The New Cornerstone Investigator program has revealed its second batch of funded researchers in Beijing. The program, led by scientists, funded by internet giant Tencent and operated independently by the New Cornerstone Science Foundation, is dedicated to fostering innovation and addressing critical scientific challenges. Dai Kaiyi has more.
A total of 46 scientists from 13 Chinese cities have been chosen by the New Cornerstone Investigator program for its second round of funding. The program is expected to support these scientists to take the leap from 'zero to one,' embarking on journeys to explore uncharted territories of human knowledge.
The selected scientists focus on a wide range of research areas, from quantum-enhanced optical telescopes to perennial rice, all aimed at addressing critical scientific questions.
CHEN JUHONG Vice President of Tencent "In the next 10 to 20 years, China is moving from quantity to quality in its tech development. The 'New Cornerstone Researchers' program focuses on original innovation and aims to make the most of private funding's flexibility, supplementing government support for fundamental research."
Under the guidance of the China Association for Science and Technology, the 'New Cornerstone Investigator program is led by scientists and operated independently by the New Cornerstone Science Foundation, which was established by Shenzhen-based internet company Tencent in 2022.
According to the Foundation, the program doesn't impose specific research tasks or progress assessments on its researchers. Instead, it offers long-term, stable support to enable these scientists to pursue challenging and innovative work.
SHI YIGONG Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of West Lake University "The selection of people rather than projects gives our scientists the freedom for scientific exploration. They can unleash all their talents and boldly push the limits of human knowledge. These are the fundamental characteristics."
The program is divided into two major fields: "mathematics and physical sciences", and "biological and biomedical sciences", supporting scientists working full-time in the Chinese mainland, as well as in Hong Kong and Macao. Over the next decade, it is expected to support between 200 to 300 exceptional scientists.
PAN JIANWEI Executive vice-president of the University of Science and Technology of China "Basic science research is full of unknown factors, requiring substantial funding. It's about high-intensity, long-term support for exceptional scientists to engage in uncertain but critically important, original projects with the potential for major breakthroughs."
Tencent announced last year that it would invest 10 billion yuan, or 1.36 billion US dollars, over the next decade to support select scientists with the potential to make breakthroughs in basic research.
DAI KAIYI Beijing "As a project that supports basic scientific research with society funding, the 'New Cornerstone Investigator Program' announced its first round of funding recipients in January of this year. Now, just ten months later, the release of the second batch of awardees is set to spark even more innovation in the development of science in China. Dai Kaiyi, CGTN, Beijing."
