国家自然科学基金如何更好地引导基础研究多元投入?

How Could National Natural Science Foundation of China Better Guide Diversified Investment in Basic Research?

优化基础研究经费投入结构、加快构建多元投入格局是当前我国科技事业的重点工作之一。国家自然科学基金对撬动基础研究多元投入有重要作用,联合基金是国家自然科学基金引导基础研究多元投入的主要途径,是国家自然科学基金委员会面向国家需求、引导多元投入、推动资源共享、促进多方合作的成功探索。然而,一方面,目前联合基金合作方只限于具有"国有"性质的部门、机构和企业,尚未扩展到"私营"企业等主体;另一方面,联合基金的管理体制和运行模式未能充分体现联合基金"合作投资"的内在属性。基于此,建议联合基金在管理理念上突破"公"与"私"的界限,实现向公共私营合作制(PPP)模式的转变;同时,设立相对独立的"联合基金管理中心",完善适应联合基金性质的治理体系和管理机制,并完善符合联合基金特点的评审标准和成果利用机制。此外,在新发展阶段,需要破解国家科学基金长期未能接受社会捐赠这一问题。以国家自然科学基金接受社会捐赠是"公益信托"行为的分析为基础,依据国家相关法律规定,建议应首先赋予国家自然科学基金委员会合法合规地接受社会捐赠的资格和身份,并成立"中国科学基金公益信托中心",以突破现有制度障碍,推动国家自然科学基金接受社会捐赠。

It is one of the key tasks of science and technology in China to adjust the investment structure of basic research funds and accelerate the construction of multiple investment pattern.The National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)plays an important role in leveraging diversified investment in basic research.At present,the joint funds are the main way for NSFC to guide diversified investment in basic research in China.It is a successful exploration for NSFC to meet national needs,guide diversified investment,promote resource sharing and multilateral cooperation.Nevertheless,on the one hand,the cooperation of the joint funds is limited to state-owned organizations,institutions,and enterprises,but has not been extended to private sectors.On the other hand,the management system and operation mode cannot fully reflect the inherent property of the cooperative investment of the joint funds.Thus,it is suggested that the joint funds break through the boundary between public and private sectors in terms of management philosophy to realize the transformation to the public-private partnership(PPP)cooperation model of R&D;set up a relatively independent“Joint Funds Management Center”to improve the governance system and mechanism;establish and improve the evaluation criteria and mechanism for the utilization of results that are in line with the characteristics of the joint funds.In the new stage of development,it is necessary to solve the long-standing problem that NSFC has been unable to receive donations from society.Based on the analysis that the NSFC’s acceptance of social donations is a“public trust”behavior,this study figures out that NSFC should first be given the qualification and identity to accept social donations legally and in compliance.It is suggested to set up a“China Science Fund Public Trust Center”to break through the existing institutional barriers and promote the NSFC to accept social donations.