The programme is grounded in the implementation of the Party’s guidelines, notably including Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation as well as Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training.
According to the decision, doctoral candidates are identified as a core research force, directly carrying out and generating breakthroughs in science, technology, and innovation. Investing in the development of outstanding doctoral candidates is not only a human resource development solution but also a strategic, foundational investment aimed at cultivating a new generation of leading scientists and technology experts capable of driving the country’s future development.
The programme will be implemented with a shift from training support to investment in research excellence, focusing resources in a targeted manner, prioritising strategic technology fields while ensuring balanced development across other scientific disciplines.
It will also adopt a transparent and competitive selection mechanism, with performance-based evaluation and support linked to concrete outputs. At the same time, it will encourage co-funding cooperation from enterprises and science and technology organisations, strengthen international collaboration, and promote linkages among the state, research institutes/universities, and businesses.
The programme aims to support outstanding doctoral candidates in undertaking breakthrough research tasks, prioritising those with the potential to create core technologies, develop strategic technological products, and foster a cohort of young scientists with exceptional capabilities and independent research capacity, thereby enhancing technological self-reliance and national competitiveness.
In specific terms, the programme will select and provide research funding for approximately 100 outstanding doctoral candidates annually. Priority will be given to those directly involved in research tasks aimed at mastering and developing core technologies and strategic technological products, while the remainder will support candidates undertaking breakthrough research in other scientific fields.
Research outputs will be guided by clear targets: at least 60% of results to be published in reputable international scientific journals; at least 20% to involve registered intellectual property protection; and at least 15% of research outcomes to be transferred, commercialised, or applied in production and business practice.
At the same time, a network of young scientists participating in the programme will be established, contributing to the development of strong research groups, strengthening international cooperation — including collaboration with foreign experts and overseas Vietnamese intellectuals through co-supervision mechanisms — and enhancing the research capacity and scientific and technological potential of domestic universities, research institutes, and science and technology organisations.
In terms of funding, the state budget will ensure resources for the implementation of the VREF through annual allocations for science, technology, and innovation activities. Efforts will also be made to mobilise additional funding from enterprises and organisations both at home and abroad to support the programme’s implementation.
The National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) will serve as the lead agency responsible for organising and implementing the programme. The decision takes effect from the date of signing.
