1. Introduction

The Center for Materials Innovation & Technology (CMIT) is proud to launch its Call for Proposals AY25-26, inviting faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and research teams to submit high-impact project ideas aligned with CMIT’s strategic themes:

• Rare-Earth Materials & Recycling Technologies
• Sustainable Energy Materials
• Quantum Materials for Next-Generation Technologies
• AI-Integrated Smart Sensors for Environmental and Healthcare Monitoring

CMIT’s mission is to drive breakthrough research, cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration, and accelerate technology translation in advanced materials to support Vietnam’s global ambitions in clean energy, electronics, quantum systems and smart sensing.

2. Funding Opportunities

CMIT offers two categories of internal funding for AY25-26 to stimulate innovation and proposal development:

Category	Maximum Funding	Duration	Objective
Grassroot Grants	Up to USD 20,000 per project	18 months	Support early-stage ideas, pilot data generation and groundwork for larger funding proposals.
Flagship Grants	Up to USD 300,000 per project	Up to 3 years	Support larger interdisciplinary research initiatives with strong potential for international impact and industry application.

3. Eligibility

• Full-time faculty members and postdoctoral researchers of VinUniversity are eligible to apply.
• Applicants are expected to have a strong research track record with demonstrated experience in conducting high-quality, peer-reviewed research.
• Priority will be given to proposals led by experienced investigators or teams with a proven ability to secure competitive funding, produce impactful publications, or translate research into practical outcomes.
• Projects must align with at least one of CMIT’s four research themes, and are encouraged to demonstrate collaboration potential across multiple themes, departments, or with external partners (industry, academic institutions, or research agencies).
• Applicants are encouraged to leverage or commit to pursuing external funding sources (national, international, or industrial) and/or demonstrate commercialization potential for their proposed research.

4. Application Process

Applicants should prepare a proposal including:

• Project title and list of team members (PI + co-PIs + key personnel)
• Executive summary (1 page)
• Project description (up to 5 pages): background, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes and impact
• Budget and justification (including leveraging external funding or industry partnership)
• Timeline with milestones and deliverables
• Plans for cross-theme/center collaboration and technology translation (if applicable)

Submit your complete proposal as a single PDF by email to: cmit@vinuni.edu.vn and research@vinuni.edu.vn.

Subject line format: “CMIT Call AY25-26 – [Your Full Name] – [Project Title]”

Template: [LINK]

Application deadline: 30 November 2025

Important note: Clearly indicate whether you are applying for a Grassroot Grant or a Flagship Grant and include a detailed budget breakdown appropriate to the category.

5. Review & Timeline

• Proposals will be evaluated by the CMIT Scientific Review Board and Financial Committee.
• Selection criteria: scientific excellence, alignment with CMIT themes, interdisciplinarity, innovation, feasibility, and translation potential.
• Shortlisted proposals will be announced (final awards to follow after panel interviews/clarifications) by 15 December 2025.

6. Reporting Requirements

• Progress report every 6 months.
• Final report at project conclusion, including publication and patent/industry metrics.
• Research teams will present outcomes in a workshop, symposium, or conferences.

7. Contact Information

For queries regarding this Call, please contact:
Center for Materials Innovation & Technology (CMIT)
VinUniversity, D2 Building, Vinhomes Ocean Park, Gia Lâm, Hanoi
Email: cmit@vinuni.edu.vn