Some 1,174 young scientists have so far benefited from the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, the endowment set up to spawn scientific and technological accomplishments in 1994.

Recipients of the money have become, or are becoming, stalwarts in basic research in China, Chen Yiyu, president of the National Natural Science Foundation, said yesterday at the fund's 10th anniversary meeting, reported China Daily.

Chen's foundation is affiliated with the State Council for the management of the National Natural Science Fund.

When the fund was created, the foundation was appointed to manage it.

During the 1990s, basic research in China was under great pressure due to aging and retiring professionals, said Chen.

Fostering scientific interest in young professionals while attracting additional overseas students to become involved was of strategic importance for China's scientific and technological development.

It was under such circumstances that fund came into being.

The Chinese Government has allocated 1.17 billion yuan (US$141 million) to the fund, the president said.

Of 76 teams for innovative research supported by the foundation in recent years, leaders of 67 have been beneficiaries of fund grants.