News & Activities

COSTI-90 The Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is pleased to host the 90th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-90) and Related Meetings from 13 to 15 October 2026 at the Furama Resort Danang, Da Nang, Viet Nam. MEETING VENUEFurama Resort Danang 105 Vo Nguyen Giap, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang, Viet Nam Tel.: +84-236-3847 333 / +84-236-3847 888 | Fax: +84-236-3847 666 Website: www.furamavietnam.comENTRY AND 7 VISA REQUIREMENTSDelegates are advised to verify the entry requirements applicable to their nationality before travelling. Nationals of a number of countries, including most ASEAN Member States, are exempt from visa requirements for short stays in Viet Nam. Visa exemption: please refer to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam at lanhsuvietnam.gov.vn. Electronic visa: applications may be submitted through the National Portal on Immigration at evisa.gov.vn. The e-visa process is available to citizens of eligible countries; payment and issuance are completed entirely online and normally take three working days. Delegates requiring a visa support letter from the Ministry of Science and Technology are requested to indicate this in the registration form and to provide their passport details by 20 September 2026. Requests received after that date may not allow sufficient processing time. Passports should be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the date of entry into Viet Nam.

ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (ASTIF)https://astnet.asean.org/astif/The ASEAN Science, Technology, and Innovation Fund (also known as ASEAN Science Fund, or ASTIF) was established for the purpose of providing seed financing for the various programmes, projects and activities under ASEAN science and technology cooperation, as identified and approved by the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation.The ASTIF is mainly built up from contributions by the member countries of ASEAN. However, contributions from third parties are welcome. For example, New Zealand, a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, has made a contribution to the ASTIF.Management and utilization of the ASTIF is the responsibility of COSTI. An Advisory Body on the ASEAN Science Fund (ABASF) assists COSTI in establishing the guidelines and procedures for utilization of the Fund, and reviewing project proposals requesting support from the Fund.ASTIF Call 2026 Now Open“ASEAN Grand Challenge: AI-Enabled Competitive and Resilient Region”The ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) invites the STI research community across ASEAN Member States to submit project proposals for funding under the ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (ASTIF) Call 2026. Proposals must address one of four priority categories:(1) AI for Health, Bioeconomy and Food Security(2) AI for Space, Earth, Ocean and Climate Intelligence(3) AI for Advanced Materials and Energy Transition(4) AI for MSME Productivity and Workforce Development.Key Dates:Proposal submission window: 1 August – 16 October 2026Announcement of selected projects: 15 February 2027 (via astnet.asean.org/astif/)How to apply:Proposals must be prepared using the Standard ASTIF Call 2026 Proposal Template and submitted through the National COSTI Focal Point of the ASEAN Member State serving as the project lead. Full eligibility criteria, funding tracks, eligible expenditures, and evaluation criteria are set out in the Call Guideline.Download the Call documents:📄 ASTIF Call 2026 — Call Announcement (link to PDF)📄 ASTIF Call 2026 — Project Proposal Template (link to DOCX)📄 ASTIF Call 2026 — Flyer (link to PDF)For enquiries, please contact the National COSTI Focal Point of your country, using the email subject line “[ASTIF Call 2026]”.

THE 88th MEETING OF THE ASEAN COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION (COSTI-88) Between 19–24 October 2025 at Jubilee Prestige Hotel Ratchadapisek, Bangkok, the meeting aims to serve as a platform for discussion and exchange of cooperation policies under the framework of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (ASEAN COSTI).The objectives include reporting on the progress and status of projects/activities of each ASEAN Member State and exchanging policies and best practices in science, technology, and innovation among senior officials from ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, Timor-Leste, and dialogue partner countries.