The Chinese government has announced the restructuring of the primary science funding agency in the country, changing the method by which scientists receive R&D funding for the first time in over 30 years. The National Natural Science Foundation, primarily dedicated to promoting research and innovation as well as managing science funding, was originally under the cabinet, and ran as an independent central government agency. Control of operations and management of the Foundation was carried out by scientists and researchers. Last year, the Foundation supported over 120,000 scientific research teams in the nation, investing CNY 30 billion ($4.75 billion). Now, the Foundation will be under the Ministry of Science and Technology, which has a slightly larger budget and spent CNY 37 billion ($5.85 billion) on R&D for advanced technology, such as high-power batteries for electric cars.

The main issue with the change lies in the ultimate difference of ideologies between the two government bodies. The Foundation promotes exploratory research and encourages scientists to study solutions to problems that interest them the most; in contrast, the Ministry promotes R&D for practical and applicable projects, with scientists required to clearly indicate the usage of their research and submit detailed schedules with deadlines for when the project will be completed. By moving the Foundation under the Ministry, some Chinese researchers believe the development of fundamental research may become compromised.

Proponents for the reshuffling posit that the change in management will optimize the information flow between fundamental research and field application. The restructuring may help researchers get more funding for projects sooner, with a chance of finding relevant commercial applications quicker as well.

Source: South China Morning Post