On February 26th, the launch meeting for the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Special Project "Institutional Design and Key Technologies for Data Markets" was held. The event was organized by the NSFC’s Department of Management Sciences and Department of Information Sciences, and hosted by Wuhan University. Attendees included Pingwen Zhang, President of Wuhan University; Lieyun Ding, Director of the NSFC Department of Management Sciences; Zhulin Shen, Deputy Director of the National Data Administration; Jie Luan, Deputy Director-General (Acting Director-General) of the National Data Administration’s Policy and Planning Department; Ke Liu, Executive Deputy Director of the NSFC Department of Information Sciences; Gang Wu, Deputy Director of the NSFC Department of Management Sciences; Senfeng Zhou, Director of the Hubei Provincial Data Administration; Wei Lu, Vice President of Wuhan University; members of the expert guidance group; project team representatives; and staff from the NSFC’s Department of Management Sciences and Department of Information Sciences. The meeting was chaired by Zuoyi Liu, Deputy Director of the NSFC Department of Management Sciences.

In his welcome speech, Pingwen Zhang expressed gratitude for the long-standing support from the National Data Administration and the NSFC. He emphasized the critical importance of advancing institutional design and resolving key technological challenges in data markets to drive the development of the digital economy. He reaffirmed Wuhan University’s commitment to contributing its expertise and resources to the advancement of data-related initiatives.

Lieyun Ding reviewed the project’s background, highlighting its focus on addressing major issues at the intersection of management and technological innovation. He urged all research teams to align with the practical needs of China’s digital economy, maintain a problem-oriented and innovation-driven approach, and strive for groundbreaking original achievements.

Zhulin Shen offered suggestions for advancing the project, emphasizing adherence to the central leadership’s strategic decisions, seizing opportunities to build a foundational theoretical system for data, and promoting the practical application of research outcomes through pragmatic approaches.

Ke Liu outlined four key principles for the project: demand-driven precision, interdisciplinary integration, frontier-oriented exploration, and scenario-based implementation.

Professor Yijun Li of Harbin Institute of Technology chaired the project reporting session for the Department of Management Sciences. Research teams led by Professor Ke Rong (Tsinghua University), Professor Yi Sun (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences), Professor Meirui Zhong (Central South University), Professor Lin Zhao (Shanghai University of Finance and Economics), Professor Xuhui Wang (Dongbei University of Finance and Economics), Professor Jiang Wu (Wuhan University), and Professor Xi Zhang (Tianjin University) presented their respective research objectives, methodologies, expected outcomes, and timelines. The expert panel engaged in discussions with team leaders on topics such as data market allocation mechanisms, value assessment frameworks, and transaction system innovations. The panel advised incorporating historical perspectives, maintaining a holistic view, and prioritizing policy alignment and real-world applications. In his closing remarks, Gang Wu stressed the need for goal-oriented research focused on core themes and representative scenarios.

Professor Zhanhuai Li of Northwestern Polytechnical University chaired the session for the Department of Information Sciences. Teams led by Professor Wei Wang (Xi’an Jiaotong University), Researcher Jiafeng Guo (Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Professor Lan Zhang (University of Science and Technology of China), Professor Hui Li (Xidian University), Professor Baoliu Ye (Nanjing University), and Professor Xiaoyong Du (Renmin University of China) presented their research frameworks, implementation plans, and anticipated contributions. Discussions with the expert panel centered on data ownership, transaction mechanisms, data quality, and product deployment. Ke Liu concluded the session by urging all teams to adhere closely to the project guidelines and maintain strategic alignment.