Tencent has officially announced the opening of applications for the fourth cohort of its New Cornerstone Investigator Program, a significant initiative aimed at fostering fundamental scientific research and original innovation. This program is designed with a unique philosophy: no evaluations, no focus on publication counts, and no strict time constraints. Instead, it offers substantial and stable financial support to exceptional scientists.
Key Program Features and Support
The New Cornerstone Investigator Program provides substantial research funding, with recipients receiving either 5 million or 3 million RMB annually, for a continuous period of five years. This long-term, stable support is intended to empower scientists to delve into the frontiers of basic science and tackle complex, potentially groundbreaking problems, even if immediate results are not guaranteed.
According to the program’s official website, it is a philanthropic initiative focused on original innovation and encouraging free exploration. Its primary goal is to provide consistent, long-term backing for outstanding scientists to dedicate themselves to fundamental research. The program aims to facilitate ‘zero-to-one’ original innovations, ultimately contributing to scientific advancement and human well-being.
The program encompasses two main fields: Mathematics and Physical Sciences, and Biological and Medical Sciences. It also actively encourages interdisciplinary research, recognizing the growing importance of cross-field collaboration in scientific discovery.
Investment and Scope
Tencent plans to invest a total of 10 billion RMB over a decade, with the objective of stably supporting between 200 and 300 distinguished scientists. Following the initial five-year funding period, researchers are eligible to apply for continued support, ensuring sustained investment in their work.
The funding structure is as follows:
- Experimental Sciences: 25 million RMB per individual over 5 years.
- Theoretical Sciences: 15 million RMB per individual over 5 years.
Application Period and Previous Success
The application window for the fourth cohort of the New Cornerstone Investigator Program runs from November 1, 2023, to January 15, 2024. To date, the program has supported a total of 139 scientists across its first three phases, highlighting its growing impact and reach within the scientific community.
This initiative by Tencent underscores a commitment to nurturing foundational scientific exploration, providing a crucial safety net for researchers pursuing high-risk, high-reward projects that are essential for long-term scientific progress.
