Notice Inviting Submission of Applications for the Implementation of Basic Research Projects – Round 2 of 2025
Pursuant to the plan approved by the Management Council of the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (hereinafter referred to as the “Foundation”), the Foundation hereby announces the invitation to submit applications for the implementation of basic research projects – Round 2 of 2025, specifically as follows:
1. Legal basis
Basic research projects funded by the Foundation shall be managed in accordance with Circular No. 37/2014/TT-BKHCN dated December 12, 2014 of the Minister of Science and Technology prescribing the management of basic 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 37).
Other relevant documents: See here
2. Funding scope
2.1. Funding fields
– Natural sciences and engineering (KHTN&KT), including the disciplines/interdisciplinary fields of Mathematics; Information and Computer Science; Physics; Chemistry; Earth Sciences – Marine Sciences; Mechanics – Engineering; Life Sciences.
– Social sciences and humanities (KHXH&NV), including the disciplines/interdisciplinary fields of Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, Law; Economics; Psychology – Education; Literature, Linguistics, History, Archaeology, Cultural Studies, Art Studies, Mass Information and Communication.
2.2. Types of projects
– Exploratory research projects: projects aimed at promoting research by young scientists under 40 years of age or scientists registering for a basic research project funded by the Foundation for the first time.
– Development research projects: projects aimed at major, long-term objectives to promote excellent and breakthrough scientific research results, combined with the establishment of research groups and the training of highly qualified scientific personnel.
Requirements for organizations and individuals implementing the projects, implementation periods and research results for each type of project are prescribed in Articles 10 and 11* *of Circular 37.
| Contents | Exploratory research project | Development research project |
|---|---|---|
| Lead organization | At the time of application submission, projects under the lead organization must have submitted the consolidated report on results and returned the recovered funding in accordance with regulations (if any). | |
| Project leader | At the time of application submission, the project leader must have submitted the consolidated report on results and returned the recovered funding of a project previously funded by the Foundation (if any). | |
| Doctoral degree | ||
| – Under 40 years of age (as of the application submission deadline) or registering for a project funded by the Foundation for the first time. | ||
| – Has 01 reputable international publication within the most recent 05 years. | ||
| Is the lead author of at least 01 reputable Q1 or Q2 international publication within the most recent 05 years. | ||
| Participating members of the project | At least 02 key members satisfying the requirements applicable to the leader of an exploratory research project. | |
| Implementation period | 36 months | 48 months or 60 months |
| Research results | At least 01 reputable international publication | – At least 02 reputable international publications in Q1 or Q2. |
| – Support for the training of at least 01 PhD student. |
List of reputable international journals: See here.
3. Funding estimate
The funding estimate shall be prepared based on the structure of the research team, research contents and expected products in accordance with the prescribed expenditure norms. Guidance on preparing the funding estimate is available in the general instructions in the Funding Estimate Form.
The expected average funding level for 01 project is as follows:
| Field | Exploratory research project | Development research project | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theory | Experiment | Theory | Experiment | |
| KHTN&KT | 1,200 | 1,800 | 3,000 | 4,500 |
| KHXH&NV | 3,500 |
(Unit: VND million)
4. Forms and methods for submitting applications
Application forms can be downloaded here
Instructions on application submission methods can be downloaded here
The Foundation encourages the submission of applications using digital signatures in accordance with the direction under:
The documents required to be digitally signed include the application for registration and the proposal (research contents and funding 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 information system for handling administrative procedures (OMS system) at: https://e-services.nafosted.gov.vn
5. Time and address for receiving applications
– Application submission period: From 08:00 on August 11, 2025 to 17:00 on September 12, 2025.
– Address for receiving applications: One-Stop Service Division – National Foundation for Science and Technology Development
Room 1207, Building of the National Agency for Innovation, 113 Tran Duy Hung Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi.
6. Tentative implementation timeline
– Selection evaluation: From September 2025 – December 2025
– Announcement of funding results: January 2026