The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) is calling for proposals for 2024 National Natural Science Foundation Guide-Oriented Original Exploration Project: “Basic Theory and Governance Methods for Data Circulation Markets” Project Guide 2024年度国家自然科学基金指南引导类原创探索计划项目 “数据流通市场的基础理论与治理方法”项目指南

You could visit their official website for more information: 2024年度国家自然科学基金指南引导类原创探索计划项目 “数据流通市场的基础理论与治理方法”项目指南

Core Scientific Issues:

This project focuses on the core scientific issues of mechanism design and governance methods in data markets, specifically including the following two aspects:

1. Theoretical Research on Data Markets. To investigate the new characteristics of data market structures and the emergence mechanisms and conditions of integrated, multi-level data markets, as well as to design contract mechanisms and infrastructure architectures that align with data characteristics.
2. Research on Data Market Governance Methods. To study the pathways and governance systems for orderly development in the early stages of data markets, exploring the formation mechanisms of market competition, pricing mechanisms, market specialization and division of labor, and multi-level market structures under conditions of high market uncertainty and incomplete information, as well as the corresponding market governance mechanisms and strategies.

Priority Areas:

1. Systematic research on data as a new production factor and investigate the new characteristics of data as a production factor and the prerequisites for its participation in market circulation, explore the mechanisms of data market formation and evolution, and study the new characteristics of data market structures, along with the emergence mechanisms and conditions of integrated, multi-level data markets.
2. Investigate the supply and demand relationships in data markets, the interactive relationships of specialized cooperation, and their equilibrium conditions. Explore the coordination and governance mechanisms in markets characterized by imperfect competition for data, propose methods for mutual influence and collaborative management between data markets and related product markets, and seek the fundamental causes of data market failures along with effective strategies for government regulation.

What to Fund and Funding Plans

The funding period is generally 1 to 3 years, with funding intensity typically not exceeding 1 million RMB per year. Applicants may choose the funding duration and request financial support based on the actual needs of their research work.

Eligibility and Quota Requirements::

1. Scientists and technical personnel with experience in undertaking basic research projects (topics) or other foundational research can apply (faculty members who at least had one NSFC project before).
2. Applicants can only apply for one original project (including pre-applications) in the same year.
3. Original projects will not be counted in the total quota of applications and undertakings from the start of the pre-application until the National Natural Science Foundation Committee decides on funding; once funded, they will be counted in the total quota.
4. Before filling out the application form, applicants should carefully read this project guide and the relevant content of the “2024 National Natural Science Foundation Project Guide.” Applications that do not comply with the project guide and related requirements will not be accepted.

Application Process:

• Pre-Application

1. Apply online through https://grants.nsfc.gov.cn by completing a pre-application. Please log into your personal account and fill out the application. If you do not have a personal account, please contact RSO and we will create one for you.
2. The pre-application primarily discusses the originality, scientific validity, and potential impact of the proposed academic ideas, with a word limit of 2,000 words. Applicants should fill out the relevant information in the system according to the provided prompts and then submit the pre-application directly to the NSFC.
3. The NSFC will accept and review the pre-applications. The review results will be communicated to the applicants via email.

• Formal Application

1. Applicants whose pre-applications have been approved should fill out the formal application according to the requirements outlined in the “Special Project – Original Exploration Plan Project Formal Application Writing Outline.” The core research content of the formal application should be consistent with that of the pre-application.
2. Unless otherwise specified, the total number of collaborating research units for each original project shall not exceed two; the main participants must be actual contributors to the project.
3. Applicants need to work on a budget for Original Project.

Language: Chinese

Internal Deadline: 12:00 pm, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

If you are interested in applying for this funding opportunity, please submit your proposals via NSFC system by the internal deadline.