Li Keqiang presides over the National Standing Committee meeting: deploys further reform and improvement of the management of central financial research funds
On July 28th, Premier Li Keqiang presided over a State Council executive meeting to deploy further reforms and improvements in the management of central financial research funds, and to give researchers greater autonomy in fund management.
The meeting pointed out that in accordance with the deployment of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, we must deeply implement the new development concept, adhere to the core position of innovation in the overall modernization construction of China, address the prominent concerns of scientific researchers, vigorously eliminate funding management regulations that do not conform to scientific research laws, and better motivate scientific researchers to devote themselves to research. The meeting determined measures to further reform and improve the management of central financial research funds. One is to simplify budget preparation by reducing the number of budget subjects from 9 or more to 3. Delegate all budget adjustment rights such as equipment costs to the project undertaking unit. Implement a lump sum funding system for basic research and talent projects. The second is to increase incentives for scientific researchers and raise the proportion of indirect costs in scientific research projects, with more than 50% of research project funds allocated to "personnel". For pure theoretical research projects such as mathematics, the proportion of indirect costs can be increased to 60%. Research institutions can use all indirect expenses for performance expenditures. Expand the scope of labor service expenses, and include social security subsidies and housing provident fund for project employees paid by units in the list of labor service expenses. The cash rewards for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements are not limited by the total performance-based salary of the unit where they are located, and are not used as the basis for determining the performance-based salary for the next year. The third is to accelerate the progress of project funding disbursement. Within 30 days after the project task book is signed, the funds should be disbursed to the responsible unit. After the project is completed, the surplus funds will be retained by the responsible unit for direct scientific research expenses. The international cooperation and exchange expenses allocated from scientific research funds are not included in the scope of the "three public" funds. The fourth is to innovate the way financial research funding is supported. According to the national priorities and scope, leading scientists independently determine research topics, research teams, and funding usage. Support the implementation of a "budget+negative list" management model for new research and development institutions. Unless otherwise specified, the scientific and technological achievements and intellectual property rights generated by financial support shall be obtained by the new research and development institutions in accordance with the law, and they shall independently decide to transform and promote their application. Fifth, research projects are equipped with research finance assistants from relevant parties to provide specialized services such as budget preparation and reimbursement, reducing the administrative burden on researchers. The related labor costs can be resolved through channels such as project funding. Sixth, improve the supervision of research funding. Strengthen in-process and post event supervision, and carry out audit supervision in accordance with laws and regulations. The meeting requires all relevant parties to vigorously implement the above measures and strengthen supervision by the State Council.
The meeting also discussed other matters.
Information source: China Government website
