Funding Research Projects

The NSC's support for domestic sci-tech research primarily takes the form of grants for educational and research institutions to conduct research projects. Proposed research projects must pass through two stringent rounds of review; if approved, projects can receive financing from the Council for research personnel, equipment, books and information, consumable materials and overseas travel expenses.

• Individual Research Projects

  An individual research project is submitted by a single researcher according to his or her specialty and interests.
  
  Research Projects Funded by NSC (2005)
  
  Number of Research Projects Approved in 1996-2005
  
  



• Integrated Research Projects

  An integrated research project consists of one main project and several sub-projects, and focuses on the NSC's mission-oriented research topics. A chief investigator may propose a multi-disciplinary or multi-institute project, or form a group of integrated projects around a specific topic. In addition to financial funding, the NSC provides other assistance to encourage researchers to form teams and establish centers of excellence, thereby drawing the maximum benefit from available resources.



• National Science and Technology Programs

  Since 1997, The NSC has been sponsoring national science and technology programs to address major social, economic, and employment problems in Taiwan. National programs currently underway are: Telecommunications, Hazards Mitigation, Agricultural Biotechnology, Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals, System-on-Chips, Digital Archives, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Genomic Medicine, and e-Learning. Jointly implemented by various government agencies, these programs train sci-tech personnel in key areas and boost Taiwan's overall competitiveness.



• Program for Promoting Academic Excellence of Universities - Phase II

  To further research results from the Ministry of Education's "Program for Promoting Academic Excellence of Universities," the NSC in January 2003 allocated USD93.8 million for the "Program for Promoting Academic Excellence of Universities (Phase II)," to be implemented from 2004 through 2009. Phase II will encourage cooperation and exchange among domestic researchers, integrate resources, and reinforce of areas of academic strength.



• Industry-University Cooperative Research Projects

  In 1991, the NSC initiated industry-university cooperative research projects to encourage collaboration between industry and academia in developing key technologies and innovative products, and to cultivate experienced senior-level technical personnel. By the end of 2005, nearly USD103.1 million had been approved for 470 projects involving 571 companies. A total of 2,370 researchers from companies participated in these projects, while 4,750 Ph.D. and master's degree students received training.
  In addition, the Council implemented the "Program to Upgrade Industrial Technology and Enhance Human Resources" in 2002 to enrich basic skills of personnel engaged in practical research, and to strengthen their technical research experiences. This program helps research institutions to better meet the needs of small- and mid-sized enterprises while enhancing technical innovation. From 2002 through 2005, a total of 3,972 projects received USD46.9 million from the NSC and another USD20.9 million from 4,047 companies combined. A total of 5,735 Ph.D. and maste's degree students received training through these projects.



• Digital Content Industry-University Cooperative Research Projects

  The NSC began funding "Digital Content Industry-University Cooperative Research Projects" in 2004 to promote research on e-learning, digital archives, and digital content, as well as to consolidate the needs of the industry in these areas. By the end of 2005, 21 projects received funding of USD738,750 from the NSC plus USD848,440 from cooperating companies.



• Applications of R&D Results

  After the promulgation of the Fundamental Science and Technology Act in 1999, all intellectual property rights (IPR) arising from NSC-funded research projects and not designated national property were conferred upon the organization responsible for the project. The Council also helped establish systems on promoting R&D outcomes and implemented performance-based funding measures to encourage organizations to file for patents, technology transfers, and copyrights. These efforts have helped expedite the application of R&D outcomes. By the end of 2005, a total of 548 technology transfer cases and 3,787 early-phase technology transfer cases had been completed. And beginning1999, the project-implementing organizations have been responsible for filing their own patent applications on research results. Over the past five years (through 2005), 1,328 domestic and foreign patents have been attained.