Circular No. 19/2013/TT-BKHCN guiding the management of the program to support the development of science and technology enterprises and public scientific and technological organizations implementing the self-management and self-responsibility mechanism

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for managing the program to support the development of science and technology enterprises and public scientific and technological organizations implementing the autonomous and self-responsible mechanism

implementing the autonomous and self-responsible mechanism

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Pursuant to Decree No. 20/2013/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2013 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

Pursuant to Decision No. 592/QD-TTg dated May 22, 2012 of the Prime Minister approving the Program to support the development of science and technology enterprises and public scientific and technological organizations implementing the autonomous and self-responsible mechanism;

Considering the proposal of the Director of the Department of Organization and Cadres and the Director of the Market Development and Science and Technology Enterprise Department;

The Minister of Science and Technology issues this Circular guiding the management of the Program to support the development of science and technology enterprises and public scientific and technological organizations implementing the autonomous and self-responsible mechanism,

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular guides the management of the Program to support the development of science and technology enterprises and public scientific and technological organizations implementing the autonomous and self-responsible mechanism (hereinafter referred to as the Program) approved by Decision No. 592/QD-TTg dated May 22, 2012 of the Prime Minister.

2. This Circular applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals participating in the management and implementation of the Program.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Technology incubation: Is an activity aimed at creating and perfecting prospective practical and commercializable technologies from technological ideas or scientific research and technological development results.

2. Science and technology enterprise incubation: Is an activity supporting organizations and individuals to perfect technology, utilize new technology, mobilize investment capital, organize production and business, market, and perform necessary legal procedures to establish science and technology enterprises.

3. Technology incubation base, science and technology enterprise incubation base: Is an entity capable of providing comprehensive support for all stages of a technology incubation process and science and technology enterprise incubation process.

4. Technology incubation hub, science and technology enterprise incubation hub: Is an entity capable of providing support for one or several stages of a technology incubation process and science and technology enterprise incubation process.

5. Technology decoding: Is the process of researching to identify the production technology of an existing product while ensuring the principle of not infringing intellectual property rights.

6. Project supervising agency:

a) The Ministry of Science and Technology is the supervising agency for projects directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology;

b) Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government agencies (hereinafter referred to as ministries and sectors) are the supervising agencies for projects delegated by the Ministry of Science and Technology to be managed by ministries and sectors;

c) People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities are the supervising agencies for projects delegated by the Ministry of Science and Technology to be managed by localities.

7. Organizations and individuals primarily responsible for implementing projects: Are organizations and individuals who propose projects and are approved by competent authorities to implement the projects.

Article 3. Tasks of the Program

The tasks of the Program include: Groups of projects under the Program and common activities of the Program.

1. Groups of projects under the Program:

a) Projects supporting the establishment of technology incubation bases and hubs, science and technology enterprise incubation bases and hubs;

b) Projects supporting technology incubation activities and science and technology enterprise incubation activities;

c) Projects supporting the development of science and technology enterprises;

d) Projects supporting public scientific and technological organizations implementing the autonomous and self-responsible mechanism;

đ) Projects serving the management of the Program.

2. Common activities of the Program:

a) Organizing meetings, conferences, seminars, mid-term reviews, and final evaluations of the Program; preparing reports on the evaluation and assessment of the Program;

b) Organizing training courses and capacity building programs for organizations and individuals implementing projects;

c) Organizing programs for field visits, surveys, and learning experiences from successful and exemplary domestic and foreign science and technology enterprises;

d) Activities aimed at directing and organizing the implementation of the Program: including activities of the Steering Committee of the Program and activities of the Program Office.

đ) Implementing scientific and technological tasks to study and propose amendments, supplements, and improvements to mechanisms and policies for developing science and technology enterprises and the autonomous and self-responsible mechanism of public scientific and technological organizations;

e) Other activities in the organization and implementation of the Program.

Article 4. Classification of Project Management under the Program

Projects under the Program shall be classified for management as follows:

1. The group of projects authorized by the Ministry of Science and Technology for ministries and sectors to manage includes projects registered and implemented by organizations and individuals within ministries and sectors, and proposed by ministries and sectors to be authorized to manage, in accordance with the conditions, capacity, and management fields of those ministries and sectors.

2. The group of projects authorized by the Ministry of Science and Technology for localities to manage includes projects of organizations and individuals in localities, carried out within the scope of a province or city, and proposed by provincial or municipal People's Committees to be authorized to manage, in accordance with the organizational capacity and direction of the locality.

3. The group of projects directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology includes projects not covered by Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article and projects of significant importance concerning national defense, security, public health, environmental protection, involving two or more specialized fields, and requiring the participation of experienced scientists and experts in those fields.

Article 5. General Principles in Assigning Implementation of Projects under the Program

1. The project assigned must belong to the group of projects defined in Clause 1 of Article 3 of this Circular.

2. The project's objectives must be clear and quantifiable, with economic and social impacts upon completion.

3. The project must be feasible, wherein the organization or individual primarily implementing the project must meet necessary conditions regarding professional capacity, infrastructure, and finance to ensure implementation.

4. The Program will not support contents of projects already supported by state budget funds.

Chapter II

CRITERIA, CONDITIONS, AND CONTENT OF PROJECTS

BELONGS TO THE PROGRAM CHAPTER

Article 6. Projects Supporting the Establishment of Technology Incubation Centers and Science and Technology Business Incubators

1. Criteria and Conditions:

a) Common criteria and conditions:

- For technology incubation centers and science and technology business incubators that have been established (hereinafter referred to as incubation organizations): Must have a decision on establishment from the competent authority, organizational and operational charter, incubation and business operation plan, and legitimate financial resources to ensure operations;

- For incubation organizations yet to be established: Must have a proposal for establishment (including the incubation and business operation plan and a plan for raising legitimate financial resources to ensure operations).

b) For incubation centers:

- Infrastructure and equipment: Must have a system of infrastructure and equipment suitable for the field of technology incubation (rental offices, basic office equipment; electricity, water, communication systems, laboratories, experimental production areas);

- Finance: Must have legitimate financial resources to ensure regular operational costs of the organization for at least three years;

- Human resources: Must allocate at least one full-time manager with practical experience relevant to the field of incubation and management skills meeting requirements, and a team of consultants in fields such as technology, law, finance, market, and business management suitable for the field of technology incubation implemented by the center.

c) For incubation hubs:

- Infrastructure and equipment: Must have an office and basic equipment to serve the activities of the hub;

- Finance: Must have legitimate financial resources to ensure regular operational costs of the organization for at least two years;

- Human resources: Must have a full-time manager and a team of staff and experts participating in incubation activities meeting requirements in terms of expertise and professional qualifications suitable for the activities and technological fields organized by the hub.

2. Contents Supported by the Project:

a) Consulting, developing, and reviewing projects for establishing incubation centers and hubs;

b) Investing in shared equipment serving the activities of incubation centers and hubs;

c) Training and enhancing knowledge necessary for establishing, managing, and operating incubation activities, and the activities of science and technology businesses (both domestic and international) for managers and workers at incubation centers and hubs;

d) Providing information on technology and technology products domestically and internationally;

đ) Designing and building electronic information websites for incubation centers and hubs.

3. Priority Principles for Assigning Project Implementation:

Priority shall be given to projects having one of the following factors:

a) Incubation centers and hubs belonging to universities, academies, key universities, leading research institutes, or established and jointly managed by these organizations;

b) Incubation centers and hubs supported by ministries, sectors, and localities in terms of resources and implementation organization;

c) Incubation centers and hubs financially supported by financial institutions, investment funds, banks, or implemented through public-private partnership models;

d) Incubation centers and hubs being members of networks of technology incubation organizations and science and technology business incubators both domestically and internationally.

Article 7. Projects supporting technology incubation activities and science and technology business incubation

1. Criteria and Conditions:

a) For projects supporting the development of ideas to create prototypes:

- Proposing ideas and technical solutions to make prototypes (ideas must be clearly explained, have scientific and practical foundations, and appropriate technological solutions to create prototypes);

- Committing to perfecting technology from the created prototypes.

b) For projects researching and perfecting technology for new products:

- Researching and perfecting technology based on inventions, utility models, technical solutions, scientific and technological results, or decoding technological activities;

- Perfecting technology to create new products as a basis for establishing science and technology businesses.

c) For projects incubating science and technology businesses:

- The project is built based on technology legally owned or used by organizations or individuals with the ability to apply and produce for the formation of science and technology businesses;

- Having a registration dossier for a science and technology business. In the dossier, the organizational structure, finance, human resources, and production and business plans of the business to be established must be clearly presented (contents related to scientific and technological results serve as the basis for recognizing a science and technology business).

d) Other criteria and conditions:

- Organizations and individuals must prove their resources and organizational capacity to implement the project;

- The main organizations or individuals responsible for the projects specified in point a and b, Clause 1 of this Article must commit in writing to establish a science and technology business from the technology or new product resulting from the project or transfer that technology to other organizations or individuals to establish a science and technology business.

2. Contents Supported by the Project:

a) Searching for information on technology and technological products domestically and internationally;

b) Conducting experimental research to develop ideas, create prototypes, decode and perfect technology, and apply inventions, utility models, and scientific and technological results;

c) Using equipment and services at national key laboratories, technology incubation facilities, and science and technology business incubation facilities;

d) Consulting activities to perfect technology; consulting to assist in the establishment of science and technology businesses;

đ) Building dossiers to be recognized as science and technology businesses;

e) Advising and guiding successfully incubated science and technology businesses to enjoy preferential policies as prescribed;

g) Training and nurturing both domestically and internationally on establishing, managing, and operating science and technology businesses;

h) Linking training programs with foreign countries to incubate and develop science and technology businesses;

i) Designing and building websites to support the dissemination of information about science and technology businesses and their products.

3. Priority Principles for Assigning Project Implementation:

Priority shall be given to projects in priority technology fields approved by competent authorities.

Article 8. Projects supporting the development of science and technology businesses

1. Criteria and Conditions:

a) Already holding a certificate recognizing a science and technology business;

b) Having a plan for developing production and business operations based on technology legally owned or used by the business.

2. Contents Supported by the Project:

a) Searching for technology information domestically and internationally;

b) Transferring research results with state budget origins to science and technology businesses in need and meeting the conditions for application;

c) Consulting activities for technological innovation; consulting for the development of science and technology businesses; consulting to support businesses in enjoying preferential policies as prescribed;

d) Training, nurturing, and conducting workshops both domestically and internationally on professional skills, management, organization, and operation of production and business activities; on intellectual property rights, measurement standards, quality control, and brand building for science and technology businesses;

đ) Designing and building websites to support the dissemination of information about science and technology businesses and their products.

Article 9. Projects to support public scientific and technological organizations implementing the autonomous and self-responsibility mechanism

1. Criteria and Conditions:

a) The subject participating in the project is a public scientific and technological organization as prescribed in Decree No. 115/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 5, 2005 of the Government;

b) Scientific and technological organizations that have developed proposals but have not yet been approved by competent authorities.

2. Contents Supported by the Project:

a) Developing and perfecting the proposal for implementing the autonomous and self-responsibility mechanism;

b) Advising and guiding the development of orientation for growth, combining research with production and business when transitioning to implement the autonomous and self-responsibility mechanism;

c) Training, enhancing, and conducting workshops to improve professional expertise, management skills, organizational and operational activities, intellectual property rights, standards, measurement, quality control, brand building and development;

d) Resolving policies for surplus labor when transitioning to implement the autonomous and self-responsibility mechanism:

- Financial support for employees retiring early, transferring to work at non-public organizations, or immediately resigning;

- Funding for training, retraining, and job search assistance for employees.

Article 10. Projects serving the management of the Program

1. Criteria and Conditions:

a) Meeting human resource and material conditions to carry out surveys, data collection, database construction, information dissemination;

b) Having scientific methods for surveys, analysis, and evaluation.

2. Contents Supported by the Project:

a) Providing information and disseminating about the Program and the results of projects under the Program;

b) Surveying, identifying, classifying individuals and organizations with potential to form scientific and technological enterprises; surveying, statistics, evaluating, and classifying public scientific and technological organizations under ministries, sectors, and localities;

c) Building databases on scientific and technological enterprises and public scientific and technological organizations;

d) Providing domestic and international technology and product information.

Chapter III

PROPOSAL AND ASSIGNMENT OF PROJECTS UNDER THE PROGRAM

Article 11. Announcing projects under the Program

Based on the objectives, contents, and implementation plans of the Program, the Ministry of Science and Technology announces projects under the Program through mass media and the Ministry's website (www.most.gov.vn).

Article 12. Proposing, assigning, and implementing projects

1. On the basis of the announcement by the Ministry of Science and Technology regarding projects under the Program, organizations and individuals with the capacity to implement projects shall submit project files to the competent authority as follows:

a) For projects led by organizations and individuals under ministries and sectors, project files shall be submitted to the managing agency of the organization or individual (through the science and technology management units of the ministries and sectors);

b) For projects implemented by organizations and individuals at the provincial level, project files shall be submitted to the People's Committee of the province (through the Department of Science and Technology);

c) For projects by organizations and individuals not falling within the scope specified in points a and b of Clause 1 of this Article, project files shall be directly submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

2. Ministries, sectors, and Provincial People's Committees shall, based on the objectives, contents of the Program, and actual conditions and needs of their respective ministries, sectors, and localities, announce and guide organizations and individuals participating in the Program; incorporate projects into annual science and technology plans of their ministries, sectors, and localities; compile lists of projects and submit them along with project files to the Ministry of Science and Technology (through the Program Office) for consideration and decision-making. The deadline for submitting the list and project files is no later than June 20 each year.

In cases of urgent and unplanned projects, ministries, sectors, and Provincial People's Committees shall submit lists and project files to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consideration and support from the National Science and Technology Development Fund and the National Technology Innovation Fund if the project content aligns with the support criteria of these Funds.

3. Annually, based on the objectives and contents of the Program, and on the recommendations of ministries, sectors, and localities, and explanations in the project files:

a) The Ministry of Science and Technology compiles a list of projects, establishes a review board to assess project files;

b) The Ministry of Science and Technology decides whether to directly manage or delegate management of projects to ministries, sectors, or localities according to the分级任务如下：

- For projects directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry approves the budget for project implementation and incorporates the projects into the annual plan; directly manages, monitors, and inspects the implementation of the projects;

- For projects delegated to ministries, sectors, or localities to manage, the Ministry of Science and Technology approves the budget for project implementation from the Program budget and assigns it to the ministries, sectors, or localities to directly manage, monitor, and inspect the implementation of the projects.

4. The Program Office signs contracts to implement projects with the main organizations or individuals responsible for the projects that are directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Ministries, sectors, and Departments of Science and Technology of provinces and centrally-administered cities sign contracts to implement projects with the main organizations or individuals responsible for the projects that are delegated to ministries, sectors, or localities to manage.

5. Based on the project implementation contracts, the main organizations or individuals responsible for the projects organize the implementation in accordance with the approved content, objectives, and plans.

Article 13. Project dossier

1. The project dossier includes:

a) Application form for implementing the project (according to the model attached as Appendix I to this Circular);

b) Project description (according to the model attached as Appendix II to this Circular);

c) Documents proving the ability to mobilize funds from other sources (in cases where the project implementation budget needs to be mobilized from sources other than the Program's budget).

2. Number of project dossiers: one original set.

3. The project dossier shall be submitted directly or through postal service to the competent authority specified in Clause 1, Article 12 of this Circular.

Article 14. Evaluation of the project dossier

1. The evaluation of the project dossier to assign the organization or individual in charge of implementation shall be conducted through the Appraisal Board or by seeking expert opinions.

2. The Appraisal Board for the project dossier:

a) The Appraisal Board shall be established by the Minister of Science and Technology, consisting of nine members, including two opposing members with the following structure:

- Members of the board are representatives of units under the Ministry of Science and Technology (maximum not exceeding one-third of the total number of members);

- Members of the board are representatives of units under ministries, sectors, and localities related to the field of the project; scientists and experts experienced in the field of the project (minimum two-thirds of the total number of members).

b) Organizations or individuals proposing to be in charge of implementing the project shall not participate in the Appraisal Board.

3. The evaluation of project dossiers shall be carried out by comparing the dossier with the criteria, conditions, contents, objectives, quantity, and funding sources of the Program.

Article 15. Decision on assignment of the organization or individual in charge of implementing the project

Based on the evaluation of the project dossier, the Ministry of Science and Technology shall consider and decide to assign the organization or individual in charge of implementing the project and the project implementation budget.

Article 16. Announcement of the list of projects

The Ministry of Science and Technology shall announce the list of projects of the Program on the Ministry of Science and Technology’s electronic portal (www.most.gov.vn).

The main content of the announced project list includes: name and code of the project; name and address of the organization or individual in charge of implementing the project; summary of the project's objectives, requirements, content, implementation time, and expected products.

Article 17. Code of the project under the Program

The code of the project under the Program is recorded as follows:

1. CT-592.DABKHCN.X.Y: Is the code of the project under the Program managed directly by the Ministry of Science and Technology;

2. CT-592.DABN.X.Y: Is the code of the project under the Program managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology delegating to ministries and sectors;

3. CT-592.DAĐP.X.Y: Is the code of the project under the Program managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology delegating to localities.

Where:

- CT-592: Is the common code for the Program supporting the development of science and technology enterprises and public scientific and technological organizations implementing the self-management and responsibility mechanism;

- X: Is the serial number of the project;

- Y: Is the year the project begins implementation.

(Example: CT-592.DABN.01.2014: Project No. 01 in 2014 managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology delegating to ministries and sectors).

Chapter IV

MANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRAM

Article 18. Content and management methods of the Program

1. Management of projects under the Program includes: activities of proposal, construction, and approval of the project list for implementation of the Program; assignment of the organization or individual in charge of implementing the project; signing contracts; monitoring and supervising the implementation of the project; managing the budget; evaluating and accepting the results of project implementation; terminating contracts and other relevant contents as prescribed by law.

2. Management of the planning and organization of common activities of the Program.

Article 19. Managing Authority of the Program

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology is the main authority responsible for unified management of the Program through organizing and implementing projects and common activities of the Program.

2. The Program has a Steering Committee established by the Minister of Science and Technology, with the Minister serving as Chairperson, a Vice Minister of Science and Technology as Deputy Chairperson, and members of the Steering Committee including representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

3. The Steering Committee has an Office of the Program located at the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Office of the Program assists the Steering Committee and the Minister of Science and Technology in managing and organizing the implementation of the Program. The main tasks of the Office of the Program include:

a) Submitting to the Chairperson of the Steering Committee for approval of the work program of the Steering Committee, preparing the necessary content and conditions for the activities of the Steering Committee. Organizing the implementation of common activities of the Program;

b) Proposing the establishment and organization of evaluation boards to review project applications; evaluating and accepting the results of project implementation under the Program;

c) Developing plans and budget estimates for annual common activities of the Program; compiling the Program's budget estimate; compiling the annual settlement of the Program's budget for submission to the Steering Committee and the Ministry of Science and Technology; proposing adjustments to the content, time, and budget of projects and common activities of the Program when necessary;

d) Preparing contracts for project implementation and signing contracts for projects directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology according to the authorization of the Minister of Science and Technology; coordinating and guiding ministries, sectors, provincial science and technology departments under the central government to sign contracts for projects authorized to be managed by ministries, sectors, and localities;

đ) Organizing inspections of the implementation of projects directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and participating in periodic or spot inspections of projects authorized to be managed by ministries, sectors, and localities when necessary;

e) Serving as the point of contact for receiving and summarizing proposals and recommendations from organizations and individuals primarily responsible for implementing projects directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and issues related to the establishment, management, and operation of the Program.

Specific regulations regarding the establishment, organization, and operation of the Program Office shall be decided by the Chairperson of the Steering Committee and the Minister of Science and Technology.

Article 20. Tasks and Authorities of the Ministry of Science and Technology

1. Directing and managing the organization of the Program's implementation according to the division of labor assigned by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 592/QD-TTg dated May 22, 2012 approving the Program to support the development of science and technology enterprises and public scientific and technological organizations operating on an autonomous basis.

2. Guiding organizations and individuals in registering to participate in and implement the Program.

3. Compiling a list of projects, establishing an evaluation board for project applications, deciding on the approval of projects, and determining the level of project management according to Article 4 of this Circular.

4. Reviewing the content and budget estimate of the Program's tasks; approving the content and budget support for projects directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the content and budget for common activities of the Program.

5. Reviewing the content and level of financial support from the central state budget for science and technology affairs for projects delegated to ministries, sectors, and localities to manage.

6. Inspecting and supervising the operation of the Program; coordinating with ministries, sectors, and provincial people's committees in inspecting and supervising the implementation of projects under the Program.

7. Auditing and settling the budget of projects under the Program directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the budget for common activities of the Program.

8. Approving bidding plans for purchasing materials and equipment using funds from the central state budget for science and technology affairs for projects directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology according to current regulations.

9. Adjusting the objectives, content, budget items, and progress of projects under the Program directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology that have been approved, suspending and canceling contracts when necessary, and handling financial issues of suspended or canceled projects.

10. Establishing evaluation boards to assess and accept the results of project implementation under the Program managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

11. Organizing mid-term reviews, evaluations, and final summaries of the Program.

Article 21. Tasks and Authorities of the Steering Committee for the Program

1. Elaborate the objectives and contents of the Program as determined in Decision No. 592/QĐ-TTg dated May 22, 2012 of the Prime Minister to serve as a basis for selecting and allocating projects under the Program for implementation in annual plans.

2. Develop the implementation plan for the Program and organize common activities of the Program.

3. Organize coordination and integration of scientific and technological activities within the scope of the Program with other related programs and projects.

4. Direct the project managing agencies to implement the projects in accordance with approved objectives, contents, schedules, and budgets.

5. Assist the Ministry of Science and Technology in urging, inspecting, evaluating, certifying, and summarizing the completion of projects. Propose measures to handle issues arising during the implementation of the Program.

6. Propose to the Ministry of Science and Technology forms of reward for organizations and individuals with outstanding achievements and propose measures to handle violations during the organization, management, and implementation of the Program.

Article 22. Tasks and Authorities of Ministries and Sectors

1. Guide organizations and individuals under their management to register participation in the Program.

2. Compile project files and lists of projects registered for participation in the Program by organizations and individuals under their management and propose to be authorized to manage projects within the list to be submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

3. Manage and organize the implementation of projects authorized to manage according to the Program's objectives and contents.

4. Create favorable conditions and support organizations and individuals implementing projects.

5. Coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology in organizing, monitoring, and supervising the implementation of projects by organizations and individuals under their management.

6. Periodically every six months and annually compile the situation and results of project implementation by organizations and individuals under their management to be submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Article 23. Tasks and Authorities of Provincial People's Committees and Municipal People's Committees under Central Government

1. Compile project files and lists of projects at the local level (according to the model attached as Appendix III to this Circular) and propose to be authorized to manage projects within the list to be submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consideration and decision.

2. Direct the provincial/municipal Department of Science and Technology and relevant departments to organize the implementation of projects approved and authorized to manage by the Ministry of Science and Technology according to the Program's objectives and contents.

3. Allocate local budget funds to implement centrally authorized projects managed by the locality and funds for local Program management activities.

4. Create favorable conditions for organizations and individuals implementing projects under the Program.

Article 24. Tasks and Authorities of Departments of Science and Technology

1. Assist the provincial/municipal People's Committee:

a) Receive project files at the local level; examine, evaluate, and compile the project list to submit to the provincial/municipal People's Committee;

b) Sign contracts, certify, evaluate, and terminate contracts for projects authorized by the Ministry of Science and Technology for local management;

c) Urge and guide the preparation of annual reports, mid-term reports, and final summary reports on the implementation of projects under the Program.

2. Periodically every six months and annually take the lead or coordinate with the Program Office and relevant units under the Ministry of Science and Technology to inspect and evaluate the implementation of projects authorized by the Ministry of Science and Technology for local management; propose to the provincial/municipal People's Committee and the Ministry of Science and Technology measures to handle issues arising during the implementation of projects under the Program.

3. Organize interim summaries and comprehensive evaluations of the results of projects authorized by the Ministry of Science and Technology for local management.

4. Propose to the provincial/municipal People's Committee to recommend the Ministry of Science and Technology to reward organizations and individuals with outstanding achievements during the implementation of tasks and propose measures to handle violations according to regulations.

5. Coordinate with relevant departments to develop mechanisms to support the maintenance, development, and organization of widespread implementation of project outcomes to be submitted to the provincial/municipal People's Committee for decision.

6. Retain files and documents of tasks in accordance with regulations.

Article 25. Tasks and Authorities of Organizations and Individuals in Charge of Implementing the Project

1. General Responsibilities

a) Implement regular and extraordinary reporting systems as prescribed, including:

- Report on the implementation status of the project every six months;

- Report on the volume of work completed annually and settle the annual budget of the project to serve as the basis for further funding;

- Establish a file to evaluate the acceptance of the project's results in accordance with regulations;

- Settle the project's budget.

b) Transfer the results and products of the project in accordance with regulations;

c) Be subject to supervision and inspection of the project's implementation status and tasks by the Ministry of Science and Technology (for projects directly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology) and other ministries, sectors, provincial/municipal People's Committees (for projects delegated to be managed by ministries, sectors, and localities by the Ministry of Science and Technology), the Steering Committee of the Program, and the Program Office.

2. Specific tasks:

a) Carry out the project contents in accordance with the signed contract and approved detailed description; manage and use funds, materials, assets, and settle the project's budget in accordance with regulations;

b) Based on the bidding plan for purchasing materials and equipment approved by competent authorities at all levels, organize the purchase of materials and equipment in accordance with current laws;

c) Mobilize other sources of capital to ensure the implementation of the project together with state budget funds;

d) Evaluate the implementation status of the project and the volume of work carried out according to periodic six-month and annual reports.

Article 26. Handling Arising Issues

1. During the implementation process, if any of the following situations occur, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the parties involved in the main contract for implementing the project have the right to propose adjustments, suspension, or cancellation of the contract:

a) Due to the impact of external conditions such as natural disasters, fires, epidemics leading to organizations and individuals being unable to continue implementing the contract as agreed;

b) Organizations and individuals implementing the task do not meet the material, human resources, financial, and other conditions committed in the contract;

c) Organizations and individuals lack the capacity to manage and implement the contract's contents;

d) Misuse of task funds for purposes other than intended and without ensuring efficiency.

2. Organizations and individuals whose contracts are suspended or canceled must cease all activities and report in writing to the Ministry of Science and Technology about the work already carried out, funds used, and equipment purchased. The Ministry of Science and Technology will consider and decide based on the specific situation of each project and task.

Chapter V

MANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRAM'S BUDGET

Article 27. Management of the Program's Budget

1. The Program's budget must be used for its intended purpose and ensure efficiency according to the approved budget estimate and current financial management regulations.

2. The details of the Program's financial management are specified in the Circular jointly issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 28. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from October 1, 2013.

2. In the course of implementation, if there are difficulties, agencies, organizations, and individuals are requested to report to the Ministry of Science and Technology for examination and amendment to make it appropriate.