985 Project

The 985 Project is a Chinese government initiative launched in 1998 to elevate certain universities to world-class standards. It provides targeted funding and resources to improve academic research, faculty quality, and infrastructure. The goal is to develop a group of top universities that can compete internationally, enhance China's higher education reputation, and support national modernization and innovation. Selection is based on research output, faculty excellence, and overall institutional strength. The project has significantly improved participating universities’ global rankings and academic influence.