The Scientific Committees in Natural Science were established in order to select projects to provide funding, evaluate the performance of funded projects, and determine development strategy and the direction of basic research as prioritized by the Foundation. The members were impartially selected from scientists having outstanding scientific achievements all over the country. In the last three years, 75 scientists, members of the Committees, have greatly contributed their expertise to provide advice in an unbiased manner for the Foundation’s activities, especially in basic research in natural science. At the end of their working mandate from 2009 to 2012, on the behalf of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and Executive Office, Chairman Le Dinh Tien has sent an acknowledgement letter to members of the Scientific Committees. He deeply appreciated the contribution  of the former committees and looks forward to future collaboration. Acknowledgement letter of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees to members of Scientific Committees.

The National Foundation for Science and Technology Development announces the call for proposals in social science and humanities. Applications must be received at the latest at 16h30 on September 14 2012, applications received after this date will be considered in the next term. 1. Objectives: Build a durable, innovative and conducive environment to social sciences and humanities research activities at universities and institutes Improve the research capacity of young scientists and establish research centers that meet international standards and develop high-quality human resources in social sciences and humanities Enhance the quality of scientific research and increase the number of Vietnamese research published in ISI-covered journals. 2. Scope of funding: Basic research in the field of Philosophy, Religiology, Sociology and Politics; Economics; Law; History, Archeology and Ethnology; International and Area Studies; Psychology and Pedagogy; Literature and Linguistics; Cultural studies, Art, Journalism, Media and Communication. 3. Eligibility of applicants: Scientists, from universities, research institutions of science and technology in Viet Nam, who meet all the requirements according to Nafosted’s Regulations of implementation of basic research in social sciences and humanities, attached to Decision No 3/QD-HDQLQ dated on 8 April, 2010 of the Board of Trustees. 4. Grant application: 4.1: Application: a. Application form b. Research proposal c. Curriculum vitae of project principal investigator and members d. Proofs of research achievements: Three (03) publications in national scientific journals and one (01) monograph or one (01) publication in ISI-covered journals of the principal investigator 4.2. Remarks: – Hard copy: 03 copies of research proposal in Vietnamese (01 original version certified by the leading organization) and 01 copy  in  English – Electronic copy:  use Online Management System – OMS to create and submit the application or store application in CD (file .doc, Times New Roman 13pts) – Supported documents (not bound with the application form, research proposal, CV) includes: 1 monograph or article, 2 copies of the cover of the monograph or journal that show the author name, title, publish year, publisher. – The PI should complete the document checklist before submitting the application 4.3. Deadline and Contact Information: Application reception: From 08h30 on 14/8/2012 to 16h30 on 14/9/2012. Send applications to: Executive Office National Foundation for Science and Technology Developmen 38 Ngo Quyen, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. Tel: (04) 39367750 Granty procedure: – Review and classify application: 15/9/2012 to 30/9/2012 – Evaluate and select application:  01/10/2012 to 15/11/2012 – Announce selected projects:  16/11/2012 to 15/12/2012 – Complete and sign contract: 16/12/2012 to 15/01/2013 – Disburse grant:  01/2013

n May 2012, science funding agencies from all over the world have participated in the Global Summit on Merit Review hosted by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) at its headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The 2-day Global Summit on Merit Review capped a year-long effort to develop the new statement, which highlights key elements for the review system to support scientific research, to establish principles in order to promote research cooperation across countries and continents. “These are not necessarily all-inclusive principles,” said NSF Director Subra Suresh, who has been looking for ways to foster international research cooperation, “but they are basic principles we all agreed on.” Such agreement could help smooth the way for multinational research projects, he noted. The Global Research Council (GRC) was formally created, comprised of the leaders of publicly funded science agencies from about 50 nations, also released its first work product, a common set of principles that frame how funders should review and choose the most worthy research projects.  Suresh also announced the GRC is not intended to be “a new bureaucracy”. Instead, the goal is to create forum for “high-level discussions” of more general policy issues that focus on developing common views on safeguarding research integrity and expanding open access. The Nationanl Foundation for Science and Technology Development were presented at the summit and benefited from this opportunity to learn and exchange experience on scientific management and review, as well as broadened its cooperation with international agencies

On May 28 2012, the Minister of Science and Technology appointed Mr. Do Tien Dzung as the Director of the Executive Office of the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development for a 5-year mandate. The Decision took effect on June 1st 2012.