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Tencent launches US$1.5 billion fund to give Chinese scientists freedom to reach new heights of innovation
- New Cornerstone Investigator programme to give scientists up to 5 million yuan a year to do whatever they like
- Most scientists engaged in basic research in China must obtain funding through competitive projects, considered a bottleneck that currently limits creativity
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Internet giant Tencent has launched a 10 billion-yuan (US$1.5 billion) fund to give Chinese researchers new freedom to explore science, unhindered by conditions or targets.
Most scientific activities in China must meet a clear goal or deadline, especially when their funding comes from the government.
The New Cornerstone Investigator programme launched by Tencent last week will give each recipient up to 5 million yuan a year to do whatever he or she likes.
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There is no obligation on the scientists who receive the funds, except to write a two-page report by the end of the year to brief a committee on what they did. And even then, if they do not want to write a report, that is fine as well.
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The programme has triggered a lot of interest in China’s research community.
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