China's Ministry of Science and Technology announced Friday the start of on-line applications for national research and development programs and an end to paper applications by 2010.

Research institutes, companies and individuals are encouraged to click on the ministry's official website, www.most.gov.cn, to compose and file applications.

The service covers all national programs, including high-tech and key basic research and development, the large research facilities platform and programs for policy incentives, such as small business innovation research and the agricultural technology transfer fund.

Bao Xianhua, an official of the ministry's development planning department, said, "On-line applications will save applicants much time and expense. It will also increase transparency of management of national research and development programs."

Bao said applications for the national key basic research and development program had closed, but on-line applications for other programs were still open.

The government's research and development budget this year is 71.6 billion yuan (8.89 billion U.S. dollars), an annual increase of 19.2 percent. By 2010, the government aims to spend two percent of its gross domestic product on research and development.