OVERVIEW 

The overall goal of RISE Research Fund supports research that advances sustainable development through scalable outcomes and external funding, with priorities including health, climate resilience, social equity, and sustainability. It seeks high-impact projects with measurable benefits that enhance VinUni’s contribution to the SDGs, while also building inclusive infrastructure, fostering partnerships with national and international institutions, and strengthening the skills of VinUni researchers and students.

The overall goal of the Center for AI Research (CAIR) Fund is to advance Generative AI (GenAI), Human-Centric Systems, and Biomorphic Intelligence through high-quality, high-impact research that strengthens VinUni’s academic excellence and global visibility.

The Fund supports projects that: 

• Drive fundamental and applied research in GenAI, including large language models, multimodal learning, and domain-specific AI for decision-critical applications. 

• Promote human-centric and trustworthy AI, focusing on fairness, safety, multilingual/low-resource capabilities, and ethical safeguards against misinformation. 

• Advance biomorphic intelligence, inspired by nature, neuroscience, and embodied cognition, for robust and interpretable AI systems integrated with robotics, sensors, and intelligent manufacturing. 

• Translate research outcomes into real-world solutions in key sectors such as aviation, healthcare, digital government, smart mobility, and sustainability. 

CAIR prioritizes proposals that demonstrate strong interdisciplinary collaboration, clear potential for external funding attraction, and measurable contributions toward VinUni’s QS100 strategy. Projects should not only produce cutting-edge academic outputs (publications, intellectual property, prototypes) but also foster talent development by engaging graduate students, postdocs, and industry partners. 

FUNDING AMOUNT

The amount of funding is determined based on the scope and impact of the project’s expected deliverables. 

ELIGIBILITY

The CAIR Research Fund supports all full-time VinUni faculty members and researchers in launching and scaling their research in Generative AI, Human-Centric Systems, and Biomorphic Intelligence. The Fund is administered with structured flexibility, focusing on impactful outcomes and adherence to the following criteria:

Eligibility 

• Research projects must align with CAIR’s focus areas (Generative AI, Human-Centric AI Systems, Biomorphic Intelligence) or demonstrate strong scholarly potential in related domains. 

• The applicant must be designated as Principal Investigator (PI), responsible for leading the proposal and managing the awarded grant. 

• Projects may include co-PIs and collaborators from other VinUni colleges, external universities, or industry partners, provided roles and contributions are clearly defined. 

• Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to participate as part of the research team under faculty supervision. 

• Awards are subject to formal approval by VinUni’s leadership, following the procedures outlined in the Research Management Policies and Procedures. 

Ineligibility 

The following are not supported under the CAIR Research Fund: 

• Projects initiated prior to the faculty’s start date at VinUni. 

• Use of funds as matching or cost-share for external funding. 

• Personal or general operational expenses not directly tied to research activities. 

• Overhead or teaching buy-outs, unless strictly research-related and approved in advance. 

IMPORTANT DATE 

• Call for Proposals: October 1, 2025 

• First Review Cycle: October 15, 2025 

• Rolling Submission: Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis until May 31, 2026. 

• Review & Approval: Proposals will be evaluated in three review cycles per year (tentatively every 3–4 months). 

• Project Start Date: Within 1 month after official approval and grant agreement signing. 

• Project Duration: Depending on category. 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTION 

 Step 1. Download and complete the required templates: 

• Template 1: Narrative Proposal Template (research objectives, background, methodology, timeline, expected outcomes) 

• Template 2: Budget Proposal Template (detailed financial plan, justification of major cost items) 

• Template 3: Research Plan Template (milestones, deliverables, data management plan, risk mitigation) 

Step 2. Prepare the following documents for submission: 

• Completed templates (Narrative Proposal, Budget Proposal, Research Plan). 

• CVs of all project team members, highlighting research experience, publications, and relevant project involvement. 

• Letters of collaboration/commitment (if applicable) from partner institutions or industry collaborators. 

Step 3. Submit the full application package electronically to the Research Management Office (RMO) via the official system or by email to [email protected]  by the application deadline. Late or incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. 

Step 4. Applications will undergo eligibility check, scientific review, financial and ethical review (if required), and final approval by VinUni leadership following VinUni’s Research Management Policies and Procedures. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

FOCUS AREAS 

POST-AWARD MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING 

Project Management   

• Project duration: Project must be completed within the grant allowed-duration. Longer project durations or no-cost extensions of up to 6 months may be granted, subject to review and approval by the Vice Provost for Research & Innovation. Requests must be submitted no later than 3 months prior to the project’s end date. 

• Principal Investigators (PIs): PIs are responsible for ensuring that projects are implemented in full compliance with all VinUni research-related policies, ethical standards, and financial regulations. 

• Expenditures: PIs are responsible for directing project expenditures according to the approved budget and in compliance with VinUni’s financial requirements. 

• Deviation from proposal: Any change in PI, budget, implementation timeline, or scope of research activities must be reported immediately to the Research Management Office (RMO). All modifications require prior written approval from VinUni leadership. 

Publication requirements   

PIs must clearly state their affiliation with Center for AI Research (CAIR), VinUniversity in all publications and dissemination materials resulting from the project. The structured format for affiliation should typically follow: 

Center for AI Research (CAIR), VinUniversity   

Address: Vinhomes Ocean Park, Gia Lam, Hanoi, Vietnam   

Email: [VinUni email address]   

Postal code: 100000  

Reporting  

Progress reports Must be submitted to the RMO and CAIR every 6 months using the official reporting template, covering research activities, risks, challenges, data management, and financial updates/forecasts.    

Final reports: A comprehensive final report is required at project conclusion, detailing expenditures, research outcomes, publications, IP/technology transfer (if applicable), and external funding leveraged. 

Presentations: PIs and their teams may be required to present project progress and final outcomes at CAIR or VinUni research seminars, workshops, or annual symposia. 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS 

VinUni’s Research Policies: https://policy.vinuni.edu.vn/research/ 

VinUni’s financial management guidelines: https://policy.vinuni.edu.vn/financial-management/ 

Compliance: https://policy.vinuni.edu.vn/all-policies/ 

For any questions about the application process or the CAIR Grant Program, please contact: [email protected]