Develop a Law to promote the national research system

Information was shared by the Ministry of Science and Technology – the agency in charge of developing the Draft Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, at a working session with the Ministry of Education and Training on this Law project on May 25. /12 in Hanoi.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy said that one of the new points in the draft Law is the regulations on investment and finance to serve the development of science, technology and innovation.

The draft Law adds regulations on building a master plan for national science, technology and innovation development as a basis for ministries, branches and localities to build annual plans in this field. This includes reserve funds for scientific and technological tasks in unexpected and emergency situations.

Amend regulations on implementing the lump sum payment mechanism in implementing science and technology tasks. Draft Law perfecting regulations to attract investment outside the state budget for science, technology and innovation activities.

Many other regulations also “open up” the financial flow for the National Science and Technology Development Fund, funds of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, other central agencies, provinces and centrally run cities. for scientific and technological activities.

According to Mr. Duy, the draft Law removes the requirement to register scientific and technological activities for all organizations, instead only regulating the establishment and registration of activities for R&D organizations. This is to create more favorable conditions for strong research organizations and to screen ineffective organizations, in accordance with the goal of streamlining the State apparatus according to Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW.

Draft Law supplementing regulations on special public R&D organizations operating in areas the State prioritizes investment; Supplementing regulations on autonomy mechanisms for public R&D organizations; Supplementing the principle of accepting risks and delays in scientific research and technological development; Supplementing regulations on research ethics and the responsibility of R&D organizations to promulgate and enforce regulations on scientific ethics.

Regarding science, technology and innovation human resources, the draft Law expands to research master’s students, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers; individuals manage this activity in businesses and other organizations. Regulation of preferential policies suitable for each type of human resources engaged in science, technology and innovation activities.

One of the changes in this draft Law is the provision that individuals engaged in scientific research and technological development activities in public science and technology organizations can participate in establishing and operating commercial enterprises. synthesize research results created by member scientists. This is considered a breakthrough regulation to promote links between the research sector and businesses to help improve the level of businesses, link research with practice and promote commercialization of research results.

Deputy Minister Duy added that programs, tasks and research topics will be implemented in two ways: ordered by the State and proposed by organizations and individuals to have a contracting mechanism. suitable results. This move aims to promote commercialization of scientific research results and technology development using state budget. Funds will be assigned to the host organization, not directly to the project leader. In addition, joint use of laboratories and collaborative mechanisms between research institutions will be encouraged to optimize resources.

Appreciating the progressive points mentioned in the draft Law, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son proposed clarifying the roles and functions between research institutes and universities to avoid duplication. It is necessary to develop applied research combined with training, focusing on linking human and financial resources for science, technology and innovation.

To effectively use the operating funds of universities, he said it is necessary to promote cooperation and technology transfer, and unify regulations on property and funding for science and technology. Science and technology tasks and programs require linkages between many units and financial management agencies. Accordingly, the evaluation of the effectiveness of science and technology programs and the use of funds should be done seriously.

In addition, it is necessary to develop human resource training programs and clarify the role of innovation in current laws. Legally, it is necessary to clearly regulate non-commercial R&D organizations and supporting tax mechanisms, to optimize the use of resources for research and development.

The draft Law on Science, Technology and Innovation includes 14 chapters and 83 articles; In which many main and important contents are inherited from the 2013 Law.

According to the plan, this Law will be submitted to the National Assembly for comments at the 9th session (May 2025) and submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval at the 10th session (October 2025).