On August 11, 2025, representatives from the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) met with scientists at the Institute of Life Sciences and Faculty of Biology, Dalat University to share recent updates on research funding programs, emphasizing transparency, efficiency, and international integration.
Key highlights:
- Streamlined procedures to shorten review and approval time
- Enhanced international collaboration, prioritizing interdisciplinary and highly applicable projects.
- Adjusted funding levels to better support high-quality research teams.
- Post-funding support to promote international publications and research commercialization.
Regarding new regulations, the Ministry of Science and Technology has issued Consolidated Document No. 04/VBHN-BKHCN (January 5, 2025), unifying the management circulars for NAFOSTED-funded projects.
Eligibility criteria:
- Exploration and discovery topic: Scientists under 40 years old, PhD, with more than 1 prestigious international article in 5 years; duration 36 months. Output requirement: 01 prestigious international article
- Development topic: Project leader and ≥ 2 members with ≥ 1 prestigious international article; duration 48–60 months. Output requirements: 02 prestigious international articles, 01 PhD student
Application period – 2nd Call, 2025:
- • Opens: August 9, 2025.
- • Average funding:
- Theoretical exploration: 1.2 billion VND (36 months)
- Experimental exploration: 1.8 billion VND (36 months)
- Theoretical development: 3.0 billion VND (48–60 months)
- Experimental development: 4.5 billion VND (48–60 months)
Budget classification:
- Lump-sum items: remuneration, materials, workshops, surveys, general management.
- Non-lump-sum items: procurement, repairs, asset rental, overseas trips.
NAFOSTED representatives emphasized that these updates aim to foster a professional research environment, promote innovation, and strengthen Vietnam’s scientific standing in the region.
For details and application instructions, see: https://nafosted.gov.vn/
