Analysis of dental and craniofacial research programs supported by National Natural Science Foundation / 中华医学科研管理杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo enhance the fund efficiency of dental research programs supported by National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC) and to reveal the achievements and progresses of the funds.MethodsThe data of programs in dental and craniofacial field supported by NSFC from 1999 to 2006 and completed between 2003 and 2009 were collected based on the final reports by the investigators.The data of personnel training,research publication,patent,awards,and academic communication at domestic and international levels were all collected and analysed. Results There were 307 grants in total,including 185 general programs,73 Young Scientists Funds,13 regional funds,3 Key Programs,1 National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars and 32 others.An average of 4 postgraduate students was trained by each program.In general,the outcomes of general programs were better than those of Young Scientists Fund,and the latter was better than regional fund.There was steady increase each year in the amount of papers published in SCI journals,and about half of the investigators published SCI papers.In addition,9 patents were registered and 13 prizes were won, and the investigators participated 610 domestic and international exchanges.Conclusions The continuously increase of NSFC support in dental field has led to substantial achievement,although patent application,the quality of papers and novel ideas need to be improved.