TENCENT(HK:00700) 2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2025-09-21 03:26Core Points - The "Science Exploration Award" ceremony was held on September 20 in Shenzhen, celebrating 50 award-winning scientists who are addressing significant scientific questions [1] - The award, funded by Tencent and operated by the New Cornerstone Science Foundation, aims to support top young scientists in China with a total of 3 million yuan over five years for each winner [3][10] - The award focuses on original innovation and aligns with national needs, with past winners achieving notable recognition in top scientific journals [4] Group 1: Award Details - This year, the award recognized research in various cutting-edge fields, including artificial retina repair, life identification in Martian rocks, and drug development for neurogenic hearing loss [3] - The award has a history of supporting 347 scientists over seven years, with 11 winners' research recognized as "Top Ten Scientific Advances in China" [4] - The award has expanded to cover 10 fields and has seen a broader representation from various regions and institutions, with winners from 15 cities and 33 institutions [8] Group 2: Demographics and Inclusivity - This year saw a record number of young scientists and female scientists among the winners, with 13 young scientists, including 6 born in the 1990s, and 9 female winners, making up 18% of the total [5][7] - The award has adjusted age criteria to encourage more female participation, reflecting a commitment to supporting women in research [7] - The introduction of "new star quotas" has attracted more young applicants, with 261 young scientists applying this year, nearly double from the previous year [7] Group 3: Long-term Commitment - Tencent's involvement in the award reflects a long-term commitment to supporting basic scientific research without commercial motives, aiming to contribute positively to society [10] - The initiative is seen as a way to leverage private funding to complement national scientific investment, allowing young scientists to focus more on research rather than financial concerns [10]