The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has proposed the government support up to 100 percent of funding for scientific and technological research activities.

A science researcher looks at seedlings in a laboratory.

The proposal, part of a national programme on science and technology development towards 2020, has been submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.

This was announced by Tran Quoc Khanh, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, at a conference on May 19 introducing people to national scientific and technological programmes organised by the ministry and providing instructions on how to get involved.

Under the proposal, the State budget will provide up to 50 percent of funding for technology improvement activities, experimental production and technology projects, as well as projects on national products.

In addition, the MoST suggested the government give assistance of 30 percent of expenses to buy materials and equipment for experimental production and support 100 percent of the cost of short-term training and human resource development courses for organisations involved in the projects. The State will also assist in the commercialisation activities of products, market development, construction activities and infrastructure development.

There would be many programmes relating to science and technology development leading up to 2020 such as a national products development programme, a national programme on high technology development, and a national technology renovation programme, Khanh said.

All programmes would take a business-centred approach and focus investment on developing Vietnamese products that are competitive with other countries in the region and all over the world, he said.

According to Hoang Minh Thuc, Director General of the Department of Planning-General Affairs under MoST, all organisations and individuals working in the fields of science and technology who are capable of setting up scientific and technological enterprises can take part in the above-mentioned programmes.

To be eligible they should meet certain conditions such as the project leader having a bachelor or higher degree, the host institution must operate in the field of science or technology and have the financial capacity to implement the project, and they must have received orders from ministerial-level agencies or People’s Committees, Thuc said.