There are very few awards available on the national level in Taiwan that recognize scholars early on in their careers. Since 1996, Academia Sinica has been honoring junior scholars who have published research papers that make a lasting impact in their research fields with the Academia Sinica Research Awards for Junior Investigators in Taiwan.
        Now in its 15th year, the award has been pursued by many young academics in Taiwan and is perceived as a great honor.

The awards are given in three main categories. This year a total of 149 applications were received － 69 in the Division of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, 38 in the Division of Life Sciences, 42 in the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences. All submissions underwent a stringent review procedure including pre-screening, initial review, 2nd stage review, and a final review.

On June 3, an award ceremony was hosted by the President of Academia Sinica Dr. Chi-Huey Wong for this year’s winners. During the ceremony, winners briefly presented their winning publications.

The awardees each received a certificate and a cash prize of NT$200,000. Additionally, they also received NT$300,000 for research expenditures to be used within two years following the receipt of the award. (Co-winners shared their cash prize and research expenditures but were each awarded a certificate)

This year’s awardees of the Academia Sinica Research Award for Junior Research Investigators, by division, are:

        Mathematics and Physical Sciences Division (6)
Dr. Lin, Phone
Professor, Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Taiwan University
Dr. Hu, Chi-Chang
Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University
Dr. Kao, Ying-Jer
Associate Professor, Department of Physics, National Taiwan University
Dr. Hsu, Ya-Ju
Assistant Research Fellow, Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica

Dr. Huang, Hsuan-Yi
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University
Dr. Chen, Yi-Hau
Research Fellow, Institute of Statistical Science, Academia Sinica

        Life Sciences Division (5)
Dr. Lin, Chun-Hung 
Research Fellow, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica 
Dr. Ma, Che 
Associate Research Fellow, Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica
Dr. Chen, Pei-Yen 
Associate Research Fellow, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica
Dr. Lai, Erh-Min
Associate Research Fellow, Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica
Dr. Yen, Lin-ju
Associate Investigator and Attending Physician, Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes