Ministry of Science and Technology sponsors potential topics in the direction of strategic technology products

Recently, the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) under the Ministry of Science and Technology has announced a plan to implement funding for potential projects in the direction of developing strategic technology products. Accordingly, organizations and individuals operating in the field of science and technology in Vietnam can register to implement potential projects in the direction of developing strategic technology products, with funding from NAFOSTED.

The funding is implemented according to Decision No. 1131/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister issued in June 2025, identifying 11 strategic technology groups and 35 priority technology product groups to promote the development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation (ST&DT) in the country.

Potential research topics (PTs) funded by NAFOSTED are managed according to the provisions of Circular No. 40/2014/TT-BKHCN dated December 18, 2014 of the Minister of Science and Technology regulating the management of S&T tasks of important scientific and practical significance, potential S&T tasks funded by NAFOSTED, amended and supplemented by Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BKHCN dated December 30, 2024 of the Minister of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as Circular 40). The Fund announces the implementation plan for funding PTs (in the direction of developing strategic technology products) as follows:

Strategic technology groups and strategic technology product groups include:

Artificial intelligence, digital twins, virtual reality/augmented reality group with six products: Vietnamese language model, virtual assistant, specialized artificial intelligence (AI), analytical AI, digital twins (Digital Twin) and virtual universe (Metaverse).

AI is among 11 strategic technology groups.

The cloud computing - quantum computing - big data group includes three products: cloud computing services, quantum computing and communications, and large-scale data centers.

Blockchain group focuses on digital assets, digital currencies, cryptocurrencies; blockchain network infrastructure and traceability systems.

The 5G/6G mobile network group includes ORAN-standard radio access network equipment and solutions, 5G/6G core network, and high-speed IP transmission solutions.

The robotics and automation group includes autonomous mobile robots, industrial robots, advanced food processing lines for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and post-harvest quality monitoring and preservation systems.

Semiconductor chip group includes specialized chips, AI chips and IoT chips.

The advanced biomedical group focuses on next-generation vaccines, gene therapy in medicine and agriculture , and cell therapy such as stem cells and immune cells.

The energy and advanced materials group includes safe small nuclear reactors, lithium-ion and solid-state batteries, fuels and electrolytes, and advanced materials.

The rare earth - ocean - underground group includes reserve assessment system, rare earth mining and refining, smart geological exploration technology, deep sea mining solutions, and offshore energy exploitation technology.

The cybersecurity group includes firewall solutions and security systems for critical infrastructure and national databases.

The group of aviation and space technology includes low-altitude remote sensing and telecommunications satellites, ground stations and satellite control, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The aviation and aerospace technology group is included in 11 strategic technology groups.

Organizations and individuals currently engaged in science and technology in Vietnam can submit applications to implement the project in two phases: Phase 1 from July 8, 2025 to 5:00 p.m. on July 22, 2025; Phase 2 ends before 5:00 p.m. on August 8, 2025.

Applications can be submitted directly at the one-stop portal of the Ministry of Science and Technology or online via the NAFOSTED Science and Technology Task Management System (https://e-services.nafosted.gov.vn/) and the Vietnam Innovation Portal (https://sangkien.mst.gov.vn/). Funding results will be announced in August and September 2025.

The program to sponsor potential topics oriented towards strategic technology products is expected to create an important boost to develop "Make in Vietnam" science and technology products, contributing to improving technological autonomy, serving economic growth, ensuring national security and deep international integration.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/bo-khcn-tai-tro-de-tai-tiem-nang-theo-dinh-huong-san-pham-cong-nghe-chien-luoc-197250715150418454.htm