Circular No. 43/2025/TT-BKHCN on the management and support for activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity

CIRCULAR

Regulations on management of support for activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity

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Pursuant to Decree No. 55/2025/NĐ-CP dated March 2, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;

Pursuant to Decree No. 265/2025/NĐ-CP dated October 14, 2025 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation regarding finance and investment in science, technology, and innovation;

Pursuant to Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP dated October 14, 2025 of the Government detailing and guiding certain provisions of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation regarding programs and tasks of science, technology, and innovation, and some provisions on promoting scientific research, technological development, and innovation activities;

At the proposal of the Director of the National Science and Technology Development Fund;

The Minister of Science and Technology issues this Circular regulating the management of support for activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the content, criteria, conditions, procedures, and formalities for examining sponsorship, signing contracts, managing, and organizing the implementation of support for activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity of the National Science and Technology Development Fund; support for activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity of the Science, Technology, and Innovation Development Fund of ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, government agencies, other central agencies, and provincial People's Committees as provided for in Clause 1, Article 42 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP dated October 14, 2025 of the Government detailing and guiding certain provisions of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation regarding programs and tasks of science, technology, and innovation, and some provisions on promoting scientific research, technological development, and innovation activities.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to agencies, organizations, enterprises, and individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities in Vietnam or outside Vietnam but having rights and obligations under Vietnamese law and international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

1. The supporting agency is the National Science and Technology Development Fund or the Science, Technology, and Innovation Development Fund of ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, government agencies, other central agencies, and provincial People's Committees.

2. Talented young scientists and talented young engineers are individuals engaged in scientific, technological, and innovative activities meeting the criteria specified in Articles 39 and 40 of Decree No. 263/2025/NĐ-CP dated October 14, 2025 of the Government detailing and guiding certain provisions of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation regarding the self-governance mechanism, responsibility-bearing capacity of public scientific and technological organizations, human resources, talents, and awards.

3. Internationally reputable journals are scientific journals listed in the database of Scopus or Web of Science.

Article 4. Objectives of Support

Supporting activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity aims to develop national scientific and technological potential; strengthen the research capacity and quality of scientific research and technological development of organizations and individuals; serve economic and social development, ensure national defense, security, and international integration.

Article 5. Principles of Support

1. Ensuring objectivity, democracy, and equality; information on activities and support procedures shall be publicly disclosed on the electronic portal of the Supporting Agency, the National Digital Platform for Scientific and Technological Management and Innovation.

2. Meeting requirements for development and integration in scientific research, technological development, and innovation.

3. Ensuring that no overlapping support is provided for activities with identical content and objectives that have already been funded from the state budget.

Article 6. Methods of Support

Depending on the type of activity to enhance scientific and technological capacity, the support funding shall be granted according to one of the following two methods:

1. Granting once from the Supporting Agency to the supported agency or organization based on the approved research outline and explanatory notes. The supported agency or organization is responsible for approving, managing, and organizing the implementation of the enhanced scientific and technological capacity support activities through science and technology tasks and grassroots innovation.

2. Granting to agencies and organizations based on the review results of their applications.

Chapter II

CONTENT, CONDITIONS, CRITERIA, AND APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF SUPPORT FOR ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL CAPACITY

Article 7. Support for Organizing Scientific Conferences in Vietnam

1. The content of support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 1, Article 43 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Conditions for considering support:

a) Organized by reputable organizations in the field: having an official website introducing the conference; involving renowned scientists in the field who register to participate and present scientific reports.

b) Content aligns with the organizing unit's area of operation.

3. Criteria for considering support:

a) Quality of the scientific conference is evaluated through: reputation and capability of the organizing unit, organizing committee, program committee; composition of participating scientists; results and quality of previous conferences (if any); scientific achievements of foreign scientists proposed for financial support to attend the conference.

b) Significance of the scientific conference for the research field or for the country, ministry, sector, or locality: potential to generate follow-up outcomes such as research collaboration, application of research results, or technology transfer.

c) Budget estimate in compliance with current regulations.

4. Application materials include:

a) Request for support form according to Model NCNL-01 stipulated in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

b) Official permission document for organizing the scientific conference from the competent authority;

c) Budget estimate for requested support according to Model NCNL-02 stipulated in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

d) List, curriculum vitae, and scientific reports of foreign scientists proposed for financial support to attend the scientific conference.

Article 8. Support for Developing Scientific Journals

1. The content of support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 1, Article 44 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Conditions for considering support:

a) It is a scientific journal meeting the criteria specified in Clause 2, Article 10 of Circular No. 27/2025/TT-BKHCN dated October 31, 2025, issued by the Minister of Science and Technology regarding scientific articles and the evaluation and classification of Vietnamese scientific journals;

b) Having a process for receiving, reviewing, and publishing articles as prescribed in Article 38 of Decree No. 262/2025/NĐ-CP dated October 14, 2025, issued by the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation concerning information, statistics, evaluation, digital transformation, and general issues.

3. Criteria for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 3, Article 44 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

4. Application materials include:

a) Request for support form according to Model NCNL-03 stipulated in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

b) Plan to improve the quality and standards of the journal;

c) List and curriculum vitae of members of the editorial board;

d) Budget estimate for requested support according to Model NCNL-04 stipulated in the Appendix issued together with this Circular.

Article 9. Support for initiative activities, technical improvement solutions, or production rationalization

1. The content of support shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 1, Article 45 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Conditions for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 2, Article 45 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

3. Criteria for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 3, Article 45 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

4. Application materials include:

a) A request for support form according to Model NCNL-05 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

b) An explanation about the initiative, technical improvement solution, or production rationalization according to Model NCNL-06 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

c) A budget estimate for requested support according to Model NCNL-07 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular.

Article 10. Support for scientific communication activities, technology dissemination, and innovation popularization

1. The content of support shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 1, Article 46 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Conditions for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 2, Article 46 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

3. Criteria for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 3, Article 46 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

4. Application materials include:

a) A registration form for requesting support according to Model NCNL-08 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

b) A detailed plan explanation for the activity according to Model NCNL-09 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

c) Commitment from the agency or organization cooperating in implementing the scientific and technological communication and knowledge dissemination activities proposed (if applicable);

d) An explanation of the capability of the agency or organization requesting support according to Model NCNL-10 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

đ) A budget estimate for requested support according to Model NCNL-11 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular.

Article 11. Support for short-term internships and research abroad

1. The content of support shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 1, Article 47 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Conditions for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 2, Article 47 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

3. Criteria for considering support:

a) The quality of the research outline is demonstrated through: the degree of alignment between the content of the short-term internship and research abroad with ongoing scientific and technological tasks and innovation (if applicable); clear, detailed, specific, and feasible presentation of objectives, contents, methods, plans, and timeframes; expected research results and outputs consistent with the research outline; significance and impact of the short-term internship and research abroad on enhancing individual professional capacity and contributions to the workplace.

b) Research achievements of the scientist requesting support are demonstrated through: scientific and technological research results, industrial property rights protection certificates, plant variety protection certificates within the last five years, science and technology awards, innovation awards achieved (if applicable); results of scientific and technological tasks and innovation tasks led or participated in;

c) Achievements and reputation of foreign partner organizations and individuals; compatibility of expertise, material conditions, and scientific achievements of foreign partner organizations and individuals;

d) A budget estimate in compliance with current regulations.

4. Application materials include:

a) A request for support form according to Model NCNL-12 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

b) Two recommendation letters from scientists according to Model NCNL-13 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular. The scientists writing the recommendation letters must hold a doctoral degree, have research results relevant to the field of research of the person requesting support, and have been published in international journals within the five years prior to the submission date;

c) A cooperation research invitation letter from the foreign partner organization or a research guidance acceptance letter from the foreign partner scientist as stipulated in point a, Clause 2, Article 47 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP, specifying the location, time, content of the internship and research, and responsibility for covering related expenses;

d) An explanation of the research outline at the foreign partner organization (clarifying the objectives, significance, necessity of the internship and research trip, research content, methods, plans, and expected outcomes), approved by the foreign partner organization or foreign partner scientist;

đ) A curriculum vitae of the applicant requesting support according to Model NCNL-14 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

e) A budget estimate for requested support, clearly stating the expenses committed to be funded by the foreign side (if applicable) according to Model NCNL-15 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular.

Article 12. Support for post-doctoral researchers' research activities

1. The content of support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 48 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Conditions for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 48 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

3. Criteria for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 48 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

4. Application materials include:

a) A request for support for enhancing scientific and technological capacity for organizations according to Model NCNL-16 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto;

b) A description of activities for enhancing scientific and technological capacity for organizations according to Model NCNL-17 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto;

c) A budget estimate for requesting support for enhancing scientific and technological capacity for organizations according to Model NCNL-18 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto.

Article 13. Support for research activities of doctoral program research students and master's program trainees

1. The content of support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 49 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Conditions for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 49 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

3. Criteria for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 49 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

4. Application materials include:

a) A request for support for enhancing scientific and technological capacity for organizations according to Model NCNL-16 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto;

b) A description of activities for enhancing scientific and technological capacity for organizations according to Model NCNL-17 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto;

c) A budget estimate for requesting support for enhancing scientific and technological capacity for organizations according to Model NCNL-18 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto.

Article 14. Support for outstanding scientists with remarkable achievements in scientific research and technological development

1. The content of support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 50 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Conditions for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 50 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

3. Criteria for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 50 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

4. Application materials include:

a) A request for support for enhancing scientific and technological capacity for organizations according to Model NCNL-16 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto;

b) A description of activities for enhancing scientific and technological capacity for organizations according to Model NCNL-17 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto;

c) A budget estimate for requesting support for enhancing scientific and technological capacity for organizations according to Model NCNL-18 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto.

Article 15. Support for inviting outstanding foreign scientists to Vietnam for short-term academic exchanges

1. The content of support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 51 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Conditions for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 51 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

3. Criteria for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 51 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

4. Application materials include:

a) A request for support according to Model NCNL-19 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto;

b) Curriculum vitae of the foreign scientist;

c) A description of the plan to invite outstanding foreign scientists to Vietnam for short-term academic exchanges according to Model NCNL-20 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto;

d) A budget estimate for requesting support according to Model NCNL-21 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto.

Article 16. Support for attending and reporting research results at international conferences and seminars

1. The content of support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 52 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Conditions for considering support:

a) Domestic scientists who have been accepted to present their scientific reports directly at international conferences and seminars;

b) The content of international conferences and seminars must be relevant to the domestic scientist's field of expertise.

3. Criteria for considering support:

a) The quality and reputation of international conferences and seminars are evaluated through: the organizing committee including reputable scientists or managers; regular organization of international conferences and seminars; clear and transparent selection process for presentations reflected on the conference website; participation of reputable scientists and managers presenting reports; sponsorship by reputable organizations in the field of science and technology;

b) Research achievements of domestic scientists are demonstrated through published results in scientific journals;

c) Budget estimates must comply with current regulations;

d) The time interval between two consecutive supports for a domestic scientist attending international conferences and seminars must not be less than 12 months (calculated from the opening dates of the conferences and seminars).

4. Application materials include:

a) A request for support according to Model NCNL-22 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto;

b) An invitation letter to present a scientific report at an international conference or seminar;

c) A scientific report expected to be presented at an international conference or seminar;

d) A curriculum vitae of the applicant for support according to Model NCNL-14 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto and supporting documents proving compliance with the criteria for talented young scientists and engineers (if applicable);

đ) A budget estimate for requesting support according to Model NCNL-23 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto.

Article 17. Support for the publication of domestic and international scientific and technological works

1. The content of support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 53 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Conditions for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 53 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

3. Criteria for considering support:

a) Quality and significance of the scientific and technological work;

b) Reputation and quality of the journal publishing:

- For the Science, Technology and Innovation Development Fund of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, central agencies, and provincial People's Committees, the publishing journal must be an internationally reputable journal or a Vietnamese scientific journal classified as Level 1 under Clause 2 of Article 11 of Circular No. 27/2025/TT-BKHCN.

- For the National Science and Technology Development Fund, the journal must belong to the first quartile group (Q1) according to the classification of the international database Scopus or Web of Science.

4. Application materials include:

a) A request for support form in accordance with Model NCNL-24 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

b) Author's curriculum vitae in accordance with Model NCNL-14 prescribed in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

c) Published scientific and technological work;

d) Legal receipts for payment of publication fees for scientific and technological works (if any).

Article 18. Support for talented young scientists and engineers

1. The content of support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 54 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

2. Conditions for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 54 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

3. Criteria for considering support shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 54 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

4. Application materials include:

a) A request for support for enhancing scientific and technological capacity for organizations according to Model NCNL-16 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto;

b) A description of activities for enhancing scientific and technological capacity for organizations according to Model NCNL-17 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto;

c) A budget estimate for requesting support for enhancing scientific and technological capacity for organizations according to Model NCNL-18 prescribed in the Appendix attached hereto.

Chapter III

PROCEDURES FOR GRANTING SUPPORT, SIGNING CONTRACTS, MANAGEMENT AND

 ORGANIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL CAPACITY

PROCEDURES FOR GRANTING SUPPORT, SIGNING CONTRACTS

Section 1

PROCEDURES FOR GRANTING SUPPORT, SIGNING CONTRACTS

Article 19. Procedures for granting support and signing contracts

1. Receiving applications

a) Annually, based on the activity plan, the agency supporting activities will announce the planned scale, field, and selection criteria for organizations to be considered for support for the types of activities stipulated in Articles 12, 13, 14, and 18 of this Circular.

Application forms can be submitted through the online public service portal/National platform for managing science, technology, and innovation or directly or via postal services within the time limit specified in the announcement;

b) For the types of activities stipulated in Articles 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, and 17 of this Circular, organizations and individuals submit application forms through the online public service portal/National platform for managing science, technology, and innovation or directly or via postal services, at least two months before the expected date of the activity for the types of activities stipulated in Articles 7, 10, 11, 15, and 16 of this Circular, or according to the needs of individuals, agencies, and organizations for the activities stipulated in Articles 8, 9, and 17 of this Circular.

2. Granting support

a) For the types of activities stipulated in Articles 12, 13, 14, and 18 of this Circular:

- The agency supporting activities evaluates the overall plans of activities proposed by organizations through the Science and Technology Council based on criteria such as the research capacity of the organization, the effectiveness of fund usage in previous stages (if applicable), contribution to national scientific and technological capacity development, and the potential for disseminating results.

- Based on the evaluation results of the Science and Technology Council, the agency supporting activities approves the list of organizations to be supported and corresponding funding amounts;

- Funding is provided once to the agency or organization according to the approved description. This agency or organization is responsible for approving, managing, and organizing the implementation of grassroots scientific, technological, and innovation tasks in accordance with regulations;

- Processing time for applications: up to 60 days from the end of the application submission period.

b) For the types of activities to enhance national scientific and technological capacity stipulated in Articles 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, and 17 of this Circular:

- The agency supporting activities seeks comments from at least three independent consultants regarding applications for support for the types of activities stipulated in Articles 7, 11, 15, 16, and 17 of this Circular.

- The agency supporting activities reviews applications for support for the types of activities stipulated in Articles 8, 9, and 10 of this Circular through the Science and Technology Council;

- Applications that fully comply with the agency's requirements and are recommended for support by the Council or at least two-thirds of the experts are considered and decided upon by the agency supporting activities. In necessary cases, the agency supporting activities may seek additional opinions from other independent consultants before making a decision.

- Processing time for applications: up to 30 days from the date of receiving valid applications.

- The agency supporting activities informs the organizations and individuals who submitted applications for support of the results and does not return registration forms for cases where support is not granted.

c) The agency supporting activities issues regulations governing the operations of the Science and Technology Council.

3. Signing Contracts:

a) Based on the approval decision for support (list of organizations and individuals to be supported and corresponding funding amounts), the agency supporting activities organizes the signing of contracts with the receiving organizations;

b) The contract includes the following main contents: name of the organization or individual receiving support; content of support; implementation period (if applicable); support funding; rights and obligations of the parties involved; other provisions as required by relevant laws;

c) Within 15 days from the date of the approval decision, the agency supporting activities is responsible for completing the signing of the contract with the receiving organization;

d) If an organization or individual approved for support fails to sign the contract within the deadline announced by the agency supporting activities without a legitimate reason, the agency supporting activities has the right to revoke the approval decision and handle it according to current regulations.

Section 2

 MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

Article 20. Responsibilities of the Supporting Agency for Activities

1. Support activities to enhance capacity in accordance with the objectives, contents, subjects, and provisions set forth in this Circular; ensure transparency, objectivity, and effectiveness.

2. Receive, evaluate, and approve applications for funding; manage the implementation of support activities in accordance with regulations.

3. Monitor and inspect the implementation process of supported activities, including:

a) Inspect the progress, content, and results of organizations and individuals receiving funding;

b) Inspect the use of funds to ensure they are used for their intended purpose, economically, and effectively.

4. Organize the evaluation of the outcomes and impacts of activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity.

5. Conduct inspections and handle violations by organizations and individuals who breach support contracts.

Article 21. Responsibilities of Organizations and Individuals Receiving Support

1. Responsibilities of organizations and individuals receiving support:

a) Implement national activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity according to the contract;

b) Use the provided funding for its intended purpose, in compliance with regulations, efficiently; provide all valid documentation and complete settlement procedures as required by current regulations;

c) Adhere strictly to the laws of the host country during the time spent abroad to carry out supported activities;

d) Provide and update information and reports on the status and results of supported activities according to Model NCNL-25 stipulated in the Appendix attached to this Circular within one month after the completion of the activity. Participate in surveys and evaluations to serve the finalization, assessment of effectiveness, and planning of future funding activities by the Supporting Agency for Activities.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 22. Implementation organization

1. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, central-level agencies, and provincial People's Committees shall apply the provisions of this Circular to organize support activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity for science and technology development funds under their management.

2. In cases where necessary, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, central-level agencies, and provincial People's Committees shall specify detailed criteria, procedures, formalities, and forms for supporting activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity under their management in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 42 of Decree No. 267/2025/NĐ-CP.

Article 23. Effectiveness of Implementation

1. This Circular takes effect from December 15, 2025.

2. During implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals should promptly report them to the Ministry of Science and Technology for review, amendment, and supplementation as appropriate. /./