Vietnam Proposes New Budget and Management Mechanisms for Strategic Technology Development

The Ministry of Science and Technology is developing new budgeting mechanisms for strategic technology and urgent tasks, focusing on managing research output to promote commercialization. Draft amendments to decrees related to the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation were released by the Ministry of Science and Technology in early September, seeking feedback from ministries, sectors, and localities. This draft proposes amendments to Government Decrees No. 262, 263, 265, 267, and 268 of 2025, which detail and guide the implementation of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation. The changes aim to address difficulties and create a more transparent legal framework for the sector, covering scientific and technological tasks, the organization of scientific and technological activities, finance, and human resources. Specifically, new regulations are being added for strategic technology development, beyond existing provisions for budget estimation. The budget for strategic technology development programs and tasks will be formulated based on the approval decision of the competent authority and the estimated budget proposal from the implementing organization. Furthermore, the Ministry proposes new regulations allowing budget estimation for urgent tasks outside the annual budgeting process. This will be based on directives from competent authorities and budget proposals from ministries, ministerial-level agencies, central agencies, and provincial People's Committees. To facilitate businesses participating in state-funded science and technology tasks for the first time, the Ministry proposes abolishing the current requirement for organizations to have previously led at least three tasks under the "contract to final product" method. Regarding research output, the draft proposes allowing the lead organization to manage and utilize it. The state will only require the acceptance of results in necessary cases as stipulated by the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation. This change aims to empower lead organizations to drive the application, transfer, and commercialization of research outcomes. Administrative procedures related to science and technology tasks are also being streamlined. The task approval phase will be reduced by 20 days, from 110 to 90 days. Procedures for notifying mid-term evaluation results, deciding on termination, and final settlement will also be shortened by 10-20 days. Policies for science and technology human resources will be revised, including changes in the classification of ranks and regulations for the recruitment of civil servants. The system of titles for scientific and technological organizations is expected to include scientific and technological titles, each with five ranks from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Specific regulations for considering individuals for civil servant positions will be introduced to ensure the recruitment of individuals with outstanding achievements outside the regular examination process. Specifically, individuals active in science, technology, and innovation who meet the requirements of the position, possess practical applications, tangible results, products, projects, inventions, or scientific solutions that have demonstrated clear effectiveness, may be considered for recruitment as civil servants. The draft will consolidate feedback from ministries, sectors, and localities by September 18 and is expected to be submitted to the Government for approval this year. Source: VnExpress