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| Scientific research at the National Hospital of Endocrinology__Photo: Thanh Tung/VNA |
Circular 49/2026/TT-BKHCN, which took effect on August 1, sets a maximum monthly remuneration of VND 300 million for a chief engineer participating in a strategic technology development task.
The task leader may receive up to VND 150 million per month, while key members may receive up to VND 100-120 million per month, depending on their roles. These figures are ceilings used for preparing, appraising and approving remuneration estimates, with actual payments determined according to each person’s position, period of participation and proportion of working time devoted to the task.
Funding for strategic technology development tasks may come from the state budget and non-state sources, including counterpart contributions from participating organisations, enterprises and individuals, as well as other lawful funding sources.
The state budget may cover up to 100 per cent of the cost of State-ordered tasks; tasks aimed at researching and mastering core or foundational technologies or technologies of particular importance to enhancing national technological self-reliance and ensuring national defence and security; and tasks involving a high level of scientific or technological risk.
For tasks aimed at developing strategic technology products with potential for application, transfer and commercialisation, state budget support may cover up to 70 per cent of the total cost, with the remainder funded by counterpart contributions from participating organisations and individuals.
Counterpart contributions are not limited to cash. They may include machinery, equipment, technology production lines, laboratories, testing facilities, technical infrastructure, intellectual property rights, technology use rights, software and other lawful resources directly used to perform the task.
Another notable feature of the Circular is its approach to cost estimation and funding management. Estimates may be prepared by work package, with each package linked to specific objectives, outputs and implementation periods. Work packages may then be grouped according to evaluation milestones, allowing funding to be managed according to actual progress and results throughout the research, technology development, prototyping, testing, transfer and commercialisation process.
The Circular also permits two or more organisations or enterprises to carry out the same independent research by difference approaches. Each approach is separately budgeted, funded, contracted, paid for and settled. If an approach is terminated following an evaluation, the lead organisation may receive payment and final settlement for funding corresponding to completed work volume at evaluation milestones. No further funding will be provided for milestones or work that have yet to be carried out.
Lead organisations are also given greater financial autonomy. They may adjust funding between expenditure items within the same work package or between work packages under the same evaluation milestone, within prescribed limits. They may also independently select contractors and suppliers for the procurement or leasing of equipment, machinery, goods and services directly serving the task. Such decisions must comply with relevant laws and ensure transparency, efficiency, technical quality, progress and the absence of conflicts of interest.- (VLLF)
