This is an award under the Grants for Improving Doctoral Dissertation Research Program. The research examines the factors that contribute to the formation of the Chinese scientific elite. The study uses a comparative perspective for assessing applicability to the Chinese context of theories about Western scientific knowledge . A variety of data are used, including biographies, mail surveys, interviews with scientists, and documentary and archival sources. %%% This research will contribute to the sociological understanding of science, Chinese society, and comparative science policies. In addition to the scientific gains to be achieved by the research, this award will materially assist a highly promising student in completing research for the Ph.D. dissertation. It contributes to international understanding and the thorough training of the next generation of social scientists.