Chinese researchers: Supporting policies, incentive mechanisms and decision-making participation empower women in science

Researchers from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) indicate that the array of measures implemented to support female researchers over the past decade has yielded significant effectiveness. The study advocates further opportunities for female researchers to actively participate in scientific and technological endeavors.

“Female scientists have made significant contributions to the nation’s scientific and technological progress and innovative development,” state Yu Xuan and Gao Ruiping, researchers from NSFC. Their insights were published in the Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (BCAS, in Chinese), a think tank journal supervised and sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), which focuses on strategic and decision-making research.

However, social and cultural stereotypes, gender biases and childcare and other family duties often hinder women’s progress in the field of science.

Since 2010, the NSFC has implemented special measures to support female researches by studying relevant policies and gaining an in-depth understanding of the situation of female scientists in China.

Female-supporting policies, including supportive measures for female researchers’ parental leave and their participation in scientific research management and decision-making, have showed positive results. Additionally, efforts have been made to promote women’s participation in scientific research management and decision-making. The NSFC has also been continuously monitoring and tracking progress towards gender equality.

The paper by Yu and Gao (2023) indicates that female scientists have gained more access to research projects. According to the article, female researchers have secured over 180,000 funded projects across various types, serving as project leaders. The cumulative funding amount for these projects exceeded 70 billion yuan from 1986 to 2021.

To address the impact of parental duties on women’s careers, the NSFC, in collaboration with the All-China Women’s Federation, provides female researchers with additional time to secure funding for certain projects. Additionally, they have introduced a policy that allows women to extend the project conclusion time during parental leave.

The results are indeed encouraging. For instance, the number of female researchers applying for the Young Scientist Fund have increased from 13,244 in 2010 to 25,694 in 2021, representing a remarkable 94 percent growth. Notably, thanks to the five-year extension given to the female researchers, 8,762 projects are submitted by women aged 36 to 40, constituting 34.1 percent of the total number of projects applied for by women.

Moreover, supporting measures have significantly contributed to the advancement of female scientists. Between 2012 to 2021, 307 female researchers aged 39 to 40 received funding from the Excellent Young Scientists Fund, while 166 of them secured funding for other types of projects. This accounts for 54.1 percent of the total funding received.

Yu and Gao highlight that the measures have facilitated the active participation of female scientists in science and technology management and major policy consultations. As of March 2022, the number of female reviewers in the NSFC expert database has surpassed 78,000, with the proportion increasing to 28.3 percent. These female experts now play an increasingly vital role in reviewing and making decisions regarding projects supported by the NSFC.

Moreover, gender equality awareness has been significantly enhanced. The article highlights that the NSFC actively promotes policies related to women through various forums and conferences. They call upon research institutions, researchers and review experts to pay close attention to gender equality issues within the field of science and technology.

Despite the progress that China has made in promoting the growth and development of female scientists, high-level female researchers remain scarce. Additionally, new challenges have arisen due to the two-child and three-child policies, which somewhat limit female researchers’ ability to fully engage in technological innovation. Therefore, funding organizations, government and society should collaborate to overcome these challenges and promote the participation of female scientists in technological innovation. The article gives the following five policy recommendations to support the growth of female in science and technology.

Firstly, China needs to strengthen its top-level design and improve the policy and regulation system to enable women’s greater participation in scientific research with equal rights, taking into account gender differences and the specific needs of women. Efforts should be intensified to enhance policy coordination among relevant functional departments, creating more platforms, opportunities and resources for female researchers. Furthermore, implementing specific and targeted measures based on these policies is crucial.

Secondly, the paper emphasizes that “Gender is not a dividing line for research capabilities, and women’s unique thinking and perspectives are indispensable elements in scientific and technological innovation.” Consequently, it becomes crucial to establish suitable mechanisms that encourage the active participation of high-level female researchers. Specific recommendations include implementing additional incentive policies for female scientists to take on high-level and major projects, relaxing age restrictions for female applicants in these initiatives, and fostering a gender-inclusive social environment to support the growth and development of female scientists.

Thirdly, there is a need to enhance women’s participation in the sci-tech management and decision-making process. Science and technology policy-making organizations, universities and research institutions should increase the representation of female scientists on expert panels involved in sci-tech decision-making, major projects demonstrations, awards evaluations, and professional title assessments.

Fourthly, it is essential to highlight outstanding women scientists as role models who successfully balance their careers and family life in a truthful and comprehensive manner. “By doing so, we can inspire other women to raise their self-awareness, and help them recognize their self-worth.” In addition, early support for female students in developing an interest in science and providing more opportunities for them to engage in scientific research will contribute to a brighter future.

Fifthly, female scientists should nurture their self-esteem, cultivate independence, and foster confidence. They are encouraged to overcome career challenges, shoulder social responsibilities, enhance their professional competence, and strive to contribute to the advancement of an innovative country.

Yu and Gao mention in this article: “The development of the world needs science, and the advancement of science needs women. Promoting and supporting the growth of female researchers is a long-term and important strategic task.” The NSFC remains committed to fostering the female researchers, particularly high-level female talents, and encourages their contributes to establishing China as a world-leading talent hub and bolstering China’s prowess in science and technology.