Criteria for scientific journals to receive funding for capacity building in science and technology.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has just issued Circular 43/2025/TT-BKHCN regulating the management and support of activities to enhance scientific and technological capacity from the National Science and Technology Development Fund, as well as science, technology and innovation development funds under ministries, central and local agencies.

Circular 43/2025/TT-BKHCN is an important basis for strengthening the quality of research and development of technology and enhancing innovation capacity in the context of integration.

According to regulations, support aims to develop the national scientific and technological potential, improve the quality of research, and serve socio-economic development and national defense and security requirements. The review and support process must ensure objectivity, democracy, and equality; and must be publicly available on the electronic portal of the supporting agency and the national digital platform for managing science, technology, and innovation. A key requirement emphasized is to avoid duplicate support for activities already funded by the state budget.

Funding support is provided through two methods: firstly, a one-time grant to agencies and organizations implementing activities according to approved plans or proposals; and secondly, funding based on the results of the application review process, according to the requirements of each activity aimed at enhancing scientific and technological capacity.

The science and technology development funds at the central and local levels are responsible for receiving, reviewing, and implementing support.

Regarding the organization of scientific conferences, Circular 43/2025/TT-BKHCN clearly outlines the criteria for support consideration, emphasizing the requirements for the prestige of the organizing unit, the quality of the website introducing the conference, and the participation of reputable scientists in the field. Accordingly, the content of the conference must be consistent with the functions and activities of the organizing unit; the quality of the conference is assessed through the capacity of the organizing committee, the composition of participating scientists, the effectiveness of previous conferences if any, as well as the value of the conference to the research field and the potential to open up new cooperation in research, application, and technology transfer. The estimated budget must comply with current regulations.

For scientific journals, Circular 43/2025/TT-BKHCN refers to the criteria stipulated in Circular 27/2025/TT-BKHCN and Decree 262/2025/ND-CP. Accordingly, journals must meet the criteria of a Vietnamese scientific journal, have a transparent process for receiving, peer-reviewing, and publishing articles as prescribed, and comply with academic ethics and scientific publishing standards. Journals that meet the criteria well will receive support to improve editorial capacity, enhance online article management systems, strengthen peer review quality, and gradually achieve international standards.

The circular also clearly specifies the criteria for supporting various other activity groups such as technical initiatives and innovations, scientific communication and knowledge dissemination, short-term internships and research abroad, research activities of doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, or inviting outstanding scientists to Vietnam for academic exchange.

With the issuance of Circular 43/2025/TT-BKHCN, activities supporting the enhancement of scientific and technological capacity are standardized, transparent, and more clearly directed. This is expected to contribute to improving the quality of Vietnamese scientific journals, increasing the research capacity of scientists, and promoting innovation in the national science and technology system.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/tieu-chi-de-tap-chi-khoa-hoc-duoc-ho-tro-kinh-phi-nang-cao-nang-luc-khoa-hoc-va-cong-nghe-197251211134943636.htm