Academician application process opens

169 registry spots offered to domestic and foreign scientists and engineers

The Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering kicked off the application process for new academicians, the highest title bestowed on scientists and engineers in China.

The academies released guidelines and requirements for new fellows on Wednesday. Their registries are expanded every two years, and the final lists are typically published by the end of that year.

According to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this year's new members should come from key scientific disciplines in basic sciences, frontier sciences and interdisciplinary research that serve urgent national strategic needs.

Moreover, scientists who have made notable contributions to national security, major scientific instruments and key scientific research projects will also be favored this year.

The Chinese Academy of Engineering shared similar criteria. Foreign applicants who have made notable contributions to the development of science and technology in China can also apply to become fellows.

In 2021, 194 new Chinese and foreign academicians were added to the registries. This year, the two academies are set to add 169 new members — 79 for the science academy and 90 for engineering.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences currently has 823 Chinese and 128 overseas academicians, while the Chinese Academy of Engineering has 914 Chinese and 110 overseas academicians.

The two academies have added new regulations this year to ensure fairness and impartiality during this year's application process. For instance, people holding senior positions in government agencies or companies should not be candidates.

Those who failed to uphold high ethical standards or have violated academic integrity are also barred, as are those listed as candidates three consecutive times from 2017 to 2021 but who failed to make the final registries.

Each academician can only recommend one candidate who is not a family member or graduate student. Candidates over age 65 would need recommendations from two academicians.

These rules are meant to prevent dishonest practices such as nepotism, under-the-table dealings and poaching of sensitive information regarding the selection process, thus ensuring only the most qualified candidates can be added to the registries.

According to the two academies, academicians are some of the most notable scientists and engineers in the country. Not only have they contributed greatly to their fields and to the country's socioeconomic progress, but they are also tasked with providing key consultation to support the nation's science and technology policy decisions. As a result, academicians are highly respected in Chinese academia and society.