Academia Sinica Logo

The inaugural Academia Sinica Conference (AS Conference) officially commenced today (June 30). This new event aims to showcase Academia Sinica’s research achievements, foster interdisciplinary exchanges, and enhance the sense of academic community. The opening ceremony was presided over by President James C. Liao, who delivered a keynote speech titled “Decoding Academia Sinica: Its Philosophy, Strategy, and Recent Progress.” President Liao emphasized that Academia Sinica is driven by “ambition, virtue and wisdom,” and outlined three strategic goals: attain global peaks of excellence, fulfil critical societal responsibilities, and recruit and cultivate top talents. He further noted that consistent alignment between evaluations and rewardswith the objectives underpins the design of new assessment, recruitment, and project review systems.

Building Institutional Mechanisms Aligned with Strategic Goals

President Liao stated that the promotion evaluation system at Academia Sinica places strong emphasis on research quality rather than merely the quantity of publications. A narrative CV format has been introduced, and the minimum required time for promotion has been shortened to one year. In terms of incentives, the “Presidential Scholar Award” was established for colleagues with outstanding research and service performance prior to their Distinguished PI appointment. The number of Distinguished Research Fellows has been increased. Additionally, the Alpha Program that designed to address national critical challenges were established, using the milestone achievement as a criterion for rewards.

Academia Sinica has placed strong emphasis on recruiting and cultivating outstanding talent, striving to build a high-quality academic environment in Taiwan. In 2023, the monthly scholarships for PhD students was raised to NT$40k–50K. In 2024, the new “Elite PhD Scholarship for Humanities and Social Sciences” was established. The number of applications and the enrollments for the Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP) significantly increased in the following year. Furthermore, Academia Sinica launched the TIGP-X Program to promote international collaboration and recruit global talent. In response to changes in the international situation, the “Pilot Program for Accelerated Admission of Top Doctoral Students” was launched to provides pathways in Taiwan for students who aspire to pursue further studies. Academia Sinica also increased the professional allowance for AS researchers and the research allowance for university professors by 15%. A new “Academia Sinica Scholar” program was established to recruit outstanding mid-career university professors with generous research funding and joint appointments with Academia Sinica.

President Liao revealed that a “HR on Two Fronts” is currently under planning. The first component aims to recruit outstanding pioneering researchers with high potential by offering internationally competitive compensation and research resources. These appointments will be full-time, non-tenure track positions with an initial five-year term, renewable for an additional five years based on performance. Appointees will have most of the rights and responsibilities of full-time research personnel. The second component, known as “Second Tenure,” is intended to encourage senior researchers to engage in long-term research planning, those aged 60 to 63 may apply in advance for special extended service upon recommendation by their Institute. If approved, they may be appointed in one term until the age of 70, enabling them to reach new heights in research.

Fulfilling Key Responsibilities Through World-Class Research

To realize its goal of achieving world-class research, Academia Sinica actively promotes curiosity and problem- driven independent research projects. In recent years, the number of papers published by its researchers in leading journals such as Cell, Nature, and Science has seen significant growth. The Humanities and Social Sciences Division has also published numerous monographs and edited volumes, reflecting strong academic output. To translate research excellence into societal impact, Academia Sinica has also launched several mission-oriented research initiatives, including those in quantum computing, net-zero technologies, and nucleic acid therapeutics. These efforts embody a vertically integrated approach from basic science to real-world applications.

Amid global uncertainty and rapid technological transformation, the Academia Sinica Conference underscore the Academy’s forward-looking vision and its engagement with pressing global issues. From exploring the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, to examining the implications of Bitcoin and blockchain, and analyzing geopolitical dynamics and ultra-low fertility rates, the conference’s four-day keynote series responds to today’s most urgent societal challenges and seeks potential solutions.

For the full agenda and open sessions, please visit: https://asconference2025.dia.as.edu.tw/