Chinese Academy of Sciences
About CAS
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) plays a pivotal role in China's pursuit of advanced technology and natural sciences for the betterment of the nation and the world. CAS serves as an extensive network for research and development, a merit-based scholarly society, and a higher education system, bringing together scientists and engineers from China and around the globe to address theoretical and practical challenges using world-class scientific and managerial methods. CAS has refined its strategy, focusing on democratic management, openness, and talent to establish itself as a leading global institution for scientific research and development.
In 1998, CAS initiated the National Knowledge Innovation Program (KIP), which spanned from 1998 to 2010. Under KIP, CAS achieved numerous scientific milestones, such as sequencing a portion of the human genome, sequencing the rice genome, developing advanced technologies like the Godson CPU chip and supercomputers, and making significant progress in various fields, from climate research to quantum memory with cold atoms. In 2013, the Chinese President encouraged CAS to contribute more to China's social and economic development by harnessing its combined research, education, and advisory capabilities. This led CAS to launch The Pioneer Initiative in 2014, with a focus on optimizing its institutes and scientific alignment for groundbreaking discoveries and innovations. The initiative resulted in the resolution of major scientific challenges, advances in core technologies, and the successful completion of its first phase.
INSF – CAS Collaboration
In 2016, CAS's President and the Iranian Vice President for Science and Technology (VPST) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the Joint Silk Road Science Fund (SRSF) to promote science and technology collaboration between the state and private sectors of Iran and CAS-affiliated institutions. The forms of activities stipulated in SRSF included joint research and development, joint workshops, exchange of researchers, collaboration on higher education between universities affiliated with CAS and universities in Iran, as well as the dissemination and sharing of science and technology information.
In the same year, the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) was entrusted by the VPST with the implementation of SRSF in Iran. Since then, INSF and CAS have closely collaborated, providing funding through annual SRSF joint calls. Scientific priority areas in SRSF included nanotechnology, advanced materials, water sciences, renewable energies, biological engineering, cognitive sciences, and artificial intelligence.
Further Information
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