Abstract: This paper proposed the definition and scope of S&T social organizations, studied the thoughts on developing the organizations in China. S&T social organizations constitute the social layer of innovation, help form socialized innovation network, participate in S&T evaluation, and provide innovation-related public services missed by the government. The construction of national innovation system and state-society adjustment will lead S&T organizations in China into a new stage of development. While scatters of S&T social organizations have appeared, most of them are still in a spontaneous state. Forward-looking institutional design and guidance are thus needed. In helping them, the government must guarantee the social nature of S&T social organizations and make full use of existing social networks. The operation of S&T social organizations need diverse funding source and the government's categorized guidance.

Key words: S&T social organization, socialized innovation network, social nature