Circular No. 25/2023/TT-BKHCN on the management of the National Program for High-Tech Development until 2030

CIRCULAR

Regulations on managing the National Program for High-Tech Development until 2030until 2030

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

Pursuant to the High Technology Law dated November 13, 2008;

Technology;

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

3. The total expenditure for research and development activities annually must reach at least 80% of the annual operational expenditures of the investment project. The contents of the expenditure for research and development activities under this clause are stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 5 of this Circular;

The Minister of Science and Technology issues this Circular regulating the management of the National Program for High-Tech Development until 2030.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular stipulates the management of the National Program for High-Tech Development until 2030 approved by Decision No. 130/QĐ-TTg dated January 27, 2021 of the Prime Minister (hereinafter referred to as the High-Tech Development Program).The High-Tech Development Program applies to agencies, organizations, enterprises, and individuals participating in the implementation, organization, and management of the High-Tech Development Program.

Component programs under the High-Tech Development Program (hereinafter referred to as component programs) include programs assigned to ministries to organize and implement, including: The program on research, application, and development of high-tech technologies, high-tech products, and services led by the Ministry of Science and Technology; The program on developing certain high-tech industries led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade; The program on developing high-tech agriculture led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

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

1. The Steering Committee of the National Program for High-Tech Development until 2030 (hereinafter referred to as the Steering Committee of the High-Tech Development Program) established by the Minister of Science and Technology shall advise on the implementation of activities under the High-Tech Development Program. The specialized management unit is the unit assigned by the Ministry of Science and Technology to organize the implementation of specific contents to fulfill tasks according to the objectives, contents, and products of the High-Tech Development Program detailed in the framework of component programs under the High-Tech Development Program approved by relevant ministries.

2. The financial management unit is the unit assigned by the Ministry of Science and Technology to manage the use of state budget funds and carry out activities serving state management to achieve the objectives, contents, and products of the High-Tech Development Program. Article 3. Tasks under the High-Tech Development Program

3. Tasks under the High-Tech Development Program include: 1. National science and technology tasks (hereinafter referred to as S&T tasks) implemented through experimental production projects, scientific and technological projects, including:

4. - Conducting research to master, develop, perfect high-tech technologies, conduct experimental production, and invest in industrial-scale production of high-tech products, provide high-tech services; decode technology, exploit inventions, conduct experimental production, and industrial-scale production of high-tech products, provide high-tech services; - Conducting research to master imported technologies, adapted technologies suitable for Vietnam's production conditions, conduct experimental production, and small-scale trial production of high-tech products; apply research results based on perfected technologies, trial production of high-tech products, or transferred technologies.

2. Common activities of the High-Tech Development Program, including: Supporting and creating conditions for the application and production of high-tech products, provision of high-tech services; promoting international cooperation in high-tech; enhancing public awareness of the role and impact of high-tech through the establishment, improvement of mechanisms and policies, and effective implementation of policies in related Programs and Projects approved by competent authorities.

The tasks under the High Technology Program include:

1. National science and technology tasks (hereinafter referred to as scientific and technological tasks) implemented through experimental production project forms, scientific and technological projects, including:

- Conducting research to master, develop high technologies, improve high technologies, conduct experimental production and invest in industrial-scale production of high-tech products, decode technology, exploit inventions, conduct experimental implementation, produce high-tech products at an industrial scale, and provide high-tech services;

- Conducting research to master imported technologies and transferred technologies adapted to Vietnam's production conditions, conducting experimental implementation and small-scale trial production of high-tech products; applying scientific research results based on improving technologies, conducting trial production of high-tech products, or transferring technologies.

2. Common activities of the High Technology Program, including: supporting and creating favorable conditions for the application and production of high-tech products, provision of high-tech services; promoting international cooperation in high technology; enhancing societal awareness of the role and impact of high technology through the establishment, improvement of mechanisms and policies, and effective implementation of policies in relevant Programs and Projects approved by competent authorities.

Article 4. General Principles for Selecting Scientific and Technological Tasks under the High-Tech Program

1. High-tech technologies and high-tech products developed from scientific and technological tasks must meet the following criteria:

a) Belong to the Priority Investment Development List of High-Tech Technologies and the Encouraged Development List of High-Tech Products issued by

b) Possess novelty and have the potential to be registered for intellectual property protection;

c) Have economic and technical indicators reaching regional or international standards; be tested at independent units with testing functions and capabilities; comply with environmental technical standards and regulations;

d) Possess competitiveness and the ability to expand domestic and international markets.

2. The objectives of scientific and technological tasks must be clear, consistent with the approved component program framework of the High-Tech Program, quantifiable, and have significant impacts on promoting economic and social development in industries, fields, and the country; the expected market scale, technology value, and product value generated from the task must be sufficiently large.

3. The leading organization of scientific and technological tasks must have the capacity to mobilize external resources to ensure financial, technological, and other factors necessary for successful project implementation; it must have legitimate counterpart funding from non-governmental sources for research and development activities in Vietnam. Other cases shall be decided by the Minister of Science and Technology.

4. Encourage scientific and technological tasks that create high-tech technologies and high-tech products based on mastering key technology areas or core technologies and products of industries, fields, and localities, with commercialization and consumption potential in the market.

5. For organizations leading the implementation of scientific and technological tasks that are newly established enterprises without financial reports at the time of task deployment, the leading organization must have a bank guarantee commitment before signing the contract.

Article 5. Code Number of Scientific and Technological Tasks under the High-Tech Program

The code number of scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program is defined as follows:

1. The code number of science and technology projects:

a) The general code number of science and technology projects is: CNC.aa.KHCN.xx/yy;

b) The code number of science and technology topics within science and technology projects is: CNC.aa.KHCN.ĐT.xx/yy;

c) The code number of pilot production projects within science and technology projects is: CNC.aa.KHCN.DA.xx/yy.

2. The code number of pilot production projects: CNC.aa.DA.xx/yy

3. The letters "aa", "xx", and "yy" in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article are defined as follows:

"aa" represents two letters indicating the name of the component program, specifically: Research, Application, and High-Tech Technology Development Program, High-Tech Product and Service Development Program is "KH"; High-Tech Industry Development Program is "CN"; High-Tech Agriculture Application Development Program is "NN".

"xx" represents two digits indicating the order of the science and technology project or pilot production project.

"yy" represents the last two digits of the year when the science and technology project or pilot production project begins.

Chapter II

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL TASKS UNDER THE HIGH-TECH PROGRAM

Article 6. Criteria for Science and Technology Projects under the High-Tech Program

Science and technology projects must meet the following criteria:

1. The technology researched and developed in science and technology projects (hereinafter referred to as "KH&CN projects") must be included in the List of Priority Technologies for Investment and Development issued together with the Prime Minister's Decision and must fall into one of the following cases: technology researched and developed, applied to create products competitive with similar products produced domestically or imported; researched to replace imported technology from abroad.

2. The objectives and contents of KH&CN projects must be organically and synchronously connected, carried out within a specified period, and implemented in the form of scientific research topics or pilot production projects (hereinafter referred to as tasks within KH&CN projects).

3. The results of KH&CN projects must meet one of the following conditions: ensuring the development of high-tech technologies reaching advanced levels in the region at each stage to meet practical needs, effectively applying high-tech technologies in product manufacturing, providing high-tech services; having a decisive impact on the creation of key products in economic sectors; creating public-interest high-tech services, forming high-tech enterprises based on scientific research results.

4. The leading organization and Project Leader of KH&CN projects must meet the following requirements:

a) The leading organization must have legal personality, sufficient capacity in material infrastructure, finance, human resources, ability to implement, coordinate research, and apply project results to production.

 Priority will be given to organizations that are currently implementing investment projects related to proposed KH&CN projects and have been granted a Certificate of High-Tech Application Activities, high-tech enterprises, high-tech application agricultural enterprises, or have been implemented in high-tech zones (for research and development high-tech infrastructure projects, applying high-tech to produce high-tech products, providing high-tech services), high-tech application agricultural zones (for research and application of high-tech projects, applying high-tech to produce agricultural products, providing high-tech services).

b) The Project Leader of KH&CN projects must be a leader of the leading organization of the KH&CN project, having sufficient time and capability to organize and implement the KH&CN project. Other cases shall be decided by the Minister of Science and Technology.

As of the date of registration to participate in implementing KH&CN projects, the leading organization of KH&CN projects must have at least one scientific article or one patent/utility model application in the field of the project consistent with practice, capable of being directly applied to production, or one topic/project at the ministry level (or equivalent) or higher that has been accepted or transferred technology.

6. The quality management system of KH&CN projects must meet technical standards and specifications according to regulations on product quality management.

7. Adherence to and application of environmentally friendly measures and energy-saving methods in production must comply with Vietnamese technical standards and specifications; in cases where there are no Vietnamese technical standards and specifications, international specialized organization standards shall be applied.

8. Encouragement and priority shall be given to KH&CN projects using domestic raw materials, fuels, materials, components, and spare parts.

Article 7. Criteria for pilot production projects under the High-Tech Program

Pilot production projects must meet the following criteria:

1. The technology researched and developed in the pilot production project (hereinafter referred to as the project) must be included in the List of Priority Technologies for Investment and Development issued together with the Prime Minister's Decision and must fall into one of the following cases: technology aimed at creating high-application products; adaptation and mastery of imported high-tech, transferred high-tech; improvement and decoding of technology; research to create high-tech.

2. The results of the project must meet one of the following conditions: ensuring that high-tech development reaches advanced levels in the region during each stage to meet practical needs; feasibility in application or product development at mass production scale, provision of high-tech services, establishment of high-tech enterprises based on scientific research results; creation of high-tech products, formation of close ties between enterprises and science and technology organizations.

3. Main participants in implementing the project must have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

4. As of the date of registration to participate in the implementation of the project, the leading organization of the project must have at least one scientific article or one patent/application for utility model in the field of the project suitable for practical use, directly applicable to production, or one topic/project at the ministry level (or equivalent) or higher that has been accepted or transferred.

5. Compliance with and application of environmentally friendly measures and energy-saving standards in production according to Vietnamese technical regulations; in cases where there are no Vietnamese technical regulations, international specialized organization standards shall be applied.

6. Encouragement and priority given to projects using raw materials, fuels, materials, components, and spare parts produced domestically.

Chapter III

MANAGEMENT OF TASKS IN THE HIGH-TECH PROGRAM

Article 8. Proposing and Ordering Tasks in the High-Tech Program

1. Based on the objectives, tasks, and solutions to implement the High-Tech Program and the principles and criteria for selecting scientific and technological tasks stipulated in Articles 4, 6, and 7 of this Circular, organizations and individuals proposing tasks to join the program component under the High-Tech Program shall submit the Task Proposal Form to the Ministry in charge of the program component according to Clause 1, Article 2 of this Circular.

a) For proposals of scientific and technological projects under the High-Tech Program, the proposal dossier includes:

- Project Proposal Form for Scientific and Technological Projects according to Form A1-ĐXDAKHCN attached to this Circular;

- Task Proposal Form within the scientific and technological project according to Form A1.1-ĐXĐT (Task Proposal Form for Scientific Research Topics), Form A1.2-ĐXDA (Project Proposal Form) attached to this Circular;

- Supporting documents meeting the requirements stipulated in Point a, Clause 4, Article 6 of this Circular (certified copies).

b) For proposals of pilot production projects according to Form A1.2-ĐXDA attached to this Circular.

2. The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will receive and compile the needs of organizations and individuals proposing tasks to join the assigned program component, organize consultations through advisory boards or independent experts to build appropriate task ordering proposals in accordance with the framework of the assigned program component under the High-Tech Program approved by the ministries, and submit the dossier to the Ministry of Science and Technology for review according to regulations. The dossier includes:

a) Letter proposing task ordering;

b) Summary table of proposed task ordering items according to Model B1-ĐXĐH attached to Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BKHCN dated May 25, 2023 of the Minister of Science and Technology on the procedures and formalities for determining national scientific and technological tasks funded by the state budget (Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BKHCN);

c) Task proposal forms from organizations and individuals according to the form specified in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. The Ministry of Science and Technology will receive and compile the proposed tasks and task ordering proposals, organize the construction and processing of task ordering proposals according to Point b, Clause 1, Article 8 and Clause 2, Article 9 of Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BKHCN.

Article 9. Determination, Selection, Direct Assignment, and Review of Funding for Science and Technology Tasks under the High-Tech Program

1. The procedures for determining science and technology tasks under the High-Tech Program shall be carried out according to the following provisions:

a) The establishment; working method; sequence and procedures of the Advisory Council for task determination shall be implemented in accordance with Articles 10, 11, and 12 of Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BKHCN;

b) The content of discussions by the Advisory Council for task determination includes the provisions set forth in Article 13 of Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BKHCN and opinions on the suitability of the proposed task's technology and products with the Priority Investment Development List and the Encouraged Development Product List for high-tech industries issued together with the Decision; The Prime Minister.

The Comment Form and the Proposal Evaluation Form for Ordering Science and Technology Tasks shall apply the forms 1a-NXĐX.KHCN (Comment Form for Ordering Proposals for Science and Technology Projects), 1b-ĐGĐX.KHCN (Evaluation Form for Ordering Proposals for Science and Technology Projects), B1.1-PNX.ĐXĐH (Comment Form for Ordering Proposals for Research Topics/Projects), and B1.2-PĐG.ĐXĐH (Evaluation Form for Ordering Proposals for Research Topics/Projects) attached to this Circular;

c) Approval of ordered tasks shall be carried out in accordance with Article 15 of Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BKHCN.

2. Principles, sequences, and procedures for selecting, directly assigning, and reviewing funding for implementing science and technology tasks under the High-Tech Program shall be carried out according to the following provisions:

a) For pilot production projects under the High-Tech Program, they shall be carried out in accordance with Circular No. 20/2023/TT-BKHCN dated October 12, 2023, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology on the selection and direct assignment of organizations and individuals to implement national-level science and technology tasks funded by the state budget (Circular No. 20/2023/TT-BKHCN). Project descriptions shall apply form A2.2-TMDA, Comment Forms and Evaluation Forms for project applications shall apply forms B2.2a-NXDA and B2.2b-ĐGDA attached to this Circular.

b) For science and technology projects, registration documents for participating in the selection and direct assignment of organizations and individuals to implement science and technology projects shall be carried out in accordance with Clauses 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14 of Article 5 of Circular No. 20/2023/TT-BKHCN. Submission and opening of documents; establishment; working methods; sequences and procedures, contents of work of the Advisory Council for selection and direct assignment shall be carried out in accordance with Articles 6, 7, Clauses 1, 2, 3 of Article 8, Clauses 1, 2 of Article 9, Articles 10, and 11 of Circular No. 20/2023/TT-BKHCN. General project descriptions for science and technology projects shall apply form A2-TMTQ.KHCN, Evaluation Forms for project application documents for science and technology projects shall apply form B2-ĐGKHCN attached to this Circular.

c) For tasks within science and technology projects, they shall be carried out in accordance with Circular No. 20/2023/TT-BKHCN and Clause 1 of Article 7 of Circular No. 18/2016/TT-BKHCN dated September 1, 2016, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology on managing national-level science and technology projects. Task descriptions shall apply form A2.1-TMĐT (for research topic descriptions) and form A2.2-TMDA (for project descriptions), Comment Forms and Evaluation Forms for task application documents shall apply forms 2.1a-NXĐT and B2.1b-ĐGĐT (for research topics) and forms B2.2a-NXDA and B2.2b-ĐGDA (for projects) attached to this Circular.

3. Representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall be members of the Advisory Council for task determination; members of the Advisory Council for the selection and direct assignment of science and technology tasks under the program component led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade or the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 10. Contracts for implementing scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program

1. The decision approving the leading organization, the head of the task, funding, cost-sharing method, and the time frame for implementing scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program shall be the basis for signing contracts to implement scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program (hereinafter referred to as the contract).

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology organizes the signing of contracts with the leading organization. The representative of the Ministry of Science and Technology is the Assignor, and the leading organization is the Assignee.

The model Scientific Research and Technological Development Contract is issued by the Minister of Science and Technology.

3. The leading organization has the obligation and responsibility to organize the implementation of the task in accordance with the objectives, contents, schedule, and to effectively utilize the allocated funding in compliance with the contract.

Article 11. Adjustments, inspections, periodic evaluations, and termination of contracts during the implementation of scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program

1. During the implementation process, the leading organization may submit written proposals to the Ministry of Science and Technology regarding additional explanations, supplements, or adjustments to the contents, products, and time frames for implementing scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program.

The Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for organizing the review and approval of additional or adjusted scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program in accordance with regulations.

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology takes the lead and collaborates with the leading ministries of the program components and relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to conduct regular annual or ad hoc inspections and evaluations on the progress, implementation status, and utilization of funds for scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program.

3. The leading organization is responsible for preparing and providing all relevant information concerning the ongoing scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program and facilitating inspection and supervision.

4. The procedures and processes for inspections, evaluations, adjustments, and termination of contracts during the implementation of scientific and technological tasks are carried out in accordance with the Circular of the Minister of Science and Technology stipulating the inspection, evaluation, adjustment, and termination of contracts during the implementation of national-level scientific and technological tasks funded by state budget.

Article 12. Evaluation, acceptance, asset management, and recognition of results from implementing scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology leads the organization of evaluations, acceptances, asset management, and recognition of results from implementing scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program according to current regulations.

The Ministry of Science and Technology compiles and reports to the Steering Committee on the results of the High-Tech Program's implementation.

2. The procedures and processes for evaluations, acceptances, and recognition of results from implementing scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program are carried out in accordance with the Circular of the Minister of Science and Technology stipulating the evaluation and acceptance of results from implementing national-level scientific and technological tasks funded by state budget.

3. Management, utilization, and handling of assets formed from scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program are implemented in accordance with Decree No. 70/2018/ND-CP dated May 15, 2018 of the Government on managing and using assets formed through the implementation of scientific and technological tasks funded by state capital; Circular No. 63/2018/TT-BTC dated July 30, 2018 of the Minister of Finance guiding certain provisions of Decree No. 70/2018/ND-CP dated May 15, 2018 of the Government on managing and using assets formed through the implementation of scientific and technological tasks funded by state capital; Circular No. 02/2020/TT-BKHCN dated August 10, 2020 of the Minister of Science and Technology guiding the implementation of Clause 1, Article 41 of Decree No. 70/2018/ND-CP and related legal provisions on managing the implementation of scientific and technological tasks funded by state budget.

Article 13. Liquidation of Contracts, Registration, Preservation, and Utilization of Results of Science and Technology Tasks under the High-Tech Program

1. The liquidation of contracts with the leading organization shall be carried out in accordance with current regulations.

2. The leading organization shall be responsible for managing and utilizing the results of science and technology tasks of the High-Tech Program in accordance with the provisions of the law.

3. The registration, preservation of results of science and technology tasks, and reporting on the application of results of science and technology tasks shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Circular No. 14/2014/TT-BKHCN dated June 11, 2014, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology on the collection, registration, preservation, and publication of information on science and technology tasks; and Circular No. 11/2023/TT-BKHCN dated June 26, 2023, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 14/2014/TT-BKHCN dated June 11, 2014, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology on the collection, registration, preservation, and publication of information on science and technology tasks.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 14. Ministry of Science and Technology

1. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Science and Technology:

a) Implement the assigned tasks by the Prime Minister as stipulated at point a, clause 2, section V, Article 1 of Decision No. 130/QĐ-TTg dated January 27, 2021, issued by the Prime Minister;

b) Serve as the focal point to assist the Steering Committee in monitoring, compiling, and summarizing the situation regarding the construction and implementation of the High-Tech Program;

c) Annually compile the financial needs of the program components and common activities of the High-Tech Program to take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance in balancing, allocating, and guiding the budget funds;

d) Assist the Steering Committee in coordinating, reviewing, and integrating tasks of the program components and related programs involving high technology;

đ) Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in analyzing, evaluating, and organizing the widespread application of models of tasks from the High-Tech Program that have been implemented.

2. Responsibilities of the specialized management unit:

a) Serve as the focal point and assist the Minister of Science and Technology in implementing the High-Tech Program according to the directives of the Prime Minister as stipulated in Decision No. 130/QĐ-TTg dated January 27, 2021;

b) Take the lead and coordinate with the financial management unit, the Program Steering Committee, and relevant units in determining tasks, selecting, directly assigning tasks, auditing budgets, approving tasks, and confirming the completion volume of tasks under the High-Tech Program;

c) Take the lead in drafting plans and implementing the High-Tech Program; preparing regular, extraordinary, and annual summary reports on the results of implementation; organizing mid-term and final reviews of the High-Tech Program;

d) Coordinate with the financial management unit in signing contracts to implement tasks; adjusting contracts; terminating contracts; evaluating and accepting the results of science and technology tasks under the High-Tech Program;

đ) Coordinate with the financial management unit in compiling and reporting on the mobilization and utilization of funds from sources outside the state budget for science and technology and other funding sources to implement tasks under the High-Tech Program;

e) Carry out other tasks assigned by the Minister of Science and Technology.

3. Responsibilities of the financial management unit:

a) Take the lead and coordinate with the specialized management unit in signing contracts to implement science and technology tasks under the High-Tech Program;

b) Take the lead and coordinate with the specialized management unit in receiving financial files, managing finances, disbursing funds, verifying funds, settling accounts, and implementing tasks;

c) Take the lead and coordinate with the specialized management unit in inspecting and evaluating during the implementation of tasks; adjusting contracts; terminating contracts; evaluating and accepting results and recognizing achievements; and other tasks related to financial management as prescribed for the High-Tech Program and regulations on the use of state budget funds;

d) Take the lead and coordinate with the specialized management unit in compiling and reporting on the mobilization and utilization of funds from sources outside the state budget for science and technology and other funding sources to implement tasks;

đ) Coordinate with the specialized management unit in reviewing tasks and confirming the completion volume of tasks;

e) Coordinate with the specialized management unit in drafting plans and implementing the Program; preparing regular, extraordinary, and annual summary reports on the results of implementation; organizing mid-term and final reviews of the High-Tech Program.

Article 15. Ministry of Industry and Trade

Responsibilities of the Ministry of Industry and Trade:

1. Coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology to organize calls for proposals based on the framework program for developing certain high-tech industries that have been approved;

2. Compile a list of proposed tasks, draft orders for procurement, coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology to determine tasks, select and directly assign tasks within the procurement order list; coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology to inspect, evaluate, and accept tasks under the component program according to regulations;

3. Nominate representatives to join the Steering Committee of the High-Tech Program;

4. Prepare annual and ad hoc (upon request) reports on the implementation of tasks under the component program, submit them to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consolidation and reporting to the Steering Committee.

Article 16. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development:

1. Coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology to organize calls for proposals based on the framework program for developing high-tech agriculture that has been approved;

2. Compile a list of proposed tasks, draft orders for procurement, coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology to determine tasks, select and directly assign tasks within the procurement order list; coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology to inspect, evaluate, and accept tasks under the component program according to regulations;

3. Nominate representatives to join the Steering Committee of the High-Tech Program;

4. Prepare annual and ad hoc (upon request) reports on the implementation of tasks under the component program, submit them to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consolidation and reporting to the Steering Committee.

Article 17. Steering Committee of the High-Tech Program

1. The Steering Committee of the High-Tech Program shall be established by the Minister of Science and Technology. The Steering Committee consists of seven to nine members, including the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Scientific Secretary, Representative from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Representative from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and other members appointed by the Minister of Science and Technology.

2. The Steering Committee of the High-Tech Program shall perform its duties as prescribed in the Circular of the Minister of Science and Technology on the management organization of national science and technology programs and the Regulation on the organization and operation of the Steering Committee of national science and technology programs issued by the Minister of Science and Technology.

Article 18. Leading Organization and Task Leader

Responsibilities of the Leading Organization and Task Leader:

1. Develop and implement approved contents; be responsible for the progress and results of task implementation; propose solutions to issues arising during the implementation of science and technology tasks to the Ministry of Science and Technology;

2. Coordinate with management units of the Ministry of Science and Technology in inspecting and supervising the implementation of science and technology tasks of the High-Tech Program according to set goals, contents, and schedules;

3. Propose in writing to the Ministry of Science and Technology adjustments to the goals, contents, budget, and schedule of science and technology tasks under the High-Tech Program to meet actual requirements;

4. Sign contracts for assignment of work and outsourcing with other organizations and individuals to carry out assigned project components;

5. Fully comply with periodic six-monthly, annual, or ad hoc (as required by the managing authority) reporting on the implementation of science and technology tasks under the High-Tech Program and final accounting reports with the competent authority;

6. Be responsible for self-assessing the results of tasks they lead;

7. Implement publication, submission, management, exploitation, and transfer of results, and handle assets of the task according to the law;

8. Propose application plans or commercialization of products derived from task results;

9. Use funds for their intended purposes effectively; manage the task's budget according to the law;

10. Inspect and urge participating organizations and individuals to fulfill their roles according to contracts;

11. Comply with relevant laws and regulations.

Article 19. Ministries, sectors, People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities

Responsibilities of ministries, sectors, People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities:

1. Guide organizations and individuals to register for participation in the High-Tech Program;

2. Propose orders for scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program in accordance with Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BKHCN dated May 25, 2023, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology, which stipulates the procedures and formalities for determining national scientific and technological tasks funded by state budget.

Article 20. Budget for Implementing the High-Tech Program

The budget for implementing the High-Tech Program is balanced within the annual state budget for science and technology expenditures, allocated to organizations responsible for carrying out scientific and technological tasks and common tasks under the High-Tech Program, including expenses for the program's common activities such as the operating costs of the Steering Board and the Program Management Board, international cooperation funds, surveys, conferences, seminars, information dissemination, and other common activities as prescribed.

Article 21. Information and Database of the High-Tech Program

The Ministry of Science and Technology shall take the lead and coordinate with the sector in charge of the component program to organize online guidance and registration for tasks and to build an electronic database on scientific and technological tasks under the High-Tech Program.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 22. Effectiveness

1. This Circular takes effect from February 15, 2024.

2. In cases where the referenced documents in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be implemented according to the provisions of the new document.

Article 23. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Minister, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, and related organizations and individuals are responsible for enforcing this Circular.

2. In case of difficulties during implementation, agencies, organizations, and individuals are advised to report to the Ministry of Science and Technology for research and consideration of amendments and supplements to ensure appropriateness./.