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Paper short abstract

This article examines China's "Talent Recruitment and Champion Designation Mechanism" model, which prioritizes talent capabilities and increases opportunities for young people. However, it still faces challenges in balancing efficiency and fairness.

Paper long abstract

How to maximize the efficiency of limited resources while ensuring distributive fairness is a critical issue for research funding systems worldwide. The Talent Recruitment and Champion Designation Mechanism is a novel model that has emerged in China's scientific research funding sector in recent years. In this model, the government establishes a platform, enterprises propose scientific or technological demands and provide funding, and research teams are recruited nationally or even globally. This paper analyzes this novel project funding model to explore how to fully leverage the effectiveness of new funding formats and address equity issues during project implementation. This model prioritizes candidates' capabilities in talent selection, breaking down barriers related to professional titles and seniority, thereby broadening the channels for young people to obtain projects. At the same time, full delegation of authority is carried out to stimulate the vitality of the research team. The overall leader is granted considerable autonomy in matters such as team formation, technical route decision-making, and fund allocation. However, this model encounters difficulties and obstacles during implementation. First, there is the challenge of accurately determining whether the solution provider possesses sufficient capability. Second, it is unclear whether the outcomes of such projects meet the current talent evaluation criteria of universities and research institutes. Third, projects of this model are usually more challenging and demanding, and thus require how to provide long-term incentives. Therefore, addressing these shortcomings to more effectively leverage the potential of this novel funding model constitutes a key focus for further research.