1. Introduction
The Vietnam Development Forum (VDF),
a joint project between GRIPS and NEU, accepts research proposals
from NEU and other researchers. We will provide support to qualified
research activities in the forms of funding, access to VDF services
and facilities, assistance in dissemination and networking, and
publication privilege. These supports are subject to review and
availability as explained below. Researchers under our support are
given the status of Research Fellow while the support lasts.
The purpose of VDF research
competition is to provide young and talented Vietnamese researchers
with an efficient and flexible research environment. We hope that
VDF can help you to produce research with high quality and strong
policy impact.
2. Research areas
Any area related to Vietnam's
socio-economic development is acceptable. However, we require that
the topic is (i) relevant to Vietnam's actual policy making (not
pure theory); and (ii) sharply and analytically defined (not
journalistic or too broad).
Examples of poorly defined topics:
"Agriculture of Vietnam" "Globalization and Trade
Policy" "History of Doi Moi Reform" (these are all
too general)
Examples of acceptable topics:
"Alternative Production Models in Motorbike Assembly"
"Land Inflation: Causes and Impact on Income
Distribution"
3. Scope and methodology
Any established academic methodology
is acceptable including mathematical modeling, analytical discourse,
data analysis (incl. econometrics and time-series analysis), policy
study, field survey, international comparison, etc.
We appreciate quality, not volume. We
do not prefer long papers exceeding 50 pages. The standard length
should be 20-30 pages. Writing should be excellent and conform to
conventional academic style.
We do not encourage studies which
conduct questionnaires and interviews only. Questionnaires and
interviews can be part of the study, but there should be a main
analytical argument which is supported by such questionnaires and
interviews. On the other hand, research without questionnaires and
interviews is not only permitted but also highly welcomed.
Existing studies and reports (in
Vietnam and abroad) should be reviewed as the starting point of your
study. Show how your approach is different or new.
General overview of the issue should
be kept to minimum or entirely omitted. The study should be
addressed to experts and policy makers, not general readers. Do not
discuss things that professionals already know.
Policy proposals may or may not be
included. If included, they should be directly derived from the
analysis of the paper and as detailed and concrete as possible.
4. Language
In principle, the research output must be in
English. The workshops associated with your research should also be
conducted in English. However, this does not preclude translating
the output into Vietnamese or any other language for wider dissemination.Drafts
may be written in Vietnamese, to be translated into English, if this
is convenient.
5. Duration
Duration of a research project should
be between two months and one year. The researcher may propose the
duration of the proposed study.
You may combine VDF research with
other research (such as PhD dissertation, government-commissioned
studies, etc) provided that you let us know in advance. You may
complete the study started elsewhere, or start a new study which
will continue in the future. Even in the latter case, an interim
report (discussion paper) should be produced.
6. Originality of output
The research output must be original
and new. If there is a related study by the author(s) which has
already been undertaken, the paper submitted to VDF must be substantially
different from it. The meaning of substantially different
shall follow the conventional academic practice. The new output must
add some important theoretical or empirical elements. It cannot be
just updates of facts or numbers. The text must also be
significantly different.
Existing information, including
surveys and models from past research, may be used. In that case,
the original source (whether that of the author or others) should be
clearly noted.
7. Workshops and publication
Please work closely with us while you
are a VDF research fellow. Interim results (including any
difficulties and delays encountered) should be reported to and
discussed with VDF. Visit or contact our office often. Always let us
know your research progress. While you will be the author of your
output, we would like to be your partner and produce the study
together. Just submitting the paper at the end without prior
consultation is not acceptable.
You are required to make at least
one, and preferably two, presentations at VDF. We normally expect
either an
interim report or a final presentation.
We expect every VDF-supported
research to produce high quality output which can be published as a
VDF discussion paper in hardcopy and in our web (subject to review).
We may also propose to publicize or present it in other forms and
occasions. VDF has the right to offer whether and how the output
might be published. On the other hand, the author has the right to
accept or decline such offers.
When we publish your study as a VDF
product (including a discussion paper), VDF will retain the
copyright. However, you may use the output freely for other purposes
(such as journal papers, dissertation, official reports, etc.) as
long as you acknowledge the VDF support. Active dissemination of
your output is strongly encouraged.
8. Financial support
The researcher who conducts the
research shall sign a research contract with VDF at the outset. If
more than one researcher are involved, the designated leader shall
sign it. The research contract shall specify (i) research title;
(ii) researcher(s); (iii) scope and methodology; (iv) expected
output; (v) duration and schedule; (vi) financial support; and any
other points which are considered necessary by VDF.
Financial support is provided as a
fixed sum. Researchers are free to use it in any way which supports
the research (including the compensation for his/her time and
energy). VDF support is for the quality of output and not for the
quantity of inputs (number of hours worked, pages, trips, interviews, data
collected, etc).
The amount of financial support is
decided by VDF after considering the scope of research, skills of
researcher(s), and needed expenditure (if any). The maximum funding
for VDF-supported research is $1,500 per project. We may provide
less. If the amount is not enough to conduct a full study, please
consult us in advance.
You are free to form a research team
consisting of more than one person, but the amount of VDF funding
will not be increased for that.
Only Vietnamese nationals are
eligible for financial support. However, you may work with a
foreigner as long as you are the designated leader and take the main
responsibility for the research.
9. Disbursement
In principle, payments are made in
two installments. The first payment is made when the research
contract is signed. The second (final) payment is made at the end of
the research period after satisfactory output is submitted. However,
if a certain amount of expenditure is required to conduct the
research (for travel, data collection, etc), the researcher may
apply for an additional advance payment with an itemized list of
proposed expenditure. Other special arrangement may be made on a
case-by-case basis.
Payments are made directly to the
researcher (the designated leader in case there are more than one
researcher) in cash or through bank transfer. A receipt is required
by the researcher. Itemized receipts are not required except for an
advance payment as specified above.
The researcher (or the research team)
who signs the research contract shall conduct the analytical work
and draft the paper. The main part of the research should not be
subcontracted to another person, group or company. However,
preliminary or routine works (such as collecting and processing
data) may be outsourced if that is noted in the research contract.
If the researcher is judged by VDF to
be not abiding by the research contract or the conditions of this
document, or not capable of carrying out the research of required
quality, VDF may terminate the financial and other support at any
time.
10. Application and selection
Those applying for the status of VDF
Research Fellow and VDF financial support should submit the
following to VDF directly or by email.
- Cover letter (email text)
- CV
- Research proposal. This
should be several pages long and contain: research title,
author(s), purpose, hypothesis (if any), methodology, proposed
contents (of a paper), time schedule, and cost estimate
(including direct expenditures, outsourced services, and
compensation for writing the paper). The research proposal is a
crucial input in the selection process. Please explain your
study analytically and in detail. Show how it is related to
existing studies and how it is innovative. Present a hypothesis
if you have one. Attach a diagram or table if necessary.
- Your existing paper in the related
field (optional).
We will review your proposal carefully
and conduct further inquiries for qualified proposals if necessary. As
soon as the decision is made, whether affirmative or negative,
applicants will be promptly notified.
Revised October 13, 2005
Prof. Kenichi Ohno (VDF &
GRIPS)
Dr. Pham Hong Chuong (VDF & NEU)
Send application to:
hellovdf@vdf.org.vn
Phone: 04-9362633
GRIPS-NEU Joint Research Project (VDF)
Unit 401, 44B Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi (next to Melia Hotel)
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