Springer Nature seals strategic cooperation agreement with the NSFC
Beijing, 8 September 2016
Springer Nature and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) have entered into a strategic cooperation framework agreement which will further promote Chinese research by enabling both sides to work together to conduct research on science and technology policy, launch academic initiatives and promote open access and open data. The agreement was signed in Beijing today by Stefan von Holtzbrinck, Chairman of Springer Nature and Chief Executive Officer of Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, and Yang Wei, President of the NSFC.
Open access is playing an increasingly important role in disseminating scientific works and advances in technology and innovation, with open science and open data becoming a growing trend, driven by the evolution of modes of research and information technology. Moreover, natural science is reinforcing interdisciplinary collaboration with the social sciences in dealing with social challenges such as sustainable development and human health.
In light of these global issues on which open access and interdisciplinary research can have an impact, Springer Nature and the NSFC will conduct joint-research on science and technology policy, publish reports and white papers, and hold academic seminars.
Springer Nature and the NSFC will jointly promote development of the NSFC institutional repositories to further advance green open access in China. Research papers published in Springer Nature journals that are funded by the NSFC will be automatically deposited into an NSFC institutional repository within one year after publication.
Furthermore, Springer Nature will also communicate to the global science community through its networks and platforms what the NSFC has achieved in promoting basic R&D and research evaluation in China since its establishment thirty years ago.
“The NSFC undertakes an important mission to develop China into a powerhouse in science and technology that will enable global science to thrive. Our cooperation with Springer Nature will facilitate dissemination and communication of high-quality Chinese research, demonstrate the performance of Chinese grant programmes and build favorable policy environments to benefit scientific development and innovation in China by leveraging the resources and advantages on both organisations,” Mr. Yang Wei said.
“China has significantly improved its position and reputation in the global science community with increased investment in basic research and strengthened reforms. The NSFC, as one of the major funders in China, has been playing a key role in the process, which is widely acclaimed by research community and draws the attention of its foreign counterparts. A big congratulation to the NSFC, especially at the time of its 30th anniversary this year!” said Mr. Holtzbrinck. “We are honoured to continue contributing to China’s science development by disseminating globally China’s best research and its best practice in research management through this strategic partnership with the NSFC.”
Earlier this week, Mr. Holtzbrinck attended the Nature Research Summit in Shanghai, a first-of-its kind meeting Springer Nature has held in China. This internal summit discussed the best approaches to serving both the global and Chinese science communities and facilitating scientific research. Mr. Yang Wei was also invited to deliver a keynote speech at the summit, setting out China’s basic research landscape and introducing the 13th Five-Year Plan for the NSFC to the guests from both home and abroad.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Zhang Li
Senior Corporate Communications Manager, Greater China
T: +86 21 2422 5047
M: +86 185 0160 5808
E: li.zhang@springernature.com
Springer Nature is a leading global research, educational and professional publisher, home to an array of respected and trusted brands providing quality content through a range of innovative products and services. Springer Nature is the world’s largest academic book publisher, publisher of the world’s most influential journals and a pioneer in the field of open research. The company numbers almost 13,000 staff in over 50 countries. Springer Nature was formed in 2015 through the merger of Nature Publishing Group, Palgrave Macmillan, Macmillan Education and Springer Science+Business Media.
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