The development of executive agencies is an important part of the management reform of the national science and technology programs. In accordance with the governmental requirement on “accelerating the formulation of rules and regulations for executive agencies”, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) recently issued the Interim Provisions on Executive Agencies of the Science and Technology Programs (Special Projects and Funds) under the Central Finance (hereafter referred to as “The Provisions”), which was approved by the Inter-ministerial Meeting on the Management of the National Science and Technology Programs (Special Projects and Funds). The Provisions clarifies the role, responsibility, selection, operation, monitoring and assessment of executive agencies.

The Provisions has 9 chapters and 51 articles in total.

Chapter I, “General Provisions”, specifies the basis of The Provisions, the definition of executive agencies, entities responsible for the management of executive agencies, and sources of project management funds.

Chapter II, “Responsibilities and Tasks of Executive Agencies” includes the compilation of the management plan and budgetary estimates, participation into the compilation of the annual project guidance, project approval, process management, acceptance and follow-up management, report of major items, supportive services and other items as agreed upon.

Chapter III, “Application and Acceptance of Executive Agencies”, introduces the basic procedures of the recommendation and application of executive agencies, specifies standards for these agencies from six aspects, i.e. organizational structure, governance structure, management system, management capability, management conditions and social credit, establishes principles for the board of directors and the board of supervisors, and points out that qualified science and technology service agencies could apply.

Chapter IV, “Rebuilding and Task Commission of Executive Agencies”, specifies the rebuilding goals and factors considered in selection of executive agencies.

Chapter V, “Codes of conduct”, includes codes that executive agencies should comply with in project management, acceptance and expert review, makes requirement on science and technology reports and information disclosure, and forbids 8 acts in project management.

Chapter VI, “Management of Classified Information”, requires executive agencies to adopt regulations and standard procedures on management of classified information.

Chapter VII, “Archive Management of Executive Agencies”, lays out requirements for executive agencies on archive management.

Chapter VIII, “Monitoring and Assessment of Executive Agencies”, includes clear requirements on supervision and evaluation of executive agencies.

Chapter IX, “Supplementary Provisions”, specifies the agency that has the authority to interpret The Provisions and the time it takes effect.