On October 8, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung signed Decision No. 1951/QD-TTg to approve the scheme on “Restructuring National Science, Technology, and Innovation Programmes for the 2026–2035 Period.” The Ministry of Science and Technology has been assigned as the focal agency for its implementation.
The scheme requires a review of national programmes that remain in effect, alongside the updating of newly approved programmes, to address fragmentation and the scattered allocation of resources and avoid duplication in objectives, content, outputs, and resources.
Linking research with application
The programmes covered by the scheme are organised into six groups: development of national science, technology, and innovation capacity; basic research; national key programmes; national innovation; special national programmes; and national digital transformation.
These groups cover areas ranging from human resource development, research organisations and shared infrastructure to knowledge creation and technology development, transfer, and commercialisation. National key programmes focus on addressing major interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral challenges, while special national programmes target large-scale objectives and strategic technologies and products. The digital transformation group promotes digital government, the digital economy and digital society.
The organisation of programmes into six groups does not create any new types of programmes, intermediate management levels, dossiers, or administrative procedures, nor does it change the powers stipulated by law.
The scheme identifies enterprises as central to the application, transfer, and innovation of technology, innovation, and commercialisation. Market demand and practical development needs will serve as benchmarks and guide research. Research institutes and higher education institutions will play a core role in knowledge creation, the development of core and strategic technologies, and human resource training.
Enterprises are encouraged to propose, commission, fund, or co-fund tasks, and to lead or collaborate in their implementation. For 2026–2030, the target is for enterprises to lead or collaborate in at least 50% of commissioned tasks, with their counterpart funding accounting for at least 40% of the total funding for these tasks. For 2031–2035, the respective targets will rise to at least 60% and 50%.
Research outcomes will continue to be monitored after tasks are completed, providing a basis for selecting projects for support in technology refinement, application, transfer, and commercialisation. The scheme also promotes the exploitation of intellectual property rights and the development of intermediary organisations and platforms connecting technology supply and demand.
Developing strategic technologies and improving investment efficiency
For 2026–2030, the scheme aims to establish 30 strong research groups meeting regional standards; develop at least 20 national key products and strategic technology products; and develop at least 20 enterprises capable of mastering strategic technologies and products, including at least five whose products participate in global value chains.
For 2031–2035, the targets are to develop a cumulative total of at least 50 strong research groups meeting international standards, and to complete and commercialise on an industrial scale a cumulative total of at least 50 national key products and strategic technology products with international competitiveness. In addition, at least 30 enterprises are to be developed that can master strategic technologies and products, including at least 10 whose products participate in global value chains.
The proportion of tasks producing results that are protected by intellectual property rights or published in prestigious international journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) or Scopus databases is targeted to reach at least 40% in the first phase and 50% in the second.
The scheme also aims to establish at least 250 innovative start-ups in the 2026–2030 period and at least 500 in the 2031–2035 period, through the testing and refinement of technologies, product development, and the commercialisation of research outcomes and intellectual property rights.
Management will shift towards an approach based on objectives, results, efficiency, and actual impact. Greater autonomy will be accompanied by accountability, while controlled risks appropriate to the specific nature of research will be accepted.
The target is for 100% of programmes covered by the scheme to be monitored and evaluated on a national digital platform. Evaluation results will serve as a basis for adjusting objectives, allocating resources, and deciding, within the relevant authorities’ powers, whether programmes should continue or be adjusted, merged, or terminated.
Implementation resources will come from the state budget and other lawful sources, with enterprises, organisations, individuals, and international cooperation encouraged to participate. Budget allocations will be focused and aligned with each programme’s objectives, priority level, and potential impact.
In 2026, the Ministry of Science and Technology will review and reorganise programmes under its authority and those assigned to it by the Prime Minister; develop and operate the digital platform; and consolidate mechanisms for professional consultation and coordination. The ministry will provide guidance on applying evaluation criteria in the first quarter of 2027, conduct a mid-term evaluation of the scheme in 2030, and review its overall implementation in 2035.
Ministries, central-level agencies, and localities will coordinate in reviewing programmes, identifying needs, proposing tasks, and applying and scaling up results. The decision takes effect on the date of signing.
