The method of work of the Ministry-level acceptance council shall be governed by Article 11 of this Circular;

c) Procedure and content of work of the evaluation and acceptance council:

d) Responsibilities of members of the Ministry-level acceptance council shall be governed by Article 23 of Circular No. 11/2014/TT-BKHCN dated May 30, 2014 of the Ministry of Science and Technology on the evaluation and acceptance of results of national science and technology tasks funded by the state budget.

Article 20. Handling of Evaluation Results at the Ministry Level

1. For projects and topics rated at level "Pass" or higher, within thirty working days from the date of the Ministry-level evaluation results, the leading organization and the project or topic head shall complete the files according to the opinions and conclusions of the evaluation and acceptance committee and submit them to the scientific management agency.

2. For projects and topics rated at level "Fail," the scientific management agency shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant units to determine the extent of violations and handle them in accordance with Circular Joint No. 93/2006/TTLT/BTC-BKHCN dated October 4, 2006, issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology, guiding the budget allocation system for science and technology projects funded by the state budget; Circular Joint No. 22/2011/TTLT/BTC-BKHCN dated February 21, 2011, issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology, guiding financial management for pilot production projects supported by the state budget, and other current regulations.

3. Leading organizations and project or topic heads whose implementation results are rated at level "Fail" or who fail to submit the application file for evaluation and acceptance to the scientific management agency within the prescribed time shall not be eligible to participate in the selection and direct assignment as stipulated in Article 8 of this Circular.

Article 21. Submission of Products, Recognition of Results, Retention of Files, and Termination of Contracts for Projects and Topics

1. Within thirty working days from the date of successful acceptance at level "Pass" or higher, the project or topic head shall carry out the submission of products and retention of files as follows:

a) Register to retain the results of the project or topic in accordance with Circular No. 14/2014/TT-BKHCN dated June 11, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology, regarding the collection, registration, retention, and publication of information on science and technology tasks;

b) Submit a copy of the Certificate of Registration of the Implementation Results of State Budget-Funded Science and Technology Tasks to the scientific management agency;

c) Retain at the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment of the General Administration (for projects and topics managed by the General Administration) and the Information and Statistics Center (Library of the Ministry), a set of files including: comprehensive report and summary report of the implementation results, scientific products of the project or topic (paper and electronic versions);

2. Based on the minutes of acceptance and the documents specified in points b and c of Clause 1 of this Article, the scientific management agency shall submit to the Minister for decision to recognize the implementation results of the project or topic according to Model B24.CNKQĐTDA-BNN attached to this Circular.

3. The scientific management agency shall terminate the contract for implementing the project or topic in accordance with Circular No. 05/2014/TT-BKHCN dated April 10, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

4. The scientific management agency has the responsibility to publish the main research results of the project or topic on the Ministry's electronic information website.

5. Publication shall be carried out in accordance with Circular No. 14/2015/TT-BKHCN dated June 11, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology, regarding the collection, registration, retention, and publication of information on science and technology tasks; the use of project or topic implementation results shall be carried out in accordance with Circular No. 15/2014/TT-BKHCN dated June 13, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology, regarding the procedures and formalities for transferring ownership and usage rights of state-budget-funded scientific research and technological development results and current regulations.

Representatives of the leadership and staff of the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment; representatives of the Financial Department of the General Administration or the specialized management department and representatives of the specialized science and technology council board (if necessary).

Representatives of the leadership and staff of the Department of Science and Technology International Cooperation, the Department of Planning and Finance, the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment, and representatives of the specialized science and technology council board (if necessary).

The leading organization of the project or topic (hereinafter referred to as the Leading Organization) shall self-evaluate the implementation results of the project or topic according to points a, c, and d of Clause 5 of this Article before submitting the evaluation and acceptance application file to the managing unit and bear responsibility before the Minister for the self-evaluation results.

The self-evaluation results shall be compiled and reported according to Model B15.BCTĐG-BNN attached to this Circular.

Request for acceptance of the project or topic by the leading organization.

Self-evaluation report on the implementation results of the project or topic (Model B15.BCTĐG-BNN).

Comprehensive report (Model B16.BCTK-BNN).

Summary report (Model B17.BCTT-BNN); Scientific products of the project or topic.

Related documents include: statistical report according to Model B18.BCTKE-BNN; project or topic budget report according to Model B19.BCKP-BNN attached to this Circular; inspection minutes; special reports, technical reports (if any); periodic reports; scientific research and technological development contracts; overall description of the approved project or topic; original data, experiment logs, foreign survey reports (if any), comments from enterprises and localities (if any).

The leading organization of the project or topic shall submit eight sets of files (one original and seven copies) to the scientific management agency within thirty days from the end date of the project or topic implementation period as decided in the approved list and budget or adjusted extension period (if any).

The Ministry-level acceptance must be completed within a maximum of thirty days from the date the scientific management agency receives the valid file.

The Minister decides to establish the evaluation and acceptance committee for the project or topic (hereinafter referred to as the acceptance committee);

The composition of the acceptance committee is regulated in Clause 2, Article 10 of this Circular. Individuals participating in the project may not be members of the committee. The leading organization of the project may have no more than one person participating in the committee and may not serve as chairman, vice-chairman, reviewer, or scientific secretary.

The scientific secretary reads the decision to establish the committee, introduces the members, and the attendees;

Representatives of the management agencies make statements (if any);

The Chairman of the Council (or the Vice-Chairman of the Council in the absence of the Chairman) shall preside over the session to evaluate according to the following procedures:

Members shall read their comments on the topic or project; the Scientific Secretary shall read the comments of absent members (if any) for the Council's reference;

Members of the Council shall express their opinions on the results of the topic or project;

Members of the Council shall assess the results of the topic or project according to Model B21.PDGKQDTDA-BNN issued together with this Circular;

The Council shall elect a counting board consisting of three members of the Council, including one head of the board;The Council shall proceed with voting to evaluate the results of the topic or project. The counting board shall compile and report the counting results according to Model B22.BBKPKQDTDA-BNN issued together with this Circular;

The Council shall record the minutes of the meeting according to Model B23.BBDGKQDTDA-BNN issued together with this Circular;

The Council shall discuss to unify each conclusion content and approve the minutes;

The scientific management agency shall coordinate with the Chairman of the Evaluation and Acceptance Council to inspect and supervise the completion of the evaluation dossier of the topic or project. The Chairman of the Council shall confirm the completion of the dossier of the topic or project leader;

MANAGEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR TOPICS AND PROJECTS

Article 22. Management of financial resources for topics and projects

1. Financial management for topics and projects shall be carried out in accordance with current State regulations and those of the Ministry applicable to each type of topic or project and the type of organization leading the implementation of the topic or project;

2. Specifically, for settlement, organizations leading the implementation of topics or projects must meet the following conditions:

a) Settlement according to the fiscal year: confirmation from the direct superior management agency (for organizations leading the implementation of topics or projects under the Ministry) or from the funding organization (for organizations leading the implementation of topics or projects not under the Ministry) regarding the results of implementing the contents in the year;

b) Settlement of completed topics or projects: topics or projects can only be settled when they have been evaluated by the acceptance council at a satisfactory level or higher;

1. The Department of Science, Technology and Environment shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant units to perform the following tasks:

a) Drafting and submitting to the Ministry for issuance the list of topics and projects and being responsible before the Minister for the list of topics and projects;

b) Selecting and directly assigning organizations and individuals to lead the implementation of topics and projects;

c) Reviewing the content and budget for implementing topics and projects; submitting to the Minister for approval the list and budget for implementing topics and projects and being responsible before the Minister for the list and budget for implementing topics and projects;

d) Approving the Detailed Description and Budget Estimate for topics and projects directly managed by the Ministry;

đ) Announcing the content and budget for topics and projects;

g) Adjusting topics and projects in accordance with Article 18 of this Circular;

h) Inspecting, evaluating, accepting, and terminating contracts for implementing topics and projects directly managed by the Ministry and being responsible before the Minister for the results of inspection, evaluation, acceptance, and termination of contracts; submitting to the Minister for decision on recognizing the results of implementing topics and projects;

i) Publishing outstanding research results of topics and projects every three years;

k) Guiding, organizing the implementation, and supervising the execution of this Circular;

2. The Finance Department:

a) Providing guidance on financial operations and current State regulations for organizations and individuals participating in implementing topics and projects;

b) Coordinating with the Department of Science, Technology and Environment to review the content and budget for implementing topics and projects; approving the Detailed Description and Budget Estimate for topics and projects directly managed by the Ministry;

c) Taking the lead in allocating budgets and settling financial matters for topics and projects;

d) Coordinating supervision, inspection, and auditing of the implementation of topics and projects;

3. General Departments and Sectoral Departments:

a) Drafting the list of topics and projects and methods of implementation and being responsible before the Minister for the proposed list;

b) Coordinating with the Department of Science, Technology and Environment to select and directly assign topics and projects; reviewing the content and budget for topics and projects; evaluating and accepting the results of implementation;

c) Approving the Detailed Description and Budget Estimate, signing contracts for topics and projects under their management;

d) Inspecting, evaluating, accepting the results of implementation, and submitting to the Ministry for recognition of the results of implementation of topics and projects according to the Ministry's management hierarchy;

đ) Reporting results to the Ministry (through the Department of Science, Technology and Environment) twice annually, before June 15 and December 15, and reporting ad hoc as required by the Ministry;

e) Organizing the reception and being responsible for applying the results of commissioned topics and projects. Summarizing and reporting the application results annually to the Ministry (through the Department of Science, Technology and Environment);

4. Institutes, Academies, Schools: Shall be responsible for proposing the list of topics and projects within their research fields and being responsible before the Minister for the proposed list of topics and projects.

1. Shall be responsible for effectively implementing assigned research topics and projects; shall be accountable to the Minister for the products ordered by the Ministry.

2. Shall organize inspection, evaluation, acceptance, and be accountable to the Minister for the results of accepting research topics and projects.

3. Shall be accountable under the law and to the Minister for the legality and appropriateness of the results and the use of funds for research topics and projects.

4. Shall directly manage the implementation of research topics and projects including: assigning tasks, signing contracts with organizations or individuals involved; approving bidding results, repairs, procurement of machinery, equipment, raw materials, chemicals, tools according to regulations; supervising progress and inspecting implementation, reporting as required, organizing annual acceptance and issuing certificates.

5. Shall enjoy copyright benefits for scientific works managed by themselves according to the law and may use management funds for research topics and projects as stipulated.

6. When necessary, shall propose to the Minister to adjust the content, budget, time frame, and principal investigator of research topics and projects.

1. Shall implement the contents of research topics and projects according to the approved description and signed contracts, using funds in accordance with the provisions of the law.

2. Shall report fully, as required, and on time about the content, progress, products created, and financial situation of research topics and projects.

3. Shall submit financial reports as currently prescribed and be responsible for providing complete documentation for inspection, audit when requested.

4. Shall enjoy copyright benefits for scientific works created by themselves and supplementary allowances as prescribed by the law.