The two winners of the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award will now each be taking home 8 million RMB in prize money, following a recent announcement of revised Regulations on State Science and Technology Awards by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).

According to the newly revised policy, the state science and technology awards will be evaluated biennially. The total number of projects receiving the State Natural Science Award, the State Technological Invention Award, and the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award on each occasion will not exceed 300. Among them, no more than three special prizes will be awarded for each category, and the number of first prizes shall not exceed 15 percent of the total awarded projects in each category.

The China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award will be granted to no more than 10 recipients at one time.

Regarding nominations and acceptance, the newly revised rules mention that the State Science and Technology Awards will implement a quota-based nomination system. The qualification conditions for nominating units and experts, as well as the quota nomination requirements, shall be stipulated by the MOST in nomination measures. Nominating experts should make nominations within their disciplinary fields of expertise.

The document also strengthens the responsibilities of nominators and specifies circumstances under which candidates may not be nominated. Endangering national security, harming public interests, jeopardizing human health, violating ethical norms, or engaging in academic misconduct — any of these five categories disqualifies a candidate from being nominated.

A scientific integrity review system is to be implemented for all award submissions. The MOST will establish a database of serious breaches of trust by nominators, review committee members, review experts and candidates. The National Office for Science and Technology Awards will review the integrity of relevant individuals and organizations during nomination and evaluation activities. Individuals and organizations under disciplinary sanctions will be disqualified in accordance with procedures.

The policy also clarifies the scope and evaluation criteria for The China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award. Candidates for this award should be in good standing with China and meet one of the following conditions:

•Make significant scientific and technological achievements through cooperative research or development with Chinese citizens or organizations which have significantly promoted China's economic and social development and achieved notable economic or social benefits.

•Make important contributions to teaching advanced sci-tech to Chinese citizens or organizations, propose important suggestions and strategies for scientific and technological development, or train scientific, technological, or management personnel, thereby advancing China's sci-tech development and achieving notable social or economic benefits.

•Make important contributions to promoting China's sci-tech policies and achievements, facilitating scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries or international organizations, and enhancing China's international influence in the sci-tech field, while significantly promoting China's sci-tech development.