Circular No. 20/2011/TT-BKHCN on the organization and operation of the Steering Committee for National Key Science and Technology Programs during the period 2011-2015

 

CIRCULAR

Article 24Prescribes the organization and operation of the Steering Committee for the National Key Scientific and Technological Program for the period 2011-2015 and key technologies at the national level for the period from 2011 to 2015

Decree No. Decree No. 28/2008/NĐ-CP dated March 14, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

dated August 4, 2025, of the Minister of Home Affairs on measures to organize and guide the implementation of the Law on Encouragement and Reward and Decision No. Circular No. 19/2011/TT-BKHCN dated July 26, 2011 of the Minister of Science and Technology prescribing the management organization of the National Key Scientific and Technological Program for the period 2011-2015;

The Minister of Science and Technology prescribes the organization and operation of the Steering Committee for the National Key Scientific and Technological Program for the period 2011-2015 as follows:

Chapter 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Object and scope of regulation

This Circular stipulates the organization, tasks, powers, and activities of the Steering Committee for the National Key Scientific and Technological Program for the period 2011-2015 (hereinafter referred to as the Steering Committee).

Article 2. Steering Committee

1. The Steering Committee consists of from three to five members, including the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, scientific secretary member, and other members. The Steering Committee is established by the Minister of Science and Technology.

2. The Steering Committee is structured according to the specialized fields of the Program to effectively organize and manage the key research contents of the Program.

3. Members of the Steering Committee must meet the conditions stipulated in Articles 8 and 9 of this Circular and are appointed by the Minister of Science and Technology.

Article 3. Principles and Conditions for Operation of the Steering Committee

1. The Steering Committee operates under the principle of democratic centralism and is responsible to the Minister of Science and Technology for the organization and implementation process, scientific and technological level, and results of the National Key Scientific and Technological Program (hereinafter referred to as the Program).

2. The Steering Committee may organize expert groups with expertise in the key research areas to advise on issues related to the Program's activities.

3. Members of the Steering Committee shall not serve as the head of projects or topics directly managed by the Program.

4. Members of the Steering Committee are provided with material conditions to serve the Program's activities and are entitled to remuneration as prescribed.

Chapter II

TASKS AND POWERS

OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE

Article 4. Chairperson of the Program

1. The Chairperson of the Program is responsible to the Minister of Science and Technology for organizing and directing the activities of the Steering Committee to fulfill the responsibilities and powers of the Steering Committee as stipulated in Article 6 of Circular No. 19/2011/TT-BKHCN dated July 26, 2011 of the Minister of Science and Technology regarding the management organization of the National Key Scientific and Technological Program for the period 2011-2015.

2. The Chairperson of the Program has the following powers and responsibilities:

a) To prescribe measures for leading and directing the activities of the Steering Committee;

b) To prescribe working regulations for members of the Steering Committee;

c) To direct and coordinate the activities of members of the Steering Committee;

d) To decide on convening and chairing meetings of the Steering Committee;

đ) To decide on matters concerning the Program's activities.

Article 5. Deputy Director and Member兼任科学秘书的程序

1. The Deputy Director of the Program shall be authorized to manage the work of the Steering Committee when the Director is absent and perform tasks assigned by the Director.

2. The Member兼任科学秘书shall assist the Director in performing the following tasks:

a) Compile the annual activity plan of the Program;

b) Direct and organize the preparation of regular reports (six-monthly and annually), ad hoc reports (as required by management authorities), mid-term reports, and final summary reports on the implementation of projects under the Program;

c) Guide the drafting of the content of contracts for implementing projects under the Program;

d) Prepare a list of expected members of scientific and technological advisory boards for advising on tasks, selection, review, assessment, and acceptance of projects under the Program;

e) Perform other tasks assigned by the Director.

Article 6. Members of the Steering Committee

Members of the Steering Committee assist the Director in handling tasks as assigned and may be authorized to represent the Steering Committee when necessary.

Article 7. Administrative Secretary of the Steering Committee

1. The Steering Committee has one administrative secretary to assist with its work. The administrative secretary is proposed and selected by the Steering Committee in consultation with the Office of National Key Programs (hereinafter referred to as the Program Office) and enters into a labor contract with the Program Office.

2. The administrative secretary assists the Steering Committee in performing the following tasks:

a) Draft documents within the authority of the Steering Committee;

b) Prepare the annual budget for the activities of the Steering Committee;

c) Prepare materials necessary for meetings and working sessions of the Steering Committee;

d) Record minutes of Steering Committee meetings;

e) Monitor the progress of projects under the Program;

f) Establish and maintain the Program's documentation files;

g) Other tasks assigned by the Steering Committee.

Chapter III

CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR APPOINTING MEMBERS OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE

APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT BOARD

Article 8. Conditions for Appointing Members of the Steering Committee

Members of the Steering Committee must meet the following conditions:

1. Professional Qualifications and Management Capabilities

Members of the Steering Committee must have specialized training relevant to the main field of science and technology of the program and satisfy one of the following conditions:

a) Have led a ministry-level or state-level scientific and technological project that has been accepted or published research domestically and internationally in the last ten years;

b) Be a reputable expert in the research field of the Program and have experience in organizing and implementing tasks related to the management of scientific and technological activities.

2. Health and Time Commitment

a) Have good health to complete the Program's tasks;

b) Not exceed 65 years old, except in special cases decided by the Minister of Science and Technology;

c) Ensure at least 40% of their time for managing the Program.

Article 9. Conditions for Appointing the Head and Deputy Head of the Program

In addition to the conditions for members of the Program Management Board stipulated in Article 8 of this Circular, the Head and Deputy Head of the program must have experience in managing science and technology, demonstrated through participation in one of the following activities:

1. The Management Board of the State-level, ministry-level, or provincial-level key science and technology programs;

2. Managing international science and technology programs or science and technology cooperation programs with foreign countries;

3. Managing science and technology activities at the departmental, bureau, or institute level or higher.

Article 10. Procedure for Establishing the Program Management Board and Appointing Members of the Program Management Board

The establishment of the Program Management Board and the appointment of its members shall be carried out in the following sequence:

1. Introducing and proposing potential members of the Program Management Board.

Based on the conditions for appointing members of the Program Management Board stipulated in Articles 8 and 9 of this Circular, and the recommendations from the community of scientists in the relevant field of the Program.

2. Preparing a list of proposed members of the Program Management Board.

a) Submitting the list of proposed members of the Program Management Board to the Minister of Science and Technology;

b) Seeking the opinions of individuals proposed to serve as the Head and members of the Program Management Board;

c) Compiling information about individuals proposed to join the Program Management Board.

3. Consulting with related agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Sending letters to the following related agencies, organizations, and individuals for their written approval:

a) For those working in agencies or organizations, they must obtain the written approval of the directly managing agency or organization and the individual themselves;

b) For those not working in agencies or organizations, they must provide a written commitment to participate in the Program Management Board.

4. Preparing files for members of the Program Management Board, including the following documents:

a) Scientific curriculum vitae, detailing the contents related to the conditions for members of the Program Management Board stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 8 of this Circular;

b) Commitment letters from members of the Program Management Board regarding their responsibilities to fulfill assigned tasks and the conditions stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 8 and Article 9 of this Circular;

c) Consultation letters from related agencies and organizations and other relevant documents stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 8 and Article 9 of this Circular.

5. Deciding to establish the Program Management Board and appoint members of the Program Management Board.

The Minister of Science and Technology decides to establish the Program Management Board and appoint its members.

6. The Office of Programs, in coordination with functional departments under the Ministry of Science and Technology, organizes the implementation of the contents and procedures stipulated in this Article.

Article 11. Signing Employment Contracts with the Program Management Board

1. The Director of the Office of Programs signs employment contracts with members of the Program Management Board based on the authorization letter from the Minister of Science and Technology.

2. Annually or at any time upon request, the Office of Programs reports to the Minister of Science and Technology on the extent to which members of the Program Management Board have fulfilled their contractual work responsibilities.

Article 12. Supplementing members to the Steering Committee of the Program

In case members of the Steering Committee of the Program fail to meet the conditions for continued participation in the Steering Committee as stipulated in Article 8 of this Circular or fail to complete their tasks according to the signed contracts, the Minister of Science and Technology shall decide to relieve such members from their positions and appoint new members.

The procedures and formalities for appointing new members to the Steering Committee of the Program shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 10 of this Circular.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 13. Implementation Organization

1. This Circular takes effect 45 days from the date of issuance.

2. Directors of Offices of National Key Programs, Heads of Departments of Science and Technology in economic and technical sectors, Heads of Departments of Social Sciences and Natural Sciences, Heads of High-Tech Departments, Heads of Planning and Finance Departments, Chiefs of Office, Heads of subordinate units, Heads of related agencies and organizations, and Steering Committees are responsible for implementing this Circular.

Any difficulties encountered during implementation should be reported to the Ministry of Science and Technology for guidance on implementation./.