Notice Inviting Submission of Applications for the Implementation of Applied Research Projects – Round 2 of 2025
Pursuant to the plan approved by the Management Council of the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development, the Foundation announces the invitation for submission of applications for the implementation of applied research projects – Round 2 of 2025, specifically as follows:
1. Legal basis
Applied research projects (ARPs) funded by the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (the Foundation) are managed in accordance with the provisions of Circular No. 15/2016/TT-BKHCN dated June 30, 2016 of the Minister of Science and Technology stipulating the management of applied research projects funded by the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development, as amended and supplemented by Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BKHCN dated December 30, 2024 of the Minister of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as Circular 15).
Related document: See here.
2. Scope and subjects eligible for funding
The Foundation provides funding for the implementation of applied research projects in the following fields:
– Natural sciences, engineering and technology sciences, medical and pharmaceutical sciences, agricultural sciences (hereinafter referred to as natural sciences and engineering);
– Social sciences, humanities (hereinafter referred to as social sciences and humanities).
Applicable subjects: Organizations and individuals engaged in science and technology activities in Vietnam that register for and implement applied research projects funded by the Foundation, and other relevant agencies, organizations and individuals.
3. Cost estimate
The cost estimate shall be prepared based on the structure of the research group, research contents and expected results according to the prescribed norms. Guidance on preparing the cost estimate is available in the general guidance section of the Cost Estimate form.
4. Forms and method of application submission
Application forms can be downloaded here.
Guidance for application submission is available here
The Foundation encourages the submission of applications using digital signatures in accordance with the direction under Decision No. 240/QD-TTg dated February 04, 2025 of the Prime Minister promulgating the Plan for Key Administrative Procedure Reform in 2025.
Documents required to be digitally signed include the application form and the proposal (contents and cost estimate), bearing the digital signature of the head of the lead organization and the digital seal of the lead organization; a digital signature of the project leader is not mandatory.
Digitally signed applications shall be received through the Foundation's administrative procedure information system (OMS system) at: https://e-services.nafosted.gov.vn
5. Time and address for application receipt
Application submission period: From 08:00 on August 20, 2025 to 17:00 on September 19, 2025
Receipt address: One-Stop Service Division – National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (Room 1207, Building of the Authority for Innovation – 113 Tran Duy Hung Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi City).
6. Tentative implementation timeline
Selection evaluation: From September 2025 to December 2025
Announcement of funding results: January 2026
Contract signing and first funding disbursement: Q1/2026 (subject to the state budget allocation).
7. Contents to note when preparing the project proposal
7.1. Requirements on the implementation period and results of the project (Article 9 of Circular 15)
| Contents | Field of social sciences and humanities | Field of natural sciences and |
|---|
engineering
| Implementation period | 36 months | |
|---|---|---|
| The project results must clearly state: | New methods and approaches to addressing social and human-related issues for specific subjects and objectives. | Technical know-how, plans, technological processes, technical solutions, production rationalization solutions, technological innovation. |
| Registered products must satisfy: | + 02 (two) articles published in reputable international journals; |
or
+ 01 (one) article published in a reputable international journal and 01 (one) article published in a national journal;
or:
+ 01 (one) monograph (already published) and 02 (two) articles published in national journals (only applicable to cases where, due to the specific nature of the research issue, publication in international journals is not possible).
| + 02 (two) invention patents or 02 (two) plant variety protection certificates; |
|---|
or:
+ 01 (one) invention patent and 01 (one) plant variety protection certificate;
or:
+ 01 (one) invention patent or 01 (one) plant variety protection certificate; and 01 (one) article published in a reputable international journal or 01 (one) certificate of exclusive protection for a utility solution.
7.2. Requirements for the lead organization, project leader and research team members (Article 8 of Circular 15)
| For the lead organization of the project | Having legal status, having operational capacity appropriate to the project's professional field, and having sufficient physical and technical facilities serving the project's research activities. At the time of submission of the application for implementation of the project, having submitted the consolidated report on the project implementation results and refunded the recovered funding in accordance with regulations for projects previously funded by the Foundation (if any). |
|---|---|
| For the project leader | a) Having expertise appropriate to the research contents of the project; |
b) Having research capacity meeting the requirements of the project: Holding a university degree or higher and having specialized research results relevant to the research field of the project, satisfying one of the following conditions:
– Having research results published in reputable international journals or being an inventor of an invention or a plant variety for which a protection title has been granted within 05 (five) years up to the time of application submission;
– Having research results that have been published (articles in reputable international or national scientific journals, invention patents, utility solutions, plant varieties) within 10 (ten) years up to the time of application submission and have been applied;
– At the same time, each individual may serve as project leader for no more than 01 (one) project funded by the Foundation (except in the case of currently leading an ad hoc project).
| For members of the project's research team | a) Key implementing members and scientific secretary: holding a university degree or higher; having research results relevant to the research field of the project published in reputable national or international journals or having an invention patent, utility solution or plant variety for which a protection title has been granted within 05 (five) years up to the application submission deadline; |
|---|
b) Members: holding a university degree or higher and having research results relevant to the research field of the project published in national or international journals, invention patents, utility solutions or plant varieties.
| Cost estimation | Provide quotations: Supplies, raw materials, fuels, tools (specifying specifications, quantities, unit prices, origin, codes, manufacturer, …) and outsourced services. |
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