Premier Li Keqiang has signed a decree of the State Council to revise the regulation on national science and technology awards, which was released on Oct 27.

The revised regulation will take effect on Dec 1.

The regulation, designed to reward individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the scientific and technological arenas, was formulated based on the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Progress of Science and Technology.

The document clarifies the qualifications of the awards, which are the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, the State Natural Science Award, the State Technological Invention Award, the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award and the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.

The awards should be closely integrated with the country's major strategies and medium and long-term scientific and technological development plans, and rewards for basic research in natural sciences and application-oriented basic research will be increased, the document said.

The awards will use a nomination system, rather than self-recommendations, and should implement performance management.

Research integrity will be examined. Individuals and organizations which endanger national security or have scientific research misconduct shall not be nominated or awarded.

Review methods will be formulated by the administrative department of science and technology under the State Council.

The bonus for the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award will be decided by the State Council, per the regulation.

Private actors are also encouraged to establish science and technology awards.