The Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) has just issued Decision 2103/QD-BKHCN officially approving the "Program to support outstanding doctoral students in the period 2026-2030" (VREF Program), marking a strong shift in policy thinking, from supporting training to directly investing in outstanding research, aiming to form a force of young scientists with outstanding capabilities, capable of independent research, enhancing technological self-reliance and national competitiveness.

The VREF program is designed as a crucial component of the science, technology, and innovation (S&T) ecosystem, placing doctoral students at the center of cutting-edge research tasks. Resources will be selectively focused, prioritizing projects capable of generating core technologies and developing strategic technology products, while ensuring balanced development across scientific fields.

The program's breakthrough lies in its "results-based investment" approach. The selection mechanism is independent, transparent, and competitive, with evaluation criteria directly linked to specific outcomes. 

Furthermore, the Program encourages a multi-faceted cooperation model between the State, research institutes/universities, and businesses, gradually integrating businesses into the entire process from proposal to commercialization of results; while also promoting co-financing and strengthening international linkages.

The program aims to select and fund approximately 100 outstanding doctoral students annually. Priority will be given to groups directly involved in research projects that lead to the mastery and creation of core technologies and the development of strategic technological products; the remainder will be allocated to groups undertaking breakthrough research in other scientific fields.

The program focuses on supporting outstanding graduate students to directly carry out breakthrough research tasks, prioritizing topics with the potential to create core technologies and develop strategic technology products.

Instead of focusing on individuals, VREF aims to form a network of young scientists, thereby contributing to the building and development of strong research groups. 

Co-supervision mechanisms with foreign experts and Vietnamese intellectuals abroad are also encouraged, creating conditions for doctoral students to access global scientific standards right from the research process.

The program is implemented nationwide, with the participation of graduate students, higher education institutions, research institutes, science and technology organizations, as well as domestic and international experts and the business community. This is an open ecosystem in which the role of businesses is increasingly emphasized as a crucial link in the research-application-market value chain.

A nationwide open research ecosystem, connecting research institutes, universities, and businesses from idea to market.

In terms of resources, the state budget plays a leading role, while also promoting the mobilization of social resources from businesses and organizations both domestically and internationally. 

The management mechanism is designed to be flexible yet rigorous: Funding is allocated and adjusted according to progress and results; tasks that do not meet requirements will be modified or terminated, while scientific risks, if arising from the nature of the research, are considered acceptable on the basis of full compliance with regulations.

Alongside increasing autonomy for training institutions and research institutes, the Program also places high demands on accountability regarding academic quality, efficient use of resources, and the impact of research results.

The National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) is tasked with leading the comprehensive implementation of the Program, from developing regulations, selecting candidates, allocating funds, to monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting the Program. Functional units of the Ministry and related organizations will coordinate the implementation to ensure the Program operates effectively and in line with its objectives.

With a focus on core technologies, products, and markets as its ultimate goals, the VREF program is expected to become a strategic lever in developing high-quality scientific human resources, contributing to enhancing technological self-reliance and gradually positioning Vietnam in the global science, technology, and innovation value chain.

Center for Science and Technology Communication