An Analysis On Protecting Basic Research Innovation During The Evaluation Of National Science Fund

It is common sense that science and technology constitute the prime force behind productivity. And basic research is not only the origin of science and technology but also the motive force and base for advanced productivity. As a major funding body for basic research in China, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSFC) make great efforts to accelerate the progress and development of basic research, to identify, foster and encourage innovative research. However, it is fairly difficult to recognize and support innovation, especially for original innovative research. This article analyzed and discussed how to protect innovative ideas in basic research in the process of evaluation of the research projects.At present, there are a few methods to evaluate research projects. Through analyzing the theories and experiences of basic research evaluation worldwide, this article concluded that in order to overcome random of qualitative method and unilateralism of quantitative method, both quantitative method and qualitative method should be used in the evaluation of research projects with the focus on the qualitative method. The article made comments on the peer review system, which is the main method for science fund evaluation, the scope and limitation of peer review system in selecting innovative research projects were further analyzed, and some suggestions and solutions were also discussed.Based on the understanding of the feature of basic research and the criterion of rational evaluation system, this article analyzed the character of basic research and the difficulties for its evaluation. Furthermore, the article probed into the characters of original innovation, and the influenced factors, which may relate to the realization of innovative ideas. On the basis of these studies, this article summarized the factors that could influence the evaluation of science fund. Accordingly, several preconditions for proper selecting original innovative research projects were proposed. These preconditions include establishing scientific, democratic, wide, modest and flexible evaluation environment, creating a favorable evaluation system with fairness, openness and effectiveness. It is essential that the qualitative method assisted by quantitative method, the combination of mechanism of chief umpire and non-chief umpire should be adopted in the process of the evaluation. It is also important to set up a team of peer viewers which is helpful to select innovative projects, to improve the program managers' professional quality, to exert awarding effect towards the innovation, to protect innovative idea through evaluation supervision system, and so on. The article also discussed how to realize these preconditions.Very often, the project containing original innovative idea can't get opportunity to be supported in time because it is not easy to get consensus during peer review process. It is an important step to studies the characters and causes of non-consensus projects in order to protect innovative ideas. Meanwhile, it is suggested that both multidisciplinary research projects and projects with certain venture may have important innovation, but we can't evaluate such kind of projects effectively through peer review system. Thus, this article studied the characters, causes of non-consensus projects,multidisciplinary projects and projects with venture. And finally the possible solutions related to above issues were proposed.