Experts urge reform of science grants

BEIJING - Chinese scientists are spending so much time applying for research grants that the country's attempts to achieve scientific breakthroughs and innovation have been seriously impeded, Wang Tingda, the former audit supervisor for the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has warned.

Wang, who is also a member of the CPPCC National Committee, is worried the current mechanism of allocating research funding is taking up too much of Chinese scientists' time and energy when their prime duty should be working in laboratories.

"Some of them are consuming at least half of their time filling in application forms for research projects," Wang told China Daily on the sidelines of the annual session of the CPPCC National Committee, citing a survey he conducted among more than 370 scientists from 11 research institutes around the country.