Under the Vietnam Research Excellence Fellowship Program (VREF), around 100 candidates will be selected annually, with maximum funding of up to VND3 billion over three years.

This marks an unprecedented level of investment in doctoral training support in Vietnam.

From “doctoral training” to “excellent research investment”

The fundamental shift in the program lies not in the funding size, but in its approach. For the first time, PhD candidates are defined as core research forces who directly produce scientific outputs, rather than merely learners.

The program is designed toward a strong shift from training support to investment in excellent research, focusing on tasks capable of creating core technologies and strategic technological products.

This reflects a major change in policy thinking: instead of “expanding in quantity,” the State is beginning to choose “investing in depth,” placing expectations on individuals who can create breakthroughs.

In reality, although the number of PhD candidates in Vietnam has increased in recent years, output quality still lags behind international standards.

The core cause lies in the lack of resources: many PhD candidates do not have enough conditions to participate in in-depth research activities, make international publications, or carry out academic cooperation.

VREF is expected to address this bottleneck by providing sufficient resources for full-time research, still a luxury in the domestic scientific environment.

Linking research with core technology and the market

One of the most notable features of the program is its requirement to tie research to concrete outputs. PhD candidates are expected not only to publish but also to pursue intellectual property registration, technology transfer, and commercialization.

This is a step toward moving research out of the “ivory tower” into the real-world innovation ecosystem.

The program also encourages early participation from businesses through co-funding, joint implementation, and application of results.

This helps form a close linkage between the State, academia, and enterprises, often described as the “golden triangle” of innovation.

Priority will be given to projects related to core technologies and strategic tech products, signaling Vietnam’s shift from “technology application” to “technology mastery” amid intensifying global competition.

Conditional investment mechanism

Beyond strong financial support, VREF comes with strict a management mechanism. PhD candidates will be evaluated against milestones and output targets, with continued funding tied directly to performance.

Projects that fail to meet requirements may be adjusted, suspended, or terminated.

This reflects a key shift from “granting” to “conditional investment,” where the State not only funds but also demands clear accountability for results.

At the same time, the program introduces a notable new element: acceptance of risk in scientific research. Projects with strong potential but objective risks may still receive flexible consideration if they comply with regulations.

This is critical, as breakthrough research inherently involves risk - something traditional management frameworks don’t accept.

The bigger question: can it build an “excellent science ecosystem”?

Despite its innovative design, a larger question remains: can a single program, even with strong funding, create a generation of world-class scientists?

In reality, research quality depends not only on funding but also on academic environments, institutional autonomy, and the ability to attract and retain talent.

VREF may serve as an initial catalyst, but building an excellent scientific ecosystem will require deeper reforms, from recruitment and evaluation systems to the development of strong research groups and international collaboration networks.

Still, Vietnam’s willingness to invest up to VND1 billion per year in a single PhD candidate sends a strong signal. It reflects a shift in how science is perceived, from cost to investment, from support to strategic bet.

If effectively implemented, the program could not only produce better-trained PhDs but also lay the foundation for a new generation of scientists capable of leading Vietnam’s strategic technology sectors in the coming decade.

Thai Khang