Zhejiang Lab, located in Hangzhou, is an important science and technology innovation platform of Zhejiang province. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

Zhejiang province received a total amount of 1.26 billion yuan ($181 million) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2019 for the construction of 2,163 projects, a record high in both the number of projects and the funds amount, according to the provincial department of science and technology.

The province has been increasing input in basic research in recent years to promote innovation. The provincial natural science fund grew from 110 million yuan in 2014 to 195 million yuan in 2019, and the number of projects it supported rose from 1,270 in 2014 to 1,719 in 2019. 

It is expected that the fund for basic research in the province will total 14.7 billion yuan in 2022, with its proportion in R&D expenditure to be more than twice what it was in 2018.

The provincial natural science fund focuses on cultivating young scientists. Among projects supported by the fund this year, half were led by researchers aged 35 and under, while more than 40 percent were led by those aged between 36 and 45.

In November 2019, Zhejiang signed an agreement with the National Natural Science Foundation to be part of its collaborative fund for regional innovation development, and will focus on supporting research in digital economy and life sciences.

The province has also strengthened reform to streamline administrative procedures for researchers, reducing the time needed for project application and review by one third.