Newton Fund Vietnam: Call for applications for 2017 “Leaders in Innovation Fellowships” programme
Deadline for concept notes is 17:00 on 14 September 2017 (Vietnam time).
Within the framework of the Newton Fund Vietnam year 4, the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation under the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology and the UK Royal Academy of Engineering invite applications from Vietnamese researchers to attend the “Leaders in Innovation Fellowships” programme.
The programme aims to build the capacity of Vietnamese researchers for entrepreneurship and commercialisation of their research and create international networks of innovators and technology entrepreneurs. The programme is aimed at researchers who are about to develop, or are in the process of developing, a business proposition for their innovation.
I. Programme design
The LIF 2017 Vietnam programme consists of the following stages:
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Stage 1: Introduction training on technology commercialisation prior to the training in the UK, led by NATEC in cooperation with the UK experts.
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Stage 2: Two-week residential training in London, for 14 Vietnamese researchers and 1 representative from NATEC, with coaching and mentoring for all participants.
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Stage 3: Follow-on activities in Vietnam, with the guidance of NATEC and the collaboration of the Vietnamese research organisations sending participants.
II. Eligibility criteria
Researchers interested in this programme must meet the following criteria:
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Be a Vietnamese citizen and currently living in Vietnam.
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Be a researcher at a Vietnamese university or research institution (private or public sector); or an independent researcher who holds a national patent; or a researcher working in the research and development department of a Vietnamese start-up company.
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Be in the founding team of a proposed innovation and in the process of developing a business proposition for their innovation; priorities are given to the engineering-based innovation.
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Innovation’s technological readiness: at least at proven concept or prototype level.
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Have a good command of English skills.
III. Selection criteria
Selection decisions will be made on the basis of:
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Prioritised sectors: no limitation but priorities are given to innovation in the fields of health; agriculture; environment and energy; future cities/urban engineering; or digital innovation and creativity.
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Excellence of the research: Excellence, novelty and/or effectiveness of the proposed innovation.
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Potential of the innovation for commercialisation: Feasibility, market size and potential benefit of the proposed business plan.
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Expected benefit(s) of the innovation to the Vietnam’s socio-economic development.
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The applicant’s potential to contribute to develop the Vietnamese innovation ecosystem.
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The applicant’s potential in taking the idea forward: Track record (including technical and non-technical capabilities) and entrepreneurial potential and commercial awareness of the applicant.
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English language skills of the applicant.
IV. Tentative timetable
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1 August to 14 September 2017: NATEC receives and screens Concept notes to select about 30-35 eligible and most competitive concept notes.
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17 August 2017 in Ho Chi Minh city and 22 August 2017 in Hanoi: NATEC holds information sessions to introduce the programme to interested applicants.
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26 - 27 September 2017 in Hanoi: Orientation training and networking session with last years LIF cohorts, led by NATEC in collaboration with UK experts from RAEng.
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28 September to 4 October 2017: NATEC and RAEng receive complete applications from shortlisted applicants.
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9 - 11 October 2017: Panel meetings of Vietnamese experts to assess the applications and interview applicants.
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13 October to 3 November 2017: RAEng’s reviewers assess 20-25 applications recommended by NATEC and agree on final participant funding decision.
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6 November 2017: Result announcement to the selected applicants.
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4-15 December 2017: Residential training in London, UK.
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December 2017 onwards: Follow-on activities in Vietnam.
V. Budget and funding
1. Funding from Royal Academy of Engineering
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UK experts for the training in Hanoi on 26 September 2017
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Return economy air-tickets between Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh city and London for researchers
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Travel, accommodation and subsistence for the residential training in the UK
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Venue, trainers and coaches for the residential training in the UK
2. Funding from NATEC
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Organisation and Vietnamese trainers for the training in Hanoi on 26-27 September 2017
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Support for Vietnamese researcher to attend the innovation networking events in Vietnam
3. Self-support from the applicants
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Travel and subsistence to attend the training in Hanoi on 26-27 September 2017
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Visa fee and compulsory travel insurance to attend the residential training in the UK
VI. How to apply
Step 1: Submission of Concept notes
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Applicants submit their concept notes at this link.
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The applicants notify their application and submit scanned copies of their English skill certificates and Patent certificates to these email addresses: lif.natec@gmail.com and newtonfund.vietnam@fco.gov.uk
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Deadline for concept notes submission: 17:00 on 14 September 2017 (Vietnam time).
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Notes: only eligible applications will be considered
Step 2: Submission of Full applications.
This step is only applicable to the shortlisted applicants. A detailed guidance will be sent to the shortlisted applicants via emails about 5-7 days after the deadline of concept notes.
VII. Contacts
For further information please contact:
- Ms. Do Hai Minh Ngoc, Officer, National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation. Tel: +84 24 3943 6865, email: dhmngoc@most.gov.vn
- Ms. Phan Lien Huong, Research and Innovation Programme Manager, British Embassy Hanoi. Tel: +84 24 3936 0597; email: phan.huong@fco.gov.uk
About “Leaders in Innovation Fellowships” programme
Learn more about .
About the Newton Fund
The Newton Fund builds research and innovation partnerships with 18 partner countries to support their economic development and social welfare, and to develop their research and innovation capacity for long-term sustainable growth. It has a total UK Government investment of £735 million up until 2021, with matched resources from the partner countries.
The Newton Fund is managed by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and delivered through 15 UK delivery partners, which include the Research Councils, the UK Academies, the British Council, Innovate UK and the Met Office.
For further information visit the Newton Fund website and follow via Twitter.