Short abstract

This study analyzes the relationship between funding patterns at both the agency and project levels, and research performance—measured by impact, innovation, and goal achievement—in the context of mission-oriented basic research in China.

Long abstract

As an increasing amount of research funding is directed towards mission-oriented basic research, the concentration versus dispersion of funding has become a critical issue. This is particularly salient for mission-oriented basic research within the context of China's evolving funding landscape.

Drawing on China's landmark 15-year science and technology plan, the National Medium- and Long-Term Program for Science and Technology Development (MLP 2006-2020), this study first identifies the government's designated basic research priorities. We then match these priorities with top-down projects funded by different agencies. Based on this dataset, we measure funding concentration for each priority at both the agency and project levels. Furthermore, we assess three tiers of performance metrics: research impact, innovation (encompassing novelty and disruptiveness), and goal achievement (specifically, the attainment of macro-level innovation goals outlined in the MLP).

Our results reveal that project-level funding concentration promotes all three performance metrics. In contrast, while agency-level concentration has a positive effect on research impact and innovation, it negatively affects goal achievement. These findings provide evidence-based insights for optimizing funding mechanisms for mission-oriented basic research.