BEIJING -- More than a dozen cases of scientific fraud over the past year were exposed by the National Natural Science Foundation of China on Tuesday.

Seventeen scientists were involved in 16 fraud cases, with violations ranging from plagiarism, stealing research results to forging academic degrees and papers, according a statement by the foundation.

Almost all the involved scientists have had their research programs revoked and funds allocated for their programs have been retrieved. All 17 are banned from applying for funding from the foundation for the next three to seven years.

The foundation said it has dealt with 227 cases of scientific violations in recent five years, with 195 people punished and 74 research projects revoked.