Workshop "Improving the quality of developing proposal documents for applied research topics funded by the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development" - Photo: VGP/Thu Giang
On June 3, in Hanoi, the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) under the Ministry of Science and Technology held a workshop on "Improving the quality of preparing proposal documents for applied research topics funded by NAFOSTED".
Speaking at the workshop, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Ngoc Chien, Director of NAFOSTED, said that, implementing Resolution No. 57, the Minister of Science and Technology issued a Decision to transfer the status quo of tasks, human resources, finance, assets and related contents from the Office of State-level Key Programs and the Office of National Science and Technology Programs to the National Science and Technology Development Fund under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Accordingly, the Fund becomes the sole executive agency for national-level S&T tasks, undertaking both basic research, applied research and production. The new model helps streamline focal points, unify management, reduce administrative procedures, and increase flexibility and efficiency in management.
Currently, the Fund is simultaneously implementing research tasks under the KC and KX programs; tasks assigned by the Minister on basic, applied, potential and ad hoc research.
In an effort to innovate and promote scientific research activities linked to practice, NAFOSTED focuses on implementing important changes in the funding mechanism for applied research topics. These new points not only help improve the quality of research, but also contribute to opening up the flow of knowledge from the laboratory to the market, solving major problems of the economy and society.
NAFOSTED's funding of applied research aims to create a synchronous funding ecosystem, from basic research to experimental implementation and commercialization.
Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Thu Ha, National Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Technology, said that for an applied research topic to receive funding from the Fund, the proposal must clearly demonstrate practical needs, applicability and social impact. A good proposal must come from a real need, solving a "specific problem" instead of just a hypothesis.
In addition, Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Thu Ha also noted that in many cases, the lack of connection between the research team and the business makes the topic fall into isolation. When there is accompaniment from the business side, the explanation of feasibility, application plan and commercialization model will be more convincing - helping the topic to be easily reviewed by the Scientific Council and scored higher.
One of the most notable changes is the management and disbursement mechanism for funded research. Specifically, these studies are simplified in the direction of "contract spending". The host organization and the research team have the right to decide on expenditures within the approved budget.
According to Ms. Do Thi Hong Van, Finance - Accounting Department of NAFOSTED Fund, this mechanism helps to significantly reduce document procedures, especially for expenses such as: Purchasing materials, hiring experts, seminars, surveys... However, the spending mechanism also comes with higher requirements for transparency and accountability.
Along with that, the Fund also sets higher criteria for project leaders and research products. According to the new regulations, project leaders must have at least one invention, prestigious international article or plant variety protection certificate within the last 5-10 years. Products of applied research projects are prioritized as inventions, utility solutions or plant variety protection certificates instead of just articles as before.
In addition, social impact and commercialization potential are also included in the evaluation scale. This forces research teams to "think beyond" the academic scope.
According to Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Thu Ha, a successful research team cannot consist of only scientists. There needs to be a harmonious coordination between technical experts, market experts and application units. Only then will the topic be approved and have the opportunity to come to life.
Thu Giang
Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/doi-moi-co-che-tai-tro-nghien-cuu-ung-dung-ket-noi-khoa-hoc-voi-thuc-tien-102250603165343673.htm
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