On April. 28^th 2020，NSFC held the webinar with grantees supported by its special fund for basic research on “Response, Governance and Impacts of COVID-19 and other Public Health Emergencies” and advisory panelists. Prof. Hou Zengqian, Vice President of NSFC, Prof. Wu Qidi, Director General of Department of Management Sciences, and Prof. Yang Liexun, Deputy Director General of Department of Management Sciences were present. Prof. Liu Zuoyi, Deputy Director General of Department of Management Sciences, chaired the meeting.

Prof. Hou emphasized the mission and scopes of the special fund for COVID-19. First, NSFC encourages researchers to collaborate with the frontline healthcare facilities and government agencies, so as to provide comprehensive policy analyses in response to the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences for international relations in a long-term perspective. Second, NSFC recommends researchers to use reliable data sources and rigorous evaluation methods to deliver scientific and effective solutions to help address challenges related to COVID-19 from a global perspective. Third, NSFC particularly encourages researchers to deliver pragmatic policies and strategies for healthcare facilities and government agencies with respect to prevention management, emergency management and control, public administration, and social and economic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic.

Prof. Wu acknowledged support from NSFC and scientific community, and briefly reviewed existing grants, research contributions and academic teams related to emergency management and public health supported and funded by Department of Management Science over the years.

The webinar consisted of four sessions, including prevention management, emergency management and control, public administration, and social and economic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty grantees of the special fund presented the content, rationale and scope, research management plan, and expected outcomes of their projects. The advisory panelists, invited by NSFC, discussed the proposals with the principal investigators (PIs) and offered suggestions for additional major research efforts for each of the projects.

      Prof. Yang concluded the meeting by summarizing several guidelines and suggestions for PIs supported by the special fund for COVID-19. In the spirit of “Remain true to our original aspiration”, all the research teams should focus on their own research objectives stated in the proposals, and contribute to the development of scientific theories that will lay the foundation for policies, strategies and practices in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, all of research projects are required to acknowledge funding sources appropriately, attend to the protection intellectual property rights, and manage the funding lawfully and efficiently. Department of Management Sciences is dedicated to supporting the scientific community and promoting international cooperation.