Reforming science and technology funds in the direction of rewarding and being practical

Organizing an efficient and effective science and technology apparatus

Resolution 57 of the Politburo in 2024 was issued in the context of the 4th industrial revolution spreading and profoundly changing all areas of life, having great significance for the development of not only science and technology (S&T), innovation but also being a compass and launching pad for the rapid and sustainable development of Vietnam.

Organizing the S&T apparatus towards high performance, strong implementation and clear effectiveness is no longer an option but an inevitable requirement. After many years of operation with existing problems in mechanisms, decentralization, coordination and evaluation of results, Vietnam's S&T system is facing a comprehensive organizational revolution, aiming to remove inherent bottlenecks, while creating a solid institutional foundation for breakthrough development.

Microcircuit and High Frequency Systems Laboratory, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology

PHOTO: NGOC DUONG

This revolution is not only about streamlining and reorganizing the apparatus but also about building a flexible and innovative operating ecosystem according to practical needs, with the ability to closely connect the state, businesses, research institutes and universities. With this orientation, Vietnam is transforming strongly, resolutely restructuring the foundation of science and technology organizations to enhance competitiveness, catch up with global trends and proactively create the future with knowledge and technology in the era of national development.

To put the superior institutions in Resolution 57 into practice, it is necessary to design and create the development of a truly appropriate and worthy national science and technology apparatus. In terms of resources and resource allocation, it is necessary to focus on science and technology funds as a tool to promote innovation, improve efficiency and reward output results.

In this ecosystem, science and technology funds play the role of "a source of intellectual energy", helping to nurture creative ideas, unleash research potential and promote effective application of research results into practice. In the context of Vietnam promoting institutional reform in the spirit of Resolution 57, the reform, development and optimization of science and technology funds are being proposed as a strategic solution to improve national efficiency and competitiveness in the new era of development.

Create real motivation

First, science and technology funds must transform from a resource allocation tool to a tool for motivating and unleashing creativity. Currently, many funds operate mainly according to a mechanism that is heavily administrative in nature, placing more emphasis on processes and procedures than on encouraging results. This leads to a situation of "safety, low risk but low innovation" in research investment and greatly inhibits truly creative scientists.

In order for the science and technology fund to create a real driving force for innovation, the state needs to accept controlled creative risks and encourage pioneering and adventurous research that has the potential to create breakthroughs. This is of great significance for intellectual innovation, especially high-level intellectual innovation associated with major inventions and discoveries.

In addition, priority will be given to funding new ideas, aiming at solutions to major national issues such as green economy, energy transition, digital technology, artificial intelligence, biomedicine, semiconductor technology, etc. The funds will operate on the basis of promoting funding according to a competitive, transparent, unequal or spread-out mechanism to create intellectual innovations of sufficient scope commensurate with large enough investment, suitable and feasible when deployed.

Second, it is necessary to change the mindset of research funding towards rewarding output results. This is one of the breakthroughs in the mindset of science and technology funding in the modern world, which is to shift from funding based on input (funding, number of participants, working days) to rewarding output (quality, impact, application). This is also the direction that needs to be pursued to increase the feasibility and real effectiveness of research, thereby encouraging unlimited creativity to promote the development of Vietnam.

Therefore, there needs to be a mechanism to link research funding to specific results such as patents, international publications, technological products, and practical application solutions. Especially intellectual creations that are large enough to spread and contribute to promoting the application of socio-economic development of the country and locality. In addition, the fund should be designed to operate with large rewards for high-impact research, especially research that can be transferred to businesses, to society, or that contributes to policies promoting governance and national development.

Management needs to establish a flexible post-audit mechanism, evaluating the effectiveness of funding use not only through records, but also based on the actual value delivered. Science and technology funds need to have a "pull" mechanism instead of a "push" mechanism - that is, instead of just looking for topics to fund, build strategic "orders" from the state and businesses, thereby attracting strong research groups to implement with a clear commitment to results commensurate with the funding and appropriate financial investment.

Encourage large corporations to invest in R&D

Third, it is necessary to diversify funding sources and operating models of multi-layered science and technology funds with diverse resources. In which, state funds (such as Nafosted Fund, National Technology Innovation Fund) continue to play a role in funding basic research, strategic research and national technology. For private and corporate funds, encourage large corporations to invest in research and development (R&D), establish funds

Internal science and technology or public-private partnerships to promote all resources. Venture science funds finance high-risk projects with great potential for breakthroughs, creating rapid and breakthrough development for the country and businesses. In addition, the fund's operating model also needs to be flexible, with a professional, independent, non-administrative executive board, evaluated based on actual effectiveness rather than on form.

Fourth, to be feasible and effective, it is necessary to closely link science and technology funds with the innovation market. Reality shows that if science and technology really bring value to the economy, funds need to be designed as a bridge between research and the market. This is important, creating spillover and practical efficiency, such as funding technology start-up projects, spin-offs from universities and research institutes to create momentum; accompanying businesses in the process of testing, perfecting technology, and prototype products. Supporting scientists in protecting and commercializing intellectual property, connecting investors and the market, creating practical value through efficiency; thereby encouraging and promoting intellectual creativity and investment efficiency in science and technology.

Finally, it is necessary to promote harmonious connection and linkage of all resources of the state and enterprises, domestic and international in the spirit of community responsibility, harmonious benefits, and shared risks to attract and double resources. Through flexible and creative channels and solutions to create institutions to turn Vietnam into a place with a favorable ecosystem for intellectual creations, innovative startups of the region and the world; thereby promoting the development of science and technology and innovation in Vietnam quickly and sustainably.

When the science and technology fund truly plays the role of "financial referee for innovation", scientists will have more space to experiment, research organizations will be more proactive in development and connection, and the entire national innovation ecosystem will be unleashed in the right direction, with the right strength, at the right time and rising to the right level of the times.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cai-to-quy-khoa-hoc-va-cong-nghe-theo-huong-trong-thuong-thuc-chat-185250511203400901.htm