Calling for participating “ Funding item for foreign talented experts and Vietnamese living abroad on Science, Technology and Innovation, Phase 1- 2014

                                                                                              ANNOUNCEMENT OF FUNDING

(Calling for participating “ Funding item for foreign talented experts and Vietnamese living abroad on Science, Technology and Innovation, Phase 1- 2014)

1. Socialist Republic of Vietnam and International Development Association (IDA) – World Bank (WB) have signed the financial agreement on 25^th July 2013 to implement the “Fostering Innovation through Research, Science and Technology” (FIRST) project. Vietnam Government assigned Ministry of Science and Technology to be the project manager. The main objectives of FIRST project are: (i) building and pilot implementation of new policies to contribute to complete national policies frame of promoting the development of Science- Technology , (ii) enhancing Government Research Institutes (GRI) capacities in accordance with close association with market’s demand and enterprises (iii) promoting innovation in enterprises, motivating the foundation and development of Science-Technology enterprises.

2. According to the signed agreement, FIRST project will implement “ Funding item for foreign talented experts and Vietnamese living abroad on Science, Technology and Innovation” Sub-component 1.a. as follows:

+ Participants: Research institutes, universities, enterprises ( state-owned or private), researchers, research groups, Vietnamese researchers associating with  foreign talented experts abroad and Vietnamese living abroad). Research institutes, universities take the role of financial manager representative for the received fund.

+ Funding: FIRST project finance 100% of the project implementation expenses and carry out according to competitive process. The maximum funding is US$200.000 and implementation duration is less than 24 months since the signing date of funding agreement and finish before 30^th June 2019. The first phase ( until 31^st December 2014), FIRST project will spend approximately US$1.000.000 ( adjusted if necessary) on funding the proposals.

+ Time for proposal submission: From 10.00 on 15^th July 2014 to 17.00 on 31^st December 2014, or until the next announcement of the Project management board.

 Detailed information on regulations and participation conditions, requirements, instructions, assessment and selection criteria, proposal submission type  can be found in the Instruction Form of Applying for funding of FIRST project  ( included forms) on www.first.most.vn.