Organizers of the State Science and Technology Awards changed the rules for one prize this year to prevent potential corruption.
Scientists were barred from nominating themselves for the Natural Science Award, a category that recognizes major breakthroughs in fundamental research. Instead, candidates had to be nominated by peers who were not allowed to remain anonymous, according to the awards committee.
The move is a pilot to prevent corruption and to ensure authenticity in the voting process, according to a committee official who cannot be named due to the committee's media regulations.
"Under the old system, candidates had a reason to utilize their resources to promote themselves and potentially affect the voting process," he said.
The official said that during a review of this year's State Science and Technology Progress Award, which encourages scientific and technological progress serving economic and social development, a candidate was disqualified after trying to bribe members of the jury.
"Under the new system, a person or institute that makes a nomination remains independent and objective, as they do not have a vested interest," he said, adding that if the pilot is successful, the committee will expand the system to cover other categories.
