In order to motivate research at XJTLU, the University has established two internally funded programmes, including the Research Development Fund (RDF) and Research Enhancement Fund (REF).
RDF aims to enhance opportunities and support for early-career researchers to initiate their research careers at XJTLU, inspire them to seek governmental research funding, and foster scientific research in line with national goals and regulations. REF was established to facilitate continuing research or incubate new research projects. The continued relevant research output produced by REF ensures a good foundation for the researchers to apply for governmental funding. Some REF projects are further funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Jiangsu Science and Technology Programme, Suzhou Science and Technology Programme, and others.
All academic staff are eligible to apply for support from the internal research funding programmes. Applications open twice in each academic year, around March and September. Since 2010, external expert review and internal panel review have been organised for proposal review, and more than 500 academic staff member have successfully received internal research funding. The total funding amount granted to XJTLU academics since 2010 is about 34 million RMB.
As a new kind of research-led international university, XJTLU encourages researchers to actively carry out interdisciplinary and multi-field scientific research, and promote high-quality scientific research. XJTLU’s research focuses on environmental and social issues facing the globe, and their related disciplines. Through the University’s growing research impact, XJTLU is committed to serving public interest and social development.
Since 2006, XJTLU has actively applied for government research projects. According to statistics, from the establishment of the University in 2006 through to 2021, XJTLU has been awarded a total of 389 scientific research projects at national, provincial and municipal levels. It is particularly noteworthy that, as a Sino-foreign joint venture university, the The awarded rate of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Research Fund for International Scientists is 20.5% , which indicates the research strength and competitiveness of international scholars at XJTLU.
Relying on the resource advantages of the two countries and three universities, XJTLU has actively established positive cooperative relations with governments, industry partners, institutions and universities. XJTLU is striving to build high-level research teams and continuously improve the University’s research impact.
With the support of the Suzhou municipal government, XJTLU has launched a three-year action plan for the Key Programme Special Fund (KSF) with a total investment of 120 million RMB since 2017. KSF mainly supports the construction of the research unit and the project-based research fund programme. KSF also aims to support the establishment of a research system covering the complete innovation chain from basic research to industrial applications. The project-based research fund programme is divided into the Exploratory Research Programme, the Applied Technology Research Programme, and the Technology Transfer Programme.
Through the implementation of the three-year action plan, XJTLU has successfully established the XJTLU AI University Research Centre, the XIPU Institution, the International Innovation Hub and the International Technology Transfer Centre.
By the end of 2021, more than 386 published papers have been funded by the KSF programme. The project-based research fund programme has facilitated the cooperation between XJTLU and more than 80 universities and colleges, research institutes, enterprises, institutions, and governments, including the University of Hong Kong, Warwick Business School, the London School of Economics and Political Science, Sinopec Geophysical Research Institute, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Durham Institute of Biological Sciences, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Shanghai Boliu Capital, Ant Group, Suzhou Garden Development Co., Ltd., Suzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, and Suzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau – SIP Bureau.
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University recognises the value of both fundamental and applied research. The University works with funders and collaborators to exploit its discoveries for public benefit, through technology development, technology licensing, and other forms where appropriate.
By the end of 2021, the University had worked closely with government, industries, and research institutions in fields such as artificial intelligence and big data, carrying out 269 in-depth collaborations with a total funding amount of more than 49 million RMB.
Through the unremitting efforts of XJTLU researchers, XJTLU has achieved rapid growth in related disciplines over the past 15 years. The “2006-2020 Compilation on XJTLU Research Achievements – Research Grants” summarises the achievements of 196 completed government-funded research projects since the founding of the University, including 143 in the natural sciences and 53 in the social sciences. The projects cover 13 natural science and social science subject areas at national, provincial and municipal levels including artificial intelligence, new energy, biomedical engineering, advanced environmental protection, biomedical research, and new frontier materials.
For more information and details, please contact research.helpdesk@xjtlu.edu.cn.
