Configurational determinants of time-to-win in NSFC youth program funding: Insights from Chinese library and information science

Abstract

While extensive research has delved into various facets of science funding outputs and the determinants of funding approval, prevailing methodologies predominantly rely on descriptive statistics or regression analyses. These approaches often miss a holistic view that integrates the interplay of multiple influential factors. In this study, we leverage the scientific research productivity model to introduce the Institution-Capability-Demographics framework, encompassing three pivotal dimensions: institutional characteristics, individual capabilities, and individual demographics. Adopting a configuration perspective, we scrutinize the synergistic effects of these dimensions on the time-to-win in science funding applications. Our empirical analysis draws from data of 72 young scholars affiliated with the Youth Program for Library and Information Science (LIS) of the NSFC, all of whom secured funding between 2003 and 2019. Through the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study delineates four distinct mechanisms that expedite the application process for the NSFC's Youth Program: demographic-capability-institution synergy, capability-centric balance, demographic-capability harmony, and capability-institution equilibrium. The findings elucidate the intricate interdependencies of factors influencing the time-to-win in science funding, offering valuable guidance for science fund managers and fostering the growth of emerging scholars.