The Harvard China Fund (HCF)

Harvard already has strong China studies programs, but a new funding effort, the "Harvard China Fund," has been created to enable more opportunties for students and faculty to conduct China-related research. The Crimson's Yifei Chen has the story:

According to Harvard School of Public Health Dean Barry R. Bloom, who sits on the HCF's steering committee, the fund should support research across all schools that will seek to understand and influence the socio-economic development of China.

Bloom added that the steering committee would serve in an advisory capacity. "Support for projects should be based on the best and most creative ideas of the faculty," he wrote. "[The fund] should stimulate and foster a competition of ideas that are focused on China."

Dominguez emphasized that the HCF's purpose was "not to supplant but to supplement and expand the work [on China] that is already under way."

"It will not hire professors, admit students, or grant degrees, but it will help to support professors and students at Harvard who work on China," he wrote.

The Harvard Gazette also covers the story, and notes that Geisinger Professor of History and former FAS dean Bill Kirby is involved in the effort, as are a lot of other faculty with China-related expertise.

Note: HCF also stands for the Harvard College Fund, which solicits Harvard College alumni.