A Quick Overview of Chinese S&T System

A Quick Overview of Chinese S&T System Table of Contents 1. Brief introduction of Chinese S&T system..2 2. Ministries and agencies:..5 2.1. Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) 5 2.1.1. Core programs (863 program; 973 program; National Key Technology R&D program)..5 2.1.2. International cooperation.6 2.2. Ministry of Education (MOE)..7 2.2.1. core programs (project 211; project 985)..7 2.2.2. International cooperation.8 2.3. National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC)..9 2.3.1. funding mechanism..10 2.3.2. international cooperation and funding 10 2.4. Chinese Academy of Science (CAS).11 2.4.1. Programs.11 2.4.2. international cooperation.12 2.5. Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE).12 2.6. Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) 12 2.7. Regional S&T organizations.13 3. Chinese higher education institutions-universities..14 4. Useful links 15 1

1. Brief introduction of Chinese Science & Technology System The rapid economic growth and development of Chinese economy requires a sustainable S&T system. Significant progress has been made towards building up the country s S&T system since the end of last decade. Since 1999, China s spending on research has increased by almost 19% each year. 1 In 2007, it reached 371 billion RMB. 2 Similar to some advanced countries in the world, the government policies play an important role fostering this system. The government sets framework conditions, develops and implements policies, and provides financial support for R&D. Governance of the S&T system, in which the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) plays a prominent role, is organized as follows: The State Council Steering Group for Science, Technology and Education is a top-level coordination mechanism, which meets two to four times a year to deal with strategic issues. A number of ministerial level agencies the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), sectoral line ministries such as the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) play a direct role in designing and implementing S&T and innovation policies. A number of other ministerial agencies, notably the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Commerce have significant influence on S&T and innovation policies and implementation, while others, such as Ministry of Personnel and the State Intellectual Property Office, also exert an important, albeit somewhat indirect, influence. 3 1 OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy CHINA Synthesis Report 2007 2 2007 China Science and Technology Development Report 3 OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy CHINA Synthesis Report 2007 2

Source: OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy China, Synthesis Report 2007 List of abbreviations: S&T : Science and Technology R&D: Research and Development NDRC: National Development and Reform Commission COSTIND: Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense MOC: Ministry of Commerce MOF: Ministry of Finance MOE: Ministry of Education MOP: Ministry of Personnel MOST: Ministry of Science and Technology CAS: Chinese Academy of Sciences 3

CAE: Chinese Academy of Engineering NSFC: National Natural Science Foundation of China SME: small and medium size enterprise Funding mechanism 4 : Funding to S&T is made through a series of instruments of the government. In the state ministries and agencies, core national programs and HR building plans are set up to support the policy objectives: Support for basic research consists of various programs, such as the NSFC programs, the MOST 973 program and various programs designed to develop human resources (Yangtze River Scholars Program, CAS 100 Talents Program, etc.) Support for technology innovation and commercialization includes programs for the development of specific new products, for the construction of infrastructure for techtransfer (MOST Torch and Spark Program), for S&T Achievement Dissemination, etc. Related measures include the Technical Innovation Fund for SME-Tech Firms and provisions for tax incentives, venture capital, etc. Key Technologies: National Key Technology R&D Program 973: National 973 program, for basic research 4 OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy CHINA Synthesis Report 2007 4

863: National 863 program, for applied research 2. Ministries and agencies: 2.1. Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) www.most.gov.cn MOST takes the lead in drawing up S&T development plans and policies, drafting related laws, regulations and department rules, and guaranteeing the implementation. Tasks: To set forth the national strategies, guidelines, policies and regulations of S&T; to determine major priority areas for Chinese S&T development; to boost the construction of National S&T Innovation System. To formulate national S&T programs and the relevant policies and measures; to take charge of the organization and management of these programs. To strengthen the reform on S&T system; to optimize the allocation of S&T resources and human resources; To formulate guidelines and policies on China s international cooperation and exchanges in S&T; to take charge of bilateral and multilateral governmental S&T cooperation programs as well as those programs with relevant international organizations. 2.1.1. Core programs: National High Tech R&D Development Program (National 863 Program) 5 The 863 Program or State High-Tech Development Plan is a program funded and administered by the government of the People's Republic of China, intended to stimulate the development of advanced technologies in a wide range of fields for the purpose of rendering China independent of financial obligations for foreign technologies. The name 863 comes from the fact that the program was created in March 1986 (the third month).⁶ The program aims at promoting the applied research and accelerating high-tech development and is categorized into Priority Projects and Key 5 Data from a report done and published online by S&T Service of French Embassy in China: Les Principales Institutes de Recherche en Chine, March 2006, by Viviane Peng and Lydia Roos. ⁶ Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/863_program 5

Projects. The former covered 19 research fields in 6 high-tech priorities, including IT, biotechnology and advanced agricultural technology, advanced materials technology, advanced manufacturing and automation technology, energy technology as well as resource and environment technology. The Key projects are centered on projects addressing significant high-tech issues in line with demands of important national strategies. Starting from 1986, the program had received totally RMB 5.8 billion for the first 15 years. Its budget in 2004 attains approximately RMB 3.8 billion for 3888 projects. National Basic Research Program of China (National 973 Program) 6 A national key program for the development of basic scientific research, the 973 Program was launched in 1993. It focuses on comprehensive and multi-disciplinary basic research in fields of agriculture, energy, information, resources and environment, population and health and materials. It also involves important cutting-edge basic research and fostering outstanding scientists with creativity. The Program is implemented by MOST, National Science Foundation and other relevant offices. Most of the projects under the Program have international participation in different level. National Key Technologies R&D Program 7 Launched in 1982, National Key Technologies R&D Program is the first national S&T program in China. It works to provide technical support to industrial restructuring, the sustainable development of society, and the enhancement of living standards by achieving breakthroughs in key technologies, introducing technical innovation, and applying high and new technologies. The priority areas are agriculture, information technology, environmental protection, medicine and public welfare technologies. 2.1.2. International cooperation: International cooperation is organized by Department of International Cooperation of MOST. Its responsibilities include formulating policies, organizing bilateral and multilateral S&T cooperation, guiding relevant governmental agencies and localities to implement the International S&T Cooperation Program, etc. Program for Key International S&T Cooperation Projects is the most 7. Update: The program started by containing seven key technological fields biotechnology, space, IT, laser technology, automation, energy, and new materials. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/863_program ) 8 www.973.gov.cn 9 www.most.gov.cn 6

important international program launched by MOST in 2001. Funding focuses on the bilateral and multilateral S&T cooperation projects between China and foreign countries or international organizations and projects that requires international cooperation listed in the national high-tech research plans and national basic research plans. the Swiss State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) and MOST signed MoU in 2003 to establish The Sino-Swiss Science and Technology Cooperation (SSSTC) program. The coordination in China is operated by swissnex Shanghai. For further information, please refer to: www.swissnexshanghai.org and www.global.ethz.ch/stc/china 2.2. Ministry of Education (MOE) www.moe.edu.cn The MOE is the primary ministry responsible for China s educational undertakings and Chinese language-related works. Within its central ministries and agencies, 73 udergraduate institutions are directly under the jurisdiction of the MOE, 33 under other central agencies. Whereas within local ahtorities, 543 are under the MOE and 71 are run by non-educational departments. Tasks to draw up principles, policies and plans of education reform and development; to draft education-related regulations and supervise the implementation. to oversee the development and reform of higher education; to implement and coordinate 211 project and 985 project; to guide the assessment on higher education. To plan and guide the research in natural sciences and social sciences conducted by HEIs; to coordinate and guide HEIs to participate in the national innovation system and core national research projects; to guide the development and construction of university innovation platform and informationalization and knowledge transfer of HEIs. To organize and guide the international exchange and cooperation of HEIs. 2.2.1. Core programs: Project 211 7

Project 211 is an endeavor launched by Chinese government in 1993 to build about 100 higher education institutions and key disciplines as a national priority starting from Nine-Five Period (1996-2000). It aims to greatly enhance the teaching quality, level of scientific research and administrative efficiency of HEIs. Some key universities and key disciplines are expected to compete internationally with world-class universities. Project 211 is implemented in three major aspects: the overall institutional capacity, key disciplinary areas, and public service system of higher education. The funding of Project 211 comes from central government, ministries, local government and HEIs. During the Nine-Five Period, the total funding is 18.3 billion RMB, among which 6.4 billion RMB is for building 602 key disciplines in Project 211 institutions. For a full list of the 211 universities, please refer to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/project_211 Project 985 In the Plan to Revitalize Education for the 21 Century issued by MOE in 1998, it was mentioned that a small number of universities would be funded intensively in the following three years to become first-class university in the world. The whole budget will be above 30 billion RMB. Peking University and Tsinghua University got 1.8 billion RMB each at the first stage, 37 universities then followed and were funded by both MOE and local government. The funding they obtained ranges from RMB 70 million to RMB 1.2 billion annually. The 39 universities can be regarded as top universities in China. For a list of 985 universities and their detailed information, please go to swissnex database. 2.2.2. International Cooperation: Similar to MOST, there is also Department for International Cooperation in MOE, which formulates policies and national level activities of international cooperation. Affiliated to MOE, Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC, www.csc.edu.cn) is the agency to fund the exchange of students and scholars in accordance with the educational exchange agreements and understandings reached between Chinese government and governments of other countries. CSC is financed mainly by the state special appropriations for scholarship programs. It also accepts donations from individuals, enterprises, social organizations and other organizations in China and abroad. Foreign students and scholars with an interest to study and research in China can apply to Chinese Government Scholarships. Chinese students and scholars can apply to the various national scholarships, joint research funding schemes or enterprise scholarships. 8

In 2007, Chinese government launched Graduate Scholarship for Building High-Level Chinese Universities. It is implemented by CSC and aims to send 5000 graduate students to renowned universities abroad annually till 2011. The scheme is widely welcomed and quickly responded by universities abroad. 2.3. National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC) www.nsfc.gov.cn Founded in 1986, National Natural Science Foundation is a funding agency under the State Council for the management of the National Natural Science Fund which mainly supports basic research in universities and research institutes. The fund is allocated by the Central Government. The annual budget has been increasing from 80 million RMB in 1986 to 4.33billion RMB in 2007 at an average annual growth of over 20%. The NSFC has a rigorous evaluation system. The applicants proposals are firstly reviewed by correspondence. For this stage, NSFC has a panel of over 53 000 corresponding peer reviewers, all of whom are scholars in different Chinese universities and research institutions. The pre-selected proposals need to be examined by a commission composed by 753 experts of high standard before being approved by the NSFC session meeting. The experts are mandated for a term of 2 years. Tasks In accordance with the Government's guiding principles, policies and plans for the national development of science and technology, NSFC directs, coordinates and financially supports basic research and applied basic research, identifies and fosters scientific talents and promotes science and technology. NSFC complies and distributes the Guide to Programs for basic and applied basic research, receives research proposals from universities and/or institutions all over the country, prepares peer reviews and sessions of evaluation panels, and selects the proposals of higher caliber to grant; NSFC provides, at request, advisory services on major issues related to the national strategic development of basic and applied basic research in China; NSFC supports activities of national professional science foundations, and provides them with its coordination and guidance in their plans and decisions of research programs; 9

NSFC develops cooperative relations with science foundations and relevant scientific organizations in other countries and regions, and conducts active international scientific cooperation and exchange. 2.3.1. Funding mechanism: In 2007, NSFC got a total allocation of over 4.33 billion RMB from the Central Government. The grants are given to research programs and programs for building on man power: General Program -- Open to all disciplines of natural sciences, General Program constitutes the main part of the NSFC. The funding for this program exceeds 60% of the NSFC s total budget. Each project is usually financed for 3 years. In 2005, 9,089 of 49,326 applications for General Program were approved. The grant for each project averaged 247,800RMB. Key Program -- supports the in-depth and creative research projects in the areas that China has good research basis. The duration for each project is 4 years. Among 1330 applications for Key Program in 2005, 290 were funded and the average funding was RMB 1.59 million per project. Major Research Plan -- was launched in 2000, with emphasis on interdisciplinary subjects. Since then, 12 projects were financed over six to eight years. With the focus on the overall objective, the Major Research Plans have emphasis on interdisciplinary. Talents Funds Talents Funds includes the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (with foreign citizenship), Joint Research Fund for Overseas Chinese Young Scholars, Joint Research Fund for Hong Kong and Macao Young Scholars and Fund for Creative Research Groups. The objective of the first four funds is to encourage and attract overseas young Chinese scholars (under 45 years old) to return and carry out research in China. The Science Fund for Creative Research Groups finances the research groups led by outstanding Chinese scientists in specific basic research fields with great innovative potential. 2.3.2. International Cooperation NSFC has signed cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding with 60 science funding organizations and national research institutions in 35 countries and regions and raised its budget for international cooperation and exchange from 3 million RMB in 1987 to 14.4 million RMB in 2008. It has gradually formed a rather complete funding scenario which includes four project categories and three special funds: joint research projects, international (regional) academic 10

conferences held abroad, international academic conferences held in China, major joint research projects, fund for Chinese scholars abroad returning for short-period of work or lecture, joint fund between NSFC and the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong and fund for international cooperation and exchange of State key laboratories. 2.4. Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) www.cas.cn CAS was founded in 1949. It is a leading academic institution and comprehensive research and development center in natural science, technological science and hi-tech innovation in China. It operates over a hundred research institutes nation-wide and has over 500 private S&T spin-off enterprises. Headquartered in Beijing, CAS established 11 branches in the cities of Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xi an, Kunming, Lanzhou, Xinjiang, Shenyang, Changchun which coordinate CAS s institutes in the area. CAS found the Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1978. However, the school has no campus, for the students carry out their studies and research in the different CAS institutes which are authorized to deliver diplomats. University of S&T of China (in Hefei, Anhui), one of the top Chinese universities, is also under the jurisdiction of CAS. Academician of CAS is a life-long honor. In 2009, there were 1 104 academicians and 57 foreign members, divided into 6 academic divisions (Mathematics and Physics, Chemistry, Life Science and Medicine, Earth Science, Information Technology, Technological Science), forming China s highest advisory body on S&T development. The operation of CAS is financed by national budget. The research is funded from NSFC, MOST and other national agencies based on projects. Funding also comes from industries, local government by contract and international cooperation programs. 2.4.1. Programs: NSFC basic and applied basic research programs 863 Program 973 Program Priority projects from international cooperation 11

CAS Knowledge Innovation Program: Knowledge Innovation Program (KIP) is an important component of the National Innovation System. In 1998, CAS was authorized to launch the Pilot Project of National Innovation Program (1998-2010). One of the most important parts of the Pilot Project of KIP was structural reorganization of the research system within CAS. 123 CAS research institutions had been re-organized into 87 research entities each with status of legal person during 1998-2005. Human resource base has been also revitalized by recruiting senior scientists and talented young scientists and researchers abroad as well as in China. KIP has also provided financial support to the institutes. 70% of KIP funding directly goes to institutes while CAS headquarter handles 30%. 8 2.4.2. International cooperation: CAS has established cooperation with more than 60 research institutes, universities, international organizations and companies in the world in the form of bilateral scientific agreements, high-level bilateral workshops, project-based scientist group, joint center or laboratories and partnership with industries. CAS is the 2.5. Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) www.cae.cn Founded in 1994, CAE is a national and independent organization composed of elected members with the highest honor in the community of engineering and technological sciences of the nation. It consists of 8 academic divisions, which includes Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering; Information and Electronic Engineering; Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering; Energy and Mining Engineering; Civil, Hydraulic and Architecture Engineering; Light and Textile Industries Engineering; Medical and Health; Engineering Management. Unlike CAS, CAE does not have its own research institutes. As China s premier advisory institute of engineering, it has 746 academicians and 33 foreign members (January 2009) to provide advice and guidelines on China s engineering development. Membership of CAE is a life-long honor and it must be elected by existing members. 8 Knowledge Innovation and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, by Richard P. Suttmeier, Cong Cao, Denis Fred Simon, published in Science 7 April 2006, Vol. 312 no. 5770, pp. 58-59, http: www. sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/312/57770/58?rss=1 12

2.6. Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) www.cass.net.cn The CASS is the primary academic research organization for social sciences and philosophy in China. 31 research institutes and more than 50 research centers under the CASS s administration undertake a number of national social sciences research programs. CASS has about 3,767 on-thejob staff members, among which 1, 535 members have senior professional titles. CASS conducts basic theoretical research, characterized by multi-disciplinary and comprehensive studies with emphasis on a macroscopic, strategic and foresighted nature. CASS undertakes a number of research projects sponsored by the National Social Sciences Fund in accordance with the government s Five-Year Plans for social sciences. CASS also defines a certain number of key projects at academy-level and institute-level. Meanwhile, CASS conducts research projects entrusted by various government departments and agencies. 2.7. Regional S&T Organizations: At regional level, there are S&T provincial bureau or S&T commission (only for the four municipalities directly under the central government: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing), and the sub-provincial (or sub-municipal) offices. The regional S&T organizations enjoy great autonomy. They participate in the implementation of national programs and make an important contribution, nearly 40%, to total government appropriation for S&T. 9 2.8 Chinese Association for Science and Technology (CAST) http://english.cast.org.cn 9 OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy CHINA Synthesis Report 2007 13

The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) is the largest national non-governmental organization of scientific and technological workers in China. Through its member societies - nearly 200 in number - and local branches all over the country, the organization maintains close ties with millions of Chinese scientists, engineers and other people working in the fields of science and technology. The highest leading organ of CAST is the National Congress that meets every five years and the National Committee elected by it. The major tasks of CAST are: i) to promote the advancement of science by means of scientific exchanges; ii) to popularize scientific knowledge among the general public; iii) to safeguard the legitimate rights of scientists and engineers and organize them to participate in the political life of the state; iv) to award scientists and engineers with outstanding contributions; v) to provide consultancy to decision-makers and other services to the government and industry on science and technology-related problems. CAST maintains cooperative relations with scientific and technological organizations of many countries and, as the representative of Chinese science and technology community, are members of many international scientific and technological organizations. In 2004, CAST was granted consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. 3. Chinese higher education institutions-universities According to official published statistics, up till 2011, there are 2,305 regular higher education institutions in China, which can be categorized to: comprehensive universities (Human and Natural Sciences, Social Sciences), technical universities, specialized institutions (Medicine, Agriculture, Foreign Languages, etc.) and teacher-training colleges. There are around 11.8 million undergraduate students on campus, and 1.4 million postgraduates. The university education comprises 4-year undergraduate program, leading to Bachelor degree, 2 or 3 years Master program, and minimum 3 year Doctoral program. Currently there are 73 universities are under central ministries & agencies, and directly under jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, and around 24 other universities are under local authorities, hence are run by non-educational departments. However, these institutes which the 14

central government are in charge of are also partly funded by the provinces, while local universities are solely funded by local government. In 2007, there are 997 private universities in China. In terms of quantity or quality, they are still in a marginal position. 10 An example of the financing of Chinese University: Fudan University Financial Review 2005 (RMB million) Allocation from MOE 408 Allocation from Shanghai Municipality 193 Research funds & industrial spin-off return 438 Educational undertaking income 626 Donation 93 Other sources 77 Total 1,835 11 4. Useful links: For more information in English on Chinese science and technology, research or higher education, please refer to the links below: China International Science and Technology Cooperation, MOST http://www.cistc.gov.cn/englishversion/ Ministry of Environmental Protection http://english.mep.gov.cn/ National Development and Reform Commission http://en.ndrc.gov.cn/ State Intellectual Property Office http://www.sipo.gov.cn/sipo_english/ State Key Laboratories of China http://www.chinalab.gov.cn/labsite/site/index.aspx Study in China: 10 www.moe.edu.cn 11 Fudan university introduction brochure 15

http://www.admissions.cn/ State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs http://www.safea.gov.cn/english/ Academic Ranking of World Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University http://www.arwu.org/ranking.htm Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development http://www.oecd.org 16