Change in categories and criteria seen as way to improve young researchers' chances for honors

Award recipients occupy the front row as China holds its annual ceremony to honor scientists for their outstanding contribution to scientific and technological innovation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. Wang Ye/Xinhua

China's industrial upgrades have placed new demands on science and technology. And so it's no surprise that the assessment of achievements in those fields would change.

In 2013, the State science and technology awards, the highest honors in those fields, underwent a number of changes.

First, the National Office for Science and Technology Awards reduced the number of awards granted to scientists, Chen Zhimin, deputy director of the office, told China Daily.

Awards for State Natural Sciences, State Technology Invention and State Science and Technology Progress were reduced by 61.

The invention and progress awards focus on research breakthroughs, technological advancement and direct economic benefits.

A key category saw awards slashed from 283 in 2011 to 188 in 2013. While this category, the State Science and Technology Progress Award, saw a reduction awards rose in other categories: the State Natural Sciences Award and State Technology Invention Award.

"The quantity and proportion adjustment is to encourage more independent innovation and significant inventions," Chen said.

The awards also target the work and achievements of younger scientists.

"This year we opened new recommendation channels for scientists under the age of 40," Chen said.

In previous appraisals, Natural Sciences Award candidates needed recommendations from at least three members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the project had to be completed by the candidate alone.

But this year, the criteria were softened for scientists under the age of 40: the project can be carried out by a team, and only one academic's recommendation and two other peer recommendations are needed.

Shi Zhangjie, a professor of the College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering at Peking University and the first scientist to win the award under the new system, welcomed the changes.

"For a younger researcher like me, resources are not comparable to those for senior researchers, so this new appraisal rule is a great encouragement," Shi said.

The average age of Shi's research team is 34.

"I am really excited by winning the award, and I believe this appraisal rule will inspire more young researchers," Shi said.

The award office also wants to encourage innovation by enterprises.

The vast majority of awards for State Science and Technology Progress in civilian technology — 75.9 percent — were granted to projects that had seen enterprise involvement.

"We also introduced more experts from the business sector to take part in the appraisals. In the preliminary assessment, 30 percent of the experts came from the business sector, which will help increase accuracy in evaluating achievements by enterprises," Chen said.

Chen also said that the principle investors in research and development were maily large State-owned enterprises.

More than 46 percent of first prizes in the State Science and Technology Progress Awards saw the involvement of State-owned enterprises.