The National Major Scientific Research Instrument Special Project Funded 570 Million in 2011

Breakthrough Leading Original Innovation with "Tools"

——Interview with Chen Yiyu, Director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, 9 projects including the “New Generation Ultra-short Ultraviolet Laser Comprehensive Experimental Device” and “Photoelectric Fusion Super-resolution Biological Microscopic Imaging System” with total funding exceeding 570 million yuan will be completed in 2012. Officially launched. The country's major scientific research equipment and equipment development special projects have thrown a heavy order since its establishment.

According to Chen Yiyu, director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the importance of this special project lies not only in the large volume of funding it funds.

Looking forward to independent instruments to open up scientific territory

“The major breakthroughs in modern science and technology are increasingly relying on the advancement of scientific research instruments, especially the innovative development of new scientific research instruments based on new principles.” Chen Yiyu pointed out, “It can be said that the progress of scientific instruments represents the direction of scientific frontiers, scientific instruments The innovation is not only an integral part of technological innovation, but also an important support for promoting technological innovation."

Chen Yiyu said: "Actually, the experimental scientific research that is truly expected to be world-leading must rely on advanced scientific research equipment with its own characteristics, and in particular requires independent research and development instruments that are applied to many new principles, new methods and new technologies."

However, such instruments do not have ready-made products to buy. Even if they are similar, they need to be bought back before upgrading and system integration. Obviously, if we do not attach importance to the R&D of the instrument, we will easily lose the key game on the experimental means.

At present, China’s scientific development has entered a critical period from quantitative change to qualitative change. “The research and development level of scientific research instruments and equipment has become an important link that restricts the international status of China’s basic research. In the face of international competition, we cannot hope to open up Xinjiang with instruments developed by others. earth". Chen Yiyu strongly hopes for this.

"Big" volume of major instrument special items

It is because of the importance of scientific research instruments that the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Development Fund Committee, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other departments have previously had special funds to fund new scientific research instruments. However, there is still a large gap between original instrument funding for scientific research and demand.

In addition, the development of original scientific research instruments is based on cutting-edge scientists as the main body, and information technology and other cross-sections can be successful high-level scientific research activities that require strong experience in science, technology, engineering, and management. Chen Yiyu believes that our country is There is still a lack of such a high-level team.

The two major bottlenecks in funding and technology have led to the fact that original instruments in our country are still scarce items.

The research and development of major scientific research equipment came into being. Chen Yiyu pointed out: “It is important to note that not all scientific research instruments that have major breakthroughs in science are funded by large-scale funding. A large number of breakthroughs are often made with small scale of funding, but the original innovative ideas are prominent, and some principles seem simple. There are numerous examples of original research instruments that have opened up large areas of research."

Chen Yiyu emphasized that we cannot blindly pursue the "majority" of the country's major projects for the development of scientific research equipment and equipment, but emphasize the "significance" of its scientific significance and scientific goals.

Tailor-made total management system

In 2012, the major instrument specialties were applied for the department's quota recommendation proposal and the free application model. Among them, the free application project funding plan is 200 million yuan, the individual funding intensity does not exceed 10 million yuan/item; the project recommendation department is the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Education, and the National Defense Industry and Technology Bureau. The implementation plan also specifically requires the strict control of project applications with a funding limit of over 100 million yuan.

Chen Yiyu pointed out that the development of original scientific research instruments has a strong exploratory nature and high risks. It is necessary to encourage scientists to use the spirit of courageous exploration to promote innovative research and development of scientific research instruments. At the same time, there must be a policy environment of tolerance for failure.

However, allowing failure does not mean relaxing management. The fund committee created a set of strict selection and evaluation system for this special project, in addition to examining the important role of the project in promoting scientific development, the researcher's own accumulation and team status, and examining the development of equipment and national major scientific research. The relationship between demand and the innovative nature of the design proposal, such as the principle of innovation, unique design ideas and so on.

In addition, the substantive content of the project should be screened, the core content of the project proposal should be strictly examined, packaging, plattering, and duplicate project approval should be avoided to avoid wearing cap-type packaging items and to ensure the rationality of the budget.

“We do not require the scientific research instrument finally developed to be a model or a series of products. We hope that scientists will obtain original scientific breakthroughs with original tools and scientific breakthroughs with scientific goals. Chen Yiyu said.