Rule to monitor science funding

Stricter punishments are being introduced for people who defraud State funds intended for scientific research.

A spokesman for the State Council's Legislative Affairs Office admitted money had been defrauded from science funding in recent years, but said the National Natural Science Fund Regulation, unveiled recently, would help tackle the problem.

Under the regulation people found to have defrauded money from the Natural Science Fund will not be allowed to apply for funding for three to seven years, and will have their professional titles rescinded.